Our tips for a great
getaway in... Jersey Channel Islands
Jersey is an island of surprises. It’s only nine miles by five with a population of just 90,000 people, but it has the sophistication, the shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions of a large city. It also has beautiful countryside, stunning cliff scenery and wonderful sandy beaches within a few minutes’ drive of large office blocks and bank buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in the City of London. So it’s not surprising that Jersey has been attracting visitors for a couple of centuries now, although these days people visit Jersey for many different reasons – and not just the traditional sun and sand holiday.
bestnew watersport: Stand-up paddling Jersey is a great place to try a sport you may never have heard of: coasteering. The guys at Pure Adventure (www.purejersey.com) can get you started so you’ll be scrambling around a rocky headland, swimming through caves and jumping between cliffs in no time. But there’s an even newer sport to reach the Island – stand-up paddling. You stand on a long-board and use a long-handled paddle to propel yourself towards the waves – which means you can catch more of them. It adds a whole new dimension to surfing, which is also very popular in the waters around Jersey. Where >Stand-up paddling, Active Island Sports, Wayside Slip, St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey, Tel: +44 (0)7797 717 564. Website > www.activeislandsports.com
bestunusual walk: seabed walk at low tide There are literally hundreds of miles of cliff paths, green lanes (where pedestrians have priority) and country walks in Jersey, but perhaps the most unusual walk is a walk on the seabed – at low tide of course. The walk takes place on the rugged south-east coast, where a huge area of rocky terrain is uncovered at low tide (the area of Jersey almost doubles at low tide). You can explore rock pools and crevices which were covered by 40 feet of ocean just a couple of hours before, and get to the offshore Icho and Seymour Towers which are surrounded by deep water at high tide. An experienced guide is advisable – Jersey Walk Adventures organises walks that last approximately 2½ hours. Website > www.jerseywalkadventures.co.uk
bestmuseum: Maritime Museum Jersey is an island of museums, but the Maritime Museum, housed in converted cargo stores at St Helier harbour, is probably most relevant to Jersey’s past. Centuries of seafaring is depicted in exhibitions of boats, equipment, relics and interactive displays including many from the period when Islanders thought little of getting in their boats and sailing off to the cod fisheries off Newfoundland. The Island also had a thriving boat building industry, and the museum includes a boat shop where boat builders work on restoring various craft. Where >Maritime Museum, New North Quay, St Helier, Jersey, Tel: +44 (0)1534 633372. Website > www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
bestattraction for gardeners: The Eric Young Orchid Foundation Jersey is well-known for its flowers (if you’re there in August be sure to experience the fantastic Battle of Flowers parade), and there are many beautiful gardens, but one of the most interesting attractions is the Eric Young Orchid Foundation. This houses one of the best collections of this “Royal Family of Plants” in the world. Founded by wealthy philanthropist Eric Young in 1958, the foundation breeds new plants which consistently win top awards at exhibitions such as the Chelsea Flower Show. The display house is open every day except Monday and Tuesday. Where >The Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Victoria Village, Trinity, Jersey, Tel: +44 (0)1534 861 963. Website > www.ericyoungorchidfoundation.co.uk
bestalfresco eating: Thai Dicq Shack There aren’t many places in the world where you can enjoy Thai food while sitting on the beach… except perhaps Thailand. But in Jersey, the Thai Dicq Shack serves genuine Thai food (the staff are Thai) and you can eat your red coconut curry or your “suicidal hot” jungle curry on the adjacent beach. Where >Thai Dicq Shack, Dicq Slipway, St Clement, Jersey, Tel: +44 (0)1534 730273. Website > www.thaidicqshack.com
bestsouvenir: Catherine Best jewellery You can buy unique walking sticks made locally out of giant cabbage plants, but there’s a much wider choice of souvenir available in the many jewellery shops in Jersey. For a totally unique item, designed and made on the premises, then Catherine Best is a good choice. She’s based in St Peter in a converted windmill – her business was originally established in Guernsey, also in a windmill. One of Catherine’s latest collections is a series of moon signs made in silver or gold and complete with a scroll from astrologer Sharon Ward. You can choose your item of jewellery and then pop into the adjacent restaurant for lunch or a snack. Where >Catherine Best, The Windmill, Les Chenolles, St Peter, Jersey, Tel: +44 (0)1534 485777. Website > www.catherinebest.com
Compiled by Peter Body
besttrivia
The most southerly “loo” in the British Isles is in a hut on the uninhabited Minquiers reef, just south of Jersey. Only fishermen or boaters visit the reef, but there’s also a helicopter landing pad – so perhaps the loo is for passing pilots!
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