Staycation Mini Series: Jersey

I feel like Jersey is really underappreciated as a Staycation destination. It's so incredibly beautiful and because it's a separate island to mainland UK it really feels like being abroad!

As with all of these Staycation guides, this is definitely not all there is to see and do in Jersey, it's just the places we enjoyed, but hopefully it's a start if you want to know more about the island. As always, the key places are linked, which will hopefully be helpful if you're planning a trip of your own.

There are two ways to get to Jersey from mainland Great Britain. You can either fly, or get the ferry. Both have their ups and downs (literally in the case of the ferry...) Our ferry experience was definitely negative. Our planned sailing on the way out was cancelled due to bad weather and even once we could sail, it was sooo choppy I don't think there was a single person on board not being sick... On the way back though the weather was gorgeous and we even got to see some dolphins! The biggest advantage to getting the ferry is that you can take your car! Having a car on the island is perfect as you can drive from one side to the other so quickly and it makes it easy to explore the many places around the island! Plus there's some stunning scenic coastal drives! Of course flying may be more expensive, but you could rent a car once you get on the island. And you wouldn't have to deal with the sea sickness...

On balance if we were to go back, I'd definitely go for the flying and car rental option!

The first thing worth mentioning is that buying a Jersey Heritage Pass is a very good idea! It gives you access to all the major places on the island and works out at being great value. The places included are:

Mont Orgueil Castle

This is such a cool place with lots of hidden rooms and staircases to explore! They have a great children's trail and there are people that walk around in costume with great stories to tell from the history of the site (at least they were there when we went!). Possibly the most incredible thing though, are the views from the castle over the port of Gorey and you can even see France!

Elizabeth Castle

Elizabeth Castle is really cool because it's set on an island that you can only walk to when the tide's low. Don't worry though you're not going to get stuck, they have a ferry to take you out or bring you back when the tide's high. And the ferry is included in your Heritage Pass! Make sure you check the tide times before your visit because it's really cool to walk one way and then get the ferry the other. Again, the castle has some stunning views and is a really great place to explore!

Occupational Tapestry

The Occupational Tapestry is a key part of Jersey's history, with pieces woven by Jersey's residents to celebrate the liberation from German armed forces during WWII. There's some incredible stories told by the people who experienced it first hand.

Maritime Museum

Right next door to the Occupational Tapestry you've got the Maritime Museum which has exhibits on everything from navigating the seas to how to design the perfect ship! There's loads of interactive elements which makes it great for all ages!

The Heritage Pass also gives you access to the La Hougue Bie Museum, Hamptone Country Life Museum, Jersey Museum and Art Gallery and the Jersey Archive! We ran out of time to visit these places, but as you can see there's so much included in the pass so it's definitely good value for money! We were so fortunate with good weather throughout our stay, but if the weather had been worse, we would have definitely spent more time in museums!

Visiting Jersey Pearl is such a great thing to do if you do get a rainy day. They have free tours telling you all about how pearls are farmed and how their unique jewelry is created. Plus they have a cafe with some incredible views and amazing cream tea!

As mentioned above, there's some really beautiful drives around the island. One of these is to Corbiere Lighthouse. When the tide's low you can walk straight out to the light house. If not you'll have to enjoy it from the shore. Either way it's stunning! This is a great link for planning a road trip in Jersey.

The Island also has some gorgeous beaches! We stayed at a quiet little holiday park which was so perfect for us! We had our own space to cook and relax with the added benefits of a pool and restaurant on site. There was also a sports centre with tennis, table tennis, badminton and other indoor games. The park had links with an activity rental company by the beach which was amazing as it meant we could go kayaking and paddleboarding! The weather was fab all week which was an added bonus!

Of course there's also the Island's capital: St Helier. With lots of cute restaurants, cafes and shops it's a great place to spend the day! Plus enjoy some shopping that's VAT free!

It's pretty unbelievable just how much there is to see and do on such a small island! We were there for a week and spent every day exploring, but still didn't have time to visit everything! If/when we go again, the one place in particular I would love to visit is the Jersey War Tunnels.

Ok so bringing this little guide to a close, I hope it's been useful for you! I would honestly recommend Jersey to anyone looking for something a little different that's not too far away from the UK! There's so much to do for both adults and children and the island has some incredible history and heritage to share!

As always, if you have any questions or are interested in booking your own trip to Jersey, drop me a message for some exclusive tips and deals! 💙

Make sure you check out the other posts in this Staycation series by clicking here.