Best things to do in Jersey

The beaches

With palm-fringed pale sand and turquoise water, you could easily believe you’ve been transported somewhere tropical, rather than a short flight from the UK mainland. You’re never more than a 10-minute drive from the coast while you’re on Jersey, so it’s easy to beach hop and discover your own favourite. St Brelade’s Bay and Green Island Beach are two of the most popular, with long stretches of golden sand. Or there are watersports to try if you prefer something more active; surfers should head to St Ouen’s Bay, while you can try sea kayaking at various points around the island, along with coasteering and wakeboarding for some serious adrenaline thrills.

St Ouen's Bay

For a beach with its own legend, Bouley Bay was reputedly home to the fiendish Black Dog – actually a myth created by smugglers to keep people away from the bay, to avoid their activities coming to light. The deep waters which made it possible mean that taking a dip here is only for strong swimmers.

Do watch out for the tides: Jersey has the 3rd largest tidal range in the world, with the island almost doubling in size at low tide, so be sure not to get caught as the tide comes in again.

Go cycling

Jersey stands out for its impressive network of Green Lanes, a series of routes crossing the island which are designed for cyclists, walkers and horses. Set away from main roads, they often follow the coast or quieter country lanes, so you needn’t worry too much about traffic either. Route 1 traces the coastline all around the island, with some wonderful views and pretty villages to stop at, or follow the old railway track to La Corbière Lighthouse, while the east coast route leads to Seymour Tower, one of the 18th century watchtowers built on the coast after a failed invasion by the French.

And Jersey National Park covers around 16% of the island, so you won’t be short of lovely corners to explore. Even better, it’s easy to hire e-bikes to tackle the island’s hills, so you can explore further without quite as much effort.

Explore St Helier

Save time to wander through the island’s capital, St Helier, from its busy harbour to the Victorian Central Market and waterfront gardens, Les Jardins de la Mer, with their water maze.

The town is also home to the Jersey Museum, Art Gallery & Victorian House, with a chance to learn more about Jersey’s history, including a look at its farming industry and some archive footage of the early years of tourism, before exploring the restored Victorian House. Or head to the Maritime Museum, home to the Occupation Tapestry, made by the people of Jersey to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the island’s liberation.

Elizabeth Castle

And don’t leave without visiting Elizabeth Castle, named for Elizabeth I, which dates from the late 16th century. You’ll need to take a ferry or walk along the causeway at low tide to reach the island fortress, built when Sir Walter Raleigh was Governor of Jersey. The oldest part is where Saint Helier is thought to have lived, in around 550CE, while the castle also gave refuge to the future Charles II and was later refortified by the Germans during the Occupation in the Second World War.

Mont Orgueil

This 13th century castle overlooks the fishing village of Gorey, built in the early 13th century when King John lost control of English territories in Normandy and needed to protect the island against the French. Later replaced as the first line of defence by Elizabeth Castle in St Helier, you can look out to the French mainland from Mont Orgueil, standing next to wooden soldiers still guarding the battlements; climb almost 200 steps to the top of the castle for some of the best views. Or explore the towers, secret rooms and network of staircases to learn more stories of life in the castle over the past 800 years.

Mont Orgueil Castle

The Jersey War Tunnels

Around 1,000 metres of tunnels were built using slave labour after the German army invaded Jersey in June 1940, excavating huge quantities of rock and creating an underground network designed to be a barracks and ammunition store. Today, the Jersey War Tunnels are home to a museum sharing the story of this dark chapter of Jersey’s history, while you can also see the Ho8 tunnel on tours of the tunnels, converted into an underground hospital.

Channel Islands Military Museum

For those interested in wartime history, the Channel Island Military Museum in St Helier is unmissable. Housed in a Second World War Bunker, which once formed part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defences, you can see rooms of artefacts from both the occupying Nazi forces and local inhabitants, helping to tell the story of the five-year German occupation.

Discover Neolithic sites

For such a small island, there’s plenty for history lovers beyond its wartime and medieval past. La Hougue Bie is a Neolithic site that’s among the 10 oldest buildings in the world, and considered one of the oldest in Europe. One of a string of Stone Age sites dotted around the island, you can step into the ancient burial chamber and see a Celtic coin hoard among other treasures unearthed on the island.

Samarès Manor

Set just outside St Helier, Samarès Manor is famous for its peaceful botanic gardens. Created in the 1920s, the 14 acres of gardens are home to some unique plant collections which thrive in the mild climate on Jersey. Explore the Japanese garden, the walled garden with its beehives and the herb garden, before visiting the museum, along with the plant centre and shop.

Samares Manor gardens

Eric Young Orchid Foundation

Keen gardeners shouldn’t miss a visit to the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, a centre dedicated to orchids, with a chance to see some of the eye-catching blooms grown by the Chelsea Flower Show gold medallists. As well as strolling through the gardens, you can learn more about the orchid hybrids which their experts have created.

St Matthew’s Church

Built in the 1840s to save parishioners making the long uphill walk to the ancient parish church of St Lawrence, St Matthew’s is famous for the spectacular glasswork added later by René Lalique. Now also known as the Glass Church, you can see Lalique’s creations on the font, altar and cross – no similar Lalique commission survives anywhere else in the world today.

Jersey Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Centre

Naturalist Gerald Durrell lived on Jersey for most of his adult life, moving here in the 1950s and founding Jersey Zoo. Home to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, you can discover more about their work to help threatened species and promote rewilding, as well as seeing the 1,400 mammals, birds, reptile and amphibians living in the 32-acre site. Known for its successful gorilla breeding programme, watching these great apes is a highlight, but you can also spot 130 endangered species including Sumatran orangutans and Andean bears.

Jersey Pearl Centre

There’s a chance to learn more about pearls and even pick your own to be made into jewellery at the Jersey Pearl Centre. During a visit, find out how pearls are graded and what makes them unique, or see jewellery being made in the workrooms, before browsing for a memorable souvenir to take home.

Indulge in Jersey food and drink

Jersey’s fertile soil and mild climate has made it famous for its food and drink, and you shouldn’t leave without indulging in at least a couple of local products. The coffee-coloured Jersey cows can be seen browsing around the island, their milk creating the delicious Jersey cream as well as ice cream and butter. Meanwhile Jersey Royal potatoes have their own Protected Designation of Origin guarantee.

Or enjoy wine-tasting at La Mare Vineyard alongside your cream tea. The vineyard also makes Royal Gin, using those famous potatoes, and cider, a legacy of the days when the majority of local agriculture was dedicated to growing apples. Don’t miss a taste of Jersey black butter, which uses more of those apples along with spices, and is completely dairy-free.

Enjoy a Jersey touring holiday to discover the island's best bits and enjoy its laid-back way of life. You'll also enjoy a few days at leisure to explore at your own pace.