Explore Jersey

Things to do

• Jersey War Tunnels - We have visited this exhibition more than once and each time find something we missed the time before. Before James lived here we didn't know how the island was occupied during the Second World War. This place tells that story. If you visit only one tourist attraction while in Jersey, make it this one. Try to find out how they managed without real coffee and what a Jerry Bag was.

• Jersey Zoo - It amazed us when we visited the zoo how big it is, how many different animals live there and how much history the zoo has through the work of Gerald Durrell. It is most famous for its gorillas.

• Mont Orgueil Castle, Gorey - We toured this castle together on James' first weekend in Jersey. He repeated the visit alone on his final day living in Jersey. There are many rooms and staircases to explore with interesting exhibits, including an incredible image of the late Queen.

• La Corbière lighthouse - For James there is no view in Jersey more beautiful than this. He has literally hundreds of photographs of it in all weathers and a professional photo lives on our living room wall. At low tide you can walk across a causeway to the lighthouse but be careful not to get cut off by the rising tide.

• St Catherine's Pier - We have walked this pier together in all weathers. When James was here alone in the pandemic he would visit here and remember the walks we have shared here. It's glorious on a sunny day and bleak in a storm. Buy an ice cream from the cafe to walk with but make sure you ask for a large one. Check your phone at the end to see if it has switched to French time.

• La Mare Wine Estate - Jersey makes very tasty wine and a host of other products including its famous black butter (think less of butter, more of a cross between apple jam and Christmas mincemeat). You can sample and buy them here - but be careful if you only have hand luggage to get items home.

• Elizabeth Castle - Sitting on an islet just off St Helier, you can get here by foot at low tide and by amphibious vehicle at high tide. If you only have time for one castle, the one at Gorey is better, but this one still has an interesting exhibition and the novelty vehicle to get there.

• Samarès Manor - Botanical gardens that we enjoyed exploring on a hot summer's day enjoying leisurely walks through the beautiful plants. A very relaxing way to spend some time with a cafe for refreshments.

• Havre Des Pas lido - We have bravely taken a dip in the sea-filled lido several times, most often in summer but James even managed it one December. The temperature in September is much nicer. Beware the very slippery steps to get into the water.

• Groznez Castle - Technically Jersey has a third castle. These days there's just an archway left but this is another favourite photo spot for the view through the archway to Guernsey, Sark and Alderney. This would be another of James' favourite lockdown walks.

• Maritime Museum - On the waterfront in St Helier, this was one of the final attractions we discovered before James returned home. It's a lively museum but most impressive is the free exhibit here which is a series of tapestries commemorating the island's liberation at the end of the war.

For more ideas go to www.visitJersey.com

Places to eat

• Noya Shapla - The best curry house, in our opinion, in Jersey. It is a half hour walk around the bay from St Helier, but there is a bus to get there too. It is not cheap but the food is excellent and if you enjoy a mild curry try the Marengo Special with chicken which is a deliciously creamy dish with mango.

• Caffe Ristorante Italia - From the outside this Italian in St Helier is easy to overlook, but the food is excellent, it is very good value and the house wine both cheap and extremely drinkable. We have enjoyed many a night getting tipsy here sampling the house red wine.

• El Tico - Soak up the chilled out beach vibes at this beachfront restaurant at St Ouen's (pronounced WONN'S) Bay. It is genuinely world famous. This was where we ate together with friends on the last weekend before Covid arrived in March 2020 and remains a first choice for a leisurely brunch.

• The Kiosk - We love this small yellow kiosk on St Aubin's Bay because it does really great burgers and chips at good value. It reminds us of the evenings Lloyd would fly in for a visit, arriving while James was still at work, and they would manage a quick takewaway tea here as a break in James' shift.

• Pizza Quarter - If you want a takeaway pizza, this is the place. There's a hut right next door to The Kiosk but they have another takeaway in Gorey and also do delivery. This would be our 'go-to' for a quiet night in James' flat when we didn't want to cook.

• Colleen's Cafe - A favourite drive to the north coast would take us to Greve de Lecq, a beautiful red sandy beach with a large cafe that serves tasty food overlooking the bay and on a good day on to other islands.

Beaches to visit

• St Aubin's Bay - Large bay spanning St Helier and St Aubin. Nice to look at and good for walking but probably not a favourite for sunbathing.

• St Brelade's Bay - A tourist favourite with nice sand for sunbathing and sea for swimming. Can be busy. It joins onto Ouaisne (pronounced WAY-NAY) to make a larger beach at low tide but at low tide the only way between is a walk through woods.

• Portelet Bay - A favourite for us as we got engaged here. There are around 200 steps to walk down to get there but it's beautiful because it's small and the beach bar pizza restaurant is very tasty.

• St Ouen's Bay - Five mile beach is huge and blustery which is why it's great for surfing. Nice for long walks, paddling in the sea and swimming on a hot day.

• Plemont - A long walk down from the car park, this would be inaccessible without the metal steps and walkway which makes it feel all the more special when you get down to the sand.

• Royal Bay of Grouville - Picture postcard views of Mont Orgueil castle and pleasant for sunbathing and paddling.

• Green Island/Grève d'Azzette - The tide moves faster in this corner of the island than anyhere else uncovering spectacular rock formations that make it look like you are on the moon.

Useful Information

• Emergency Services - In an emergency call 999 or 112 and you will be able to contact the States of Jersey Police, Fire and Ambulance.

• Jersey General Hospital - The main hospital with A&E department is in St Helier and is marked on the map and has the What3Words location ///enforced.future.mocking

• Jersey Airport - The airport is also marked on the map and has the What3Words location ///vending.remedied.hugely