Jersey can claim to be among the more underappreciated UK travel destinations. But if you venture there are the right time of year, you can expect to find many of the same features that draw so many to the Mediterranean, year after year. There are long sunkissed beaches, gorgeous castles, and a number of sites of particular historical significance.
Best of all, you can reach the island by ferry, and therefore take the car over for a whistlestop tour. You might even get yourself insured for a day and share driving duties with the other members of your party.
There are a few destinations on the island which might justly be thought of as ‘must visit’.
Historic Castles
Three castles stand out as worth visiting. The ruins of Groznez Castle can be found on the island’s northwest corner. It was used to repel French invaders in the 15th century, but fell into ruin shortly afterwards.
Elizabeth Castle, on the other hand, is rather more intact – it sits on an island in the middle of St Aubin’s Bay, and has been instrumental in keeping the island safe for more than four centuries. There’s even a costumed tour guide to give tourists an overview of the site and its history.
Finally, there’s Mont Orgueil (or ‘Mount Pride’) which overlooks the harbour in Gorey. This is the island’s main fortress, and it was in use right up until the end of the Second World War.
Jersey War Tunnels
The War Tunnels provide an unparalleled insight into what life on the island was like during the Second World War. The Germans (with the help of slave labour) built a kilometre of tunnels on the island, and they’re all intact and ready to explore.
Jersey Zoo
Jersey Zoo is home to a selection of great apes, birds, amphibians and reptiles. If you’re on the island and have even a passing interest in animal life, then it makes sense to plan a visit.
St Brelade Beach
If you’re heading to the island during summer, or if you’re here for watersports, then a visit to St. Brelade’s Bay should be considered obligatory. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to indulge in, alongside surfing and sunbathing. Do your research, and enjoy some of the restaurants that line the seafront while you’re in the vicinity. What could be better than seafood while you’re by the sea?
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