Do your friends call you a culture vulture? If everybody wants you on their pub quiz team, you know how to say ‘cheers’ in nine different languages, and you’re addicted to watching history documentaries, then we have a sneaking suspicion you’ll just love feeling transported back in time to Jersey’s ancient past. Come and storm the ramparts of romantic castles and meet the locals in friendly seaside pubs who might wish you good health in our local Patois dialect Jèrriais.
Highlights
- Soak up panoramic views across St. Ouen’s Bay
- Embark on an Ice Age Island Trail
- Conquer Mont Orgueil Castle
- Venture into the depths of Seymour Oyster beds
- Raise a toast with a tipple tour at The Channels Islands Liquor Co
- Tuck into a gastronomic experience at Number 10
Ice age walks and artistic experiences.
History is very much alive in Jersey, but it’s not quite 1066 and all that. We have ancient ruins older than Stonehenge and Ice Age mammoths in the volcanic bedrock of the island that once stretched to France. Before you uncover the island’s heritage, start your day at Le Braye Café where you can fuel up with seasonal flavours and soak up the panoramic views across St. Ouen’s Bay.
1. Start the day at Le Braye Café.
Begin your break by heading to Le Braye Café, a Jersey institution serving up seasonal flavours and prolific panoramic views across St. Ouen’s Bay and beyond. Either dine indoors with its beach-chic décor or go al fresco on the large terrace and soak up that morning sun as you breathe in the salty air. Fill up and embrace a relaxing moment before heading off on a day of discovery.
2. Ice Age Walking Tour with Jersey Heritage.
Embark on a self-guided walking tour and dig up (not literally) Jersey’s rich and diverse history surrounding our pre-historic past. Palaeolithic cave-living hunter gatherers were Jersey’s earliest residents (250,000 BC) and Jersey Heritage have carefully curated an Ice Age Island Trail which weaves its way from Ouaisné Bay to St. Aubin’s Village via the wooly mammoth’s former hunting grounds of La Cotte De St. Brelade.
3. ArtHouse Jersey experiences.
From large-scale exhibitions, pop-up art shows, theatre pieces and concerts, to community-focused workshops and projects, ArtHouse Jersey are responsible for producing a variety of captivating artistic experiences that will surpise and delight. With a town location and beachside HQ, you can choose the artistic experience that suits you.
Sample some of the world's finest Oysters.
Explore secret passages, uncover hidden treasures and immerse yourself in the island’s past at Mont Orgueil castle. Sip on champagne and gaze out to the French coastline as you explore the fascinating passageways of the Seymour Oyster beds. Finish the day with an indulgent dinner at The Moorings Hotel & Restaurant.
1. Conquer Mont Orgueil Castle.
Mont Orgueil is an impressive medieval castle that sits above the fishing harbour of Gorey. Scale its heights to take in picturesque views of the French coast from the lofty battlements, a network of staircases and secret rooms. Little ones can storm the ramparts dressed as medieval knights of olde (so can big ones, in case you fancy it!)
2. Explore the shore with a Champagne and Oyster Tour.
Kick on your wellies to walk out to Seymour Oyster beds in Royal Grouville Bay to sample some of the worlds’ finest shellfish with champagne to match, as you gaze out to the French coastline. Learn all about these tasty morsels over a tipple and a story or two from the Oyster-Maker’s wife in one of the most epic and extensive tidal ranges in the world. Bottoms up!
3. The Moorings Hotel & Restaurant.
If you’re looking for good food, good views and good company, be sure to indulge in it all at The Moorings, on Gorey Pier. Known for its seasonally focused, produce-led menu with a global twist, you’ll always be guaranteed a warm welcome next to their roaring fire in the colder months – or with an aperitif in hand on the terrace during the summer.
Seize the day at Plémont Bay.
Discover one of Jersey’s most beautiful beaches. A sandy cove on the north-west tip of the island with many rock pools, fascinating caves, and even a fresh waterfall. Then head into St. Helier to visit the fascinating Jersey Museum. Find out why Jersey remained loyal to the English Crown despite being so close to France and hear Jersey-French being spoken.
1. Unearth Jersey's history at the Jersey Museum.
This fascinating museum provides history from 250,000 years ago, when the first people arrived in Jersey and continues through the centuries to explore the factors that have shaped this unique island and the people who live here. Find out why Jersey remained loyal to the English Crown despite being so close to France; listen to Jersey-French (Jèrriais) being spoken and learn about the island’s traditional farming industry. Also on site is the beautifully restored Victorian House ready for you to explore and where you enter the drama of a Victorian family in crisis. For great coffee and creative brunch and lunch dishes, stop by The Yard afterwards.
2. Seize the day at Plémont Bay.
Plémont has a natural drama and an enchanting beauty all of its own. A sandy cove on the north-west tip of the island with many rock-pools, fascinating sea caves, and even a freshwater waterfall. At the top of the steps leading to the beach, you’ll find Plémont Bay Café which serves an excellent all-day menu with some delicious breakfast and lunch dishes with the finest local produce.
3. Night sessions with Jersey Heritage.
Discover something different in Jersey with live performances, in extraordinary locations. Whether it’s ambient Ibiza sunset sessions beneath the towering stronghold of Mont Orgueil Castle, the smooth sounds of Jazz at the Hamptonne or a New Orleans style brass band at Elizabeth Castle.
Lively markets and a tasting extravaganza.
Spend the morning browsing Jersey’s iconic markets which are an integral part of Jersey’s heritage and a source of pride for many islanders. Brimming with activity, full of colours and smells and home to a wide range of local produce where you’ll find lots of amazing eats. Head over to The Channel Islands Liquor Co and raise a toast with a tipple tour with their small batch gins and rums. Round off your island getaway at Number 10 and tuck into a magnificent gastronomic experience that will blow you away.
1. Explore Central & Beresford Street Markets.
Follow your nose and take time to explore Jersey’s Victorian street markets which are bursting with colourful fresh island produce and boutique shops with artisan gift ideas and antique treasures. Take in the hustle and bustle with an elegant brunch and espresso at La Bouche, a trendy restaurant with an instagrammable menu that sits in the centre of Beresford market. Make sure to pay a visit to Maison de Jersey too, a shop packed full of Genuine Jersey and handmade Jersey goodies offering a real taste of the island’s heritage.
2. Tipple tour at The Channel Islands Liquor Co.
Raise a toast with a tipple tour at The Channel Islands Liquor Co, where the experts will lead you on a tasting extravaganza around their beautiful sail loft distillery. They’ll demonstrate what makes them stand out from the crowd with their amazing small-batch gins and rums. You’ll be walked through the different styles, the history and the flavour profiles of each spirit; tasting every step of the way, so you truly discover what flavours are perfect for your palate.
3. Tantalise your taste buds at Bohemia.
Round off your escape at Bohemia Bar & restaurant, a local institution synonymous with divine and decadent culinary experiences which was voted in the Top 1000 Restaurants in the World 2020. Brought to you by chef Callum Graham, Bohemia is a swish, boutique restaurant and bar offering artistic gastronomy in an elegant, art deco-inspired space. Callum brings a European influence to Bohemia’s food and loves the opportunity to combine the fantastic local Jersey produce and seafood with the stunning produce from only 14 miles away in France thanks to Jersey’s unique location.
