Jersey holidays

Holidays to Jersey land you on an island just off the Normandy coast, where a collection of French and English influences clash to form a continental collage.

French flair and hallmarks of home

Jersey can’t seem to make its mind up about whether it fancies following French or British themes – road signs and menus are mostly in French, but you’ll hear locals chattering in the Queen’s and see them driving on the left. What’s not up for debate is the island’s impressive coastal scenery – steep craggy cliffs are punctuated with sleepy fishing villages, and there’s a Cornish feel to the pretty coves and bays. It’s the biggest of the Channel Islands, and the capital – St Helier – is up with the times – you can expect edgy street food vendors, luxe boutiques and a swish marina.

Cove-studded coastline

Jersey’s rugged shoreline means that most of its beaches are nestled in coves and bays. St Brelade’s Beach, on the south of the island, is one of the most popular – it’s a wide sandy sweep with watersports on offer. Either side of it, you’ve got the smaller but equally pretty Portelet and Beauport beaches. Head to one of these if you’re hoping to escape the crowds – they’re a little more secluded thanks to their steep, rugged access routes. In the north, you’ve got Plemont Beach which is known for its network of caves.

An island steeped in history

From centuries-old castles to wartime relics, Jersey’s got plenty for history buffs to dig their teeth into. On a visit to Elizabeth Castle in St Aubin’s Bay, you can climb battlements dating back to the 1590s. And at the Jersey War Tunnels, you can learn about what life was like when Germany occupied the island during WWII. This huge network of underground tunnels was built to withstand air raids, and was converted into a hospital in 1943.