There are plenty of things to see and do in Jersey, a beautiful island in the English Channel. It is a wonderful way to spend a few days or a long weekend, the perfect compliment to a longer holiday in the UK, or as a weekend break if you are UK based.
I am told that Jersey has plenty to offer in all seasons, and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Jersey in the spring. November to March is the “off-season” and there are less visitors. This does mean that some attractions and restaurants are closed, however we still found plenty of things to see and do in Jersey in March, as well as lots of lovely places to eat.
The Weather in Jersey
Temperatures were a bit milder than those at home in England, lows around 8°C (46°F) and highs of about 14°C (57°F). Apparently this is a very mild spring in Jersey, and temperatures can be a bit cooler year on year. Of course, there is generally a breeze of the sea, so when it comes to packing, layers are a very good idea. We did have some rain as well, particularly on our first full day, when it was quite persistent.
During our visit in March, the hills were covered the lush foliage of the island’s ever popular Jersey Royal potatoes, growing in the steep hillside fields (called côtils) which allow them to get the maximum amount of sunshine possible. There were daffodils everywhere, and camellias of all different colours growing on bushes bigger than I have ever seen before. The landscape is absolutely lush with vegetation and greenery.
Where is Jersey?
Jersey is located in the English Channel, closer to France than to England. On a clear day, you can see the coast of France from the Jersey coastline. It is just 22 kilometres (14 miles) away, with England is 137 kilometres (85 miles) to the north.
There are so many things to see and do in Jersey, even though it is a very small island. It is 119.5 kilometres (just over 74 miles) square, just 8 kilometres (5 miles) long and 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) wide. On the second day of our trip, we drove around the island in a day, with plenty of stops for sightseeing.
Arriving in Jersey
Jersey is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, so as British citizens, we did not have to go through immigration when we arrived at the airport. If you live outside the “Common Area” of The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland and the UK, you would need to go through customs. However, there are unlikely to be long queues as the airport is quite small.
You can also get to Jersey from the UK by ferry from Poole or Portsmouth.
Things To See and Do In Jersey – Getting Around
Our hotel concierge told us that taxis can be a bit hit and miss, although they did recommend Jersey’s buses. However, we both love to drive, so we decided to rent (hire) a car.
After collecting the keys from a lockbox using our code, we walked a short distance to collect our hire car. It was a black Toyota Yaris, which we came to affectionately refer to as “712” because of the last three numbers of its license plate. At first, we felt 712 might be a bit small for our needs, but all our luggage fit in and once we saw the width of many of the roads, we were very grateful for his compact size!
Where to Stay in Jersey
We stayed at the beautiful Longueville Manor in St Saviour, just under 30 minutes from the airport. This historic hotel, set in beautiful gardens, is friendly and cosy. They even have a resident cat! The staff are friendly and professional, and we were always addressed by name.
My husband treated us to one of the most beautiful rooms in the hotel, the Longueville Suite. A short walk up the main staircase of the hotel led us to another small flight of stairs with the door to our suite at the top. On opening the door we found ourselves in a lovely entry way, part of the hall leading into the main room. There was a bathroom the size of a bedroom on the right as we came in, with a double vanity, walk in shower, and a very large bathtub in the centre.
The hallway led into opened up in to a bedroom and sitting room with a fireplace, sofa and chairs and small dining table. Our room had views out to the garden, which was full of beautiful camellia bushes. The four poster bed had a mattress so thick and plush, there was a stool tucked under it to help those on the shorter side (like me) to get up into bed.
Our breakfast was included and consisted of two courses. The first was a sort of continental starting course with fruit, homemade granolas, pastries and fresh yogurts. Then we had a choice of hot main dishes and of course, a full English breakfast. My favourites included the feather light scrambled eggs, the homemade granola and fresh Jersey yogurt.
Longueville Manor offers all day dining, with light meals available in the friendly and cosy bar, which also offers a wide range of drinks and cocktails. We at in the dining room at Longueville Manor the first evening, enjoying local seafood and freshly dug Jersey Royal potatoes with lots of fresh, local vegetables. The extensive, two-layer cheese trolley was like something out of a cheese lover’s dream, with a selection of almost every type of cheese imaginable. They also have a very good wine list at all price points.
