Things to do in Jersey

An island community, particularly one in such a strategic position as Jersey, needs strong defences. The handful of castles on Jersey are some of the coastline’s most iconic structures, from the ruins of 14th century Groznez Castle in St. Ouen (which appears on the 50p coin), to Elizabeth Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh while he was governor here on a tidal island off St. Helier, and of course Mont Orgueil Castle, overlooking Gorey harbour. Now one of Jersey’s most prominent visitor attractions, Mont Orgueil has been well-restored, and you can climb the turrets, meet the Master at Arms, and stand shoulder to shoulder on the battlements facing France with wooden soldiers.

A dark antidote to Jersey’s escapist vibe, the Jersey War Tunnels offer a shocking glimpse of reality. The museum is housed in an underground hospital, which is surrounded by tunnels hewn under hellish conditions by some 60,000 slaves who were brought in from Spain, Russia, and Ukraine during the German occupation. Those who fell were simply replaced by yet more slaves. An estimated 10,000 bodies are buried in the walls. At the beginning of the tour, you are given one of the slave’s identity cards to carry round with you – at the end you will discover what happened to that person. Thought-provoking, chilling and gripping, you can take time to contemplate the past when you finish the tour in the Garden of Reflection.

Jersey is little short of paradise for walkers, despite its size: only 15km by 8km. The island is criss-crossed with peaceful country lanes and wooded valleys; there are beach walks, circuits around picturesque reservoirs and of course stunning coastline. The 78km coastal footpath makes for an idyllic self-guided route, taking you across a rich variety of terrain from sea cliffs covered in heath to attractive fishing harbours and golden sandy bays. Best walked in spring, summer or autumn when the weather will be most inviting, the route requires no special equipment and is suitable to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. It is dotted with historic castles and lighthouses, remnants of the German occupation, churches and friendly communities where you can grab a delicious bite to eat. If you want to discover Jersey’s fascinating culture and history as well as some of its most stunning landscapes, there’s no better way than on foot.