Responsible tourism in Jersey
Are you on or in? That is the question. Some local Jersey people talk about living on Jersey and others talk about living in it. There doesn’t seem to be much of a difference, although there is no doubt that when you land on Jersey, you are most definitely landing on an island. Jersey may be the largest of the Channel Islands, but the sense of water all around has a powerful effect, its maritime climate softening some of the edges and roughing up others. And every island has its sustainability issues. So, if you remember that you are actually ‘on’ Jersey, you are more likely to be a responsible tourist, as islands are rarely without issues.
Our top Jersey Vacation
Jersey self guided walking tours, The Channel Islands
Walking vacation on Jersey in the Channel Islands
From
£994 to £1414
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This vacation can be booked from the 1st March to 31st October each year
This vacation can be booked from the 1st March to 31st October each year
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Responsible tourism tips
Wildlife & conservation
Protecting versus developing land
Drooling over millionaire mansions on Jersey could almost be considered part of the tourist trail. Big houses really took off during the sixties when the financial sector started to bring in riches. It was an era of cash over conservation really. But Jersey started to wake up to the dangers of overdevelopment just in time, some might even say a little late for some areas – especially those who fought unsuccessfully to stop an eyesore apartment development overlooking the beautiful Portelet Bay on the south coast. Which, from the ferry approach into St Helier, looks slightly more like pillage than planning.But there is generally a strong sense of protecting land here, perhaps due to its history of occupation, which goes back way beyond the most recent one of World War II. Much was lost over the years due to such occupations and invasions, yet this small island is still home to natural riches – riches which also need investment, shareholders and marketing to survive.
What you can do:
Check out the Sites of Special Interest (SSIs) which range from the ancient St Catherine’s Woods on the northeast coast, to Les Landes, the maritime heathland on the northwest coast. Visit them and spread the conservation word. Because even in rich countries, conservationists have to battle with the powers that be to protect land, and when tourists give it the seal of approval, so does the state.
A good example of this is at St Ouen’s Pond, a wetland on the west coast which you could easily fly past on your bike, distracted by the white sands of St Ouen’s Bay beside it. But this peaceful place is home to everything from orchids to owls, kestrels to cuckoo flowers. St Ouen’s Pond is also part of the island’s first Coastal National Park, which was designated in July 2011, but somewhat bizarrely is not being shouted about in tourist circles. But it does exist, and along with it comes much tighter planning restrictions. One organisation that does promote the park is The National Trust for Jersey, so keep an eye on their site for more details. It’s a Channel Island catwalk of biodiverse beauties, but unless they tell people about it, it’s like this bevvy is all dressed up with nowhere to go.
Check out the Sites of Special Interest (SSIs) which range from the ancient St Catherine’s Woods on the northeast coast, to Les Landes, the maritime heathland on the northwest coast. Visit them and spread the conservation word. Because even in rich countries, conservationists have to battle with the powers that be to protect land, and when tourists give it the seal of approval, so does the state.
A good example of this is at St Ouen’s Pond, a wetland on the west coast which you could easily fly past on your bike, distracted by the white sands of St Ouen’s Bay beside it. But this peaceful place is home to everything from orchids to owls, kestrels to cuckoo flowers. St Ouen’s Pond is also part of the island’s first Coastal National Park, which was designated in July 2011, but somewhat bizarrely is not being shouted about in tourist circles. But it does exist, and along with it comes much tighter planning restrictions. One organisation that does promote the park is The National Trust for Jersey, so keep an eye on their site for more details. It’s a Channel Island catwalk of biodiverse beauties, but unless they tell people about it, it’s like this bevvy is all dressed up with nowhere to go.
More about Jersey
There is no best time to go to Jersey really, with mild temperatures all year round, although with its island location, the weather can be unpredictable.
Jersey is a gem. Well actually, it’s like a melange of gemstones melted into one, as this Jersey travel guide aims to show you.
There are many Jersey highlights, but one of its greatest is that it is so small.
If sea swimming is your thing, then that will be top of your list of things to do in Jersey, with a beach at the end of every lane.
It’s not hard to see the appeal of Jersey walking vacations. Stunning coastal walks and pleasant inland trails too; lovely weather most of the year and abundant places to break up your hike.
Traveling in Jersey with kids is Enid Blyton, Swallows and Amazons, Hardy Boys and of course Gerald Durrell all rolled into one.
Our Jersey travel tips go into more detail on the island's classic walking terrain including a fantastic coastal route, oodles of delicious, fresh local produce available, and a fascinating history especially with its role in World War II.
