Elizabeth Castle (Saint Helier)

Construction was started on Elizabeth Castle in the 16th century and it is located on a tidal island. Access to the castle is via a causeway from St Helier at low tide, or on a castle ferry. The ferries are wading vehicles that can reach the castle regardless of tide height, weather permitting. A one-way trip when the tide is high takes about 15 minutes. The site is a museum and among the historical displays is the regimental museum of the Royal Jersey Militia that holds several centuries of military memorabilia. There is also a museum that discusses the evolution of cannons and fortifications that holds several pieces from the nineteenth century, and earlier. Every Sunday through the season when the castle is open, a team of Historical Interpreters recreate the garrison of 1781, at the time of the battle of Jersey. They give displays of musket and cannon firing, and civilian life.

St Helier lifeboat station was established in 1825 and operates inshore and all weather lifeboats. Station only open by appointment, shop open Mon-Sat 10am – 1pm.

Jane James is an award winning artist who has become one of the best know ceramic designers in the Channel Islands. Working from her production studio overlooking English Harbour in St Helier, Jane’s work draws on inspiration from the beautiful coastline of Jersey. All her ceramics are either hand cut or press moulded from white earthenware clay. The ceramics are then hand finished using a range of implements including various shells. The ceramics are then bisque fired to 1150c for 9 hours before they are individually hand painted with a range of speciality glazes. The ceramics are then fired a second time which produces beautifully bold and bright ceramic pieces with a magical lustre finish that capture the shimmering colours of the sea. Most of Jane’s pieces are mounted on local driftwood collected from the many beautiful beaches around Jersey. These add an extra sculptural quality and interest to create unique pieces of coastal art. Each piece of work is unique and conveys Jane’s colourful and happy style. Her work is identified using a handmade ceramic button signed with the letter ‘J’. Jane’s ceramics have qualified for Genuine Jersey status, which guarantees that the craft skill involved can be regarded as genuinely local to Jersey. Jane has two gifts shop in Jersey, one in the historic Central Market in the Island’s capital St Helier and one in the beautiful Gorey Harbour. Jane’s work can also be bought online at www.jane-james.com

Havre des Pas is a tidal bathing pool and lido. It is extremely popular and is located on the outskirts of St Helier. Tucked in behind the harbour headland, the area is well sheltered and quite a sun trap. The pool was officially opened on 22nd of May 1895. Car parking is tricky given its St Helier location but driving up around the various lanes in the area usually yields a space (paid parking scratch cards required). Being where it is, there are toilets, shops and pubs in the immediate area.

Green Island beach is a sheltered, sandy and rocky beach on Jersey’s south-eastern stretch of coast. Access is very straightforward. When tide ebbs the full beauty of the beach is unveiled with a huge area of sand, gullies and rock pools for everyone to explore. There is a well-regarded restaurant, cafe, public toilets and paid parking right next to the beach. Very popular – you might struggle to find a parking spot here.

Bouley Bay has a pebble and rock beach surrounded by cliffs. Late in the afternoon the beach is in shade as the sun disappears due to the high cliffs. Limited parking, toilets.

Mont Orgueil Castle overlooks the harbour of Gorey.  The site had been fortified in the prehistoric period, but the construction of the castle was undertaken following the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204.

Archirondel is rarely crowded due to the limited parking, but is a true hidden east coast gem with a distinctive tower half painted red and white as a navigational marker. The upper beach is effectively a pebble bank but as the tide falls, a nice sandy bottom is revealed along with some rocky plateaus that are great for rock pooling. A well-liked cafe overlooks the northern end of the beach. Parking is free but limited, and there are public toilets. If parking is a problem there is a secondary free car park approximately 200 metres along the coast road to the north.