Jersey Holidays

French flair and hallmarks of home

Jersey can’t seem to make its mind up about whether it fancies following French or British themes. Road signs and menus are mostly in French, but you’ll hear locals chattering in English and see them driving on the left. What’s not up for debate is the island’s impressive coastal scenery – steep craggy cliffs are full of sleepy fishing villages, and there’s a Cornish feel to the pretty coves and bays. It’s the biggest of the Channel Islands, and the capital – St Helier – is an up-and-comer – expect edgy street food vendors, lush boutiques and a fancy marina.

Get back to nature

Fun fact: Jersey almost doubles in size at low tide. It has one of the largest tidal differences in the world, revealing a landscape of jagged rocks and pools at La Rocque Harbour. Take a stroll here after dark and you’ll see a greeny-blue glow thanks to the tiny glow worms that live in the water – it’s called bioluminescence and people travel to places like New Zealand to see this. In the day, take to the north’s granite cliffs for a coastal walk and spectacular views out over the Channel Islands. Being the sunniest spot in the British Isles, Jersey has its own microclimate that brings the landscape to life with the purple Jersey orchid from May to June.

A whole lot of history

This whole French/English thing started somewhere. Jersey was part of the Duchy of Normandy until it sided with King John in 1204 and has fought off a few French invasions since. Grand Mont Orgueil Castle comes complete with a dress-up box to tell you all about it, and the Jersey Museum is attached to a restored Victorian house to replicate just what life was like here in the 19th Century. For a high-seas adventure, take the ferry across to Elizabeth Castle and you can catch the firing of the midday cannon.