Things to See and Do In Jersey – Where to Eat
Jersey is paradise for anyone who loves fresh, well prepared food and the huge variety of restaurants make it a real foodie paradise. Not surprisingly, the seafood in Jersey is outstanding. We ate at a number of restaurants and cafés in addition to Longueville Manor during our four night visit. I shared some of my favourite restaurants in Jersey in this article.
Things To See and Do In Jersey
Take a drive
As I mentioned before, Jersey is a small island but there is plenty to see. One day we drove all round the island in a day, stopping at various points along the way. On another, we drove a little further inland. Our mini excursions were fun, albeit a bit hair-raising at times on some of the very narrow roads. (Think the width of a small car called 712 with nothing to spare – and on one occasion there was a sheer drop to the sea on my side of the car!)
Go To The Beach
One of the most popular things to see and do in Jersey, there are definitely plenty of beaches to choose from! We stopped at several beaches on our drives around the island. The tide always seemed to be a very long way out, regardless of what time of day we visited but the views were wonderful.
This is the beach at La Rocque. You can see the Mont Orgueil Castle in the distance.
The beach at Les Laveurs is quite rocky. The clouds were definitely rolling in; we just managed to get back to the car in time!
Go Walking
When it comes to things to see and do in Jersey, one of the easiest is to take a self-guided walking tour. Guided tours are also available. It is a wonderful way to see all the beautiful coastline and countryside. Many of the city centres are very historic. Next time I would like to take the Occupation to Liberation Tour of St Helier. There is so much history in this little island!
Explore Mont Orgueil Castle
At over 800 years old, Mont Orgueil Castle has seen a lot of history, including the Norman Conquest and the French Invasion. It is a real symbol of Jersey’s history and long standing connection to the British Crown. We arrived just in time for one of the tours which is included in the price of admission, and I am so glad we did. Despite the howling gale and occasional driving rain, our guide gave us a thoroughly enjoyable tour of the castle, and his passion for his subject clearly shone through.
Channel Islands Military Museum and Jersey War Tunnels
Tunnels, bunkers and sentry towers scattered across the landscape mean that memories of World War 2 are ever present in Jersey. The island was occupied by the Germans during the war, meaning residents faced many hardships, memories of which have been passed down through the generations.
The Channel Islands Military Museum is open from April to October, so we were too early to visit, but we did see the outside. As I am a bit claustrophobic I was relieved that the Jersey War Tunnels were also closed until after our visit.
Visit La Mare Wine Estate
The La Mare Wine Estate has many strings to its bow. As well as all kinds of wine, the La Mer Wine Estate also makes cider and distills Apple Brandy and Gin. They have huge kitchens where they produce all manner of treats, including chocolate, fudge, and Jersey Black Butter, a rich, spicy, local preserve that can be used as a sweet or savoury spread, as a chutney or in cooking.
It was fun to go behind the scenes in the winery and distillery to learn more about the products that are made there. We took the Classic Tour and thoroughly enjoyed our experience with our knowledgeable local guide. We tasted a few of La Mare’s wines, spirits and treats; my favourites were the Saint Marie White wine, which reminded me of a French Sauvignon Blanc, and the Jersey Apple Brandy. On a fine day you can stroll through the vineyard and orchard as well. There is also a café if you fancy coffee, a snack or afternoon tea.
Visit Sir Winston Churchill Park
Located in St Brelade’s Bay, Sir Winston Churchill Park is a well maintained park with flowers, trees, a waterfall and some amazing views over the bay. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here.
Your Visit to Jersey
There are so many things to see and do in Jersey, I feel like my husband and I have barely scratched the surface! I would definitely consider returning to the island for another visit. If you are planning a visit to Jersey, we found the Visit Jersey website incredibly helpful (not sponsored, just saying!). Everyone we came across was very friendly and happy to share their ideas for things to see and do in Jersey. I also recommend asking your hotel concierge for recommendations as we found that invaluable as well.
If you do visit Jersey, I hope you will have as relaxing and restorative a time as we did!
This post contains my honest opinions and the advice I give to friends. None of our experiences were gifted and we paid all our own expenses. Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing and I accept no responsibility for, nor can I be held liable for, your experience at any of these venues. Most of the restaurants and activities mentioned will need to be booked in advance. Visit restaurant and venue websites for opening times, their full terms and conditions, and to check prices, availability and payment terms.
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