A Tasty Suggestion
If a restaurant needs to boast a Michelin star before you’ll consider opening the door then Bohemia in Jersey is the place to be. Not only is it Jersey’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, it has also been voted one of the island’s top 25 restaurants in the UK by Egon Ronay.
And, for good measure, Hardens Restaurant Guide has said of Bohemia: 'this exceptional two-year old is emerging as a major gastronomic destination' .
Part of the luxury boutique-style Club Hotel & Spa, the restaurant offers set lunch and a la carte menus with mouth-watering dishes such as Carpaccio and tartare of beef fillet with a horseradish bavarois, classic garnish and salted focaccia bread, Warm buttered lobster tail with home made macaroni, crab and fennel "ceviche" or Grilled local seabass, scallop carpaccio, amfire, lime and sauce "vierge.
For more information, visit www.bohemiajersey.com
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SEPTEMBER 11: The famous Jersey Air Show above St Aubins Bay has the world famous Red Arrows on display as well as a recreation of the battle of Britain. A huge number of vantage points are available so you cant miss a thing. Visit www.jerseyairdisplay.org.uk/ to find out more.
...and here are more great things to do and see in and around Jersey…
SEPTEMBER 25 – 28: The Jersey International Film Festival is held at St Helier with a range of outdoor film screenings at the Howard Davis Park. With new and old film on show it’s a great way to spend a late summer’s evening. For further information go to http://cgi.www.jersey.co.uk/
UNTIL OCTOBER 31: Jersey’s Shell Garden is a whole garden complex made entirely of shells and molluscs. More shells are added every year to this beautiful garden, to find out more go to www.jersey.co.uk/attractions/
shellgarden/index.html
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2008: Tennerfest is Jersey’s own local produce festival where restaurants exclusively use locally sourced produce. Fantastic cooking at only £10 per meal makes a great night out. For further information see www.tennerfest.com/
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Discover £80 savings in Jersey
If you’re planning to book a package holiday to Jersey, the island’s new Discovery Pass could save you up to £80 per person! And it’s free! www.jersey.com/trade
New website for Jersey events
Jersey Tourism has launched a new events website, www.jersey.com/events. The site comprehensively lists all events, festivals and sporting competitions occurring on the island and will be an indispensable guide for visitors and locals alike. www.jersey.com/events
Bedell - simply the best
The Jersey-based law and fiduciary company, The Bedell Group, has won a Sunday Times ‘Best Companies To Work For’ award. www.bedellcristin.com
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The largest of the Channel Islands and the southernmost of all the British Isles, Jersey boasts some 70km (43.5 miles) of beautiful coastline with clear water and stunning beaches. The island regularly holds records as the sunniest place in the British Isles – and there is added warmth from the Gulf Stream that washes the shores of the island. A thriving agricultural industry is best known for its Jersey milk and internationally famous Jersey Royal potatoes, which have their very own special taste and flavour. There is also an abundance of seafood, especially locally cultivated oysters (best sampled in spring and autumn).
With no passports or visas required, no VAT, sterling in common use, English spoken, and cars driven at a gentle speed on the left-hand side of the road, it is little wonder that Jersey has become so popular with families, young people and active older visitors
Jersey is a fun and vibrant place to go on holiday. There’s a range of leisure pursuits that rival the best – wakeboarding, surfing, blokarting are popular pastimes. High quality dining is also a national pastime – with more than 140 restaurants available – there is plenty of opportunity to put that weight back on that you burnt off during the day!
It is also characterised as a ‘foreign holiday without going abroad’, and there’s enough of a French influence in the cuisine and lifestyle to tickle a palate jaded by too many English seaside holidays. It’s a fairly safe bet that everyone will find something they like, and it’s a true haven for walkers, cyclists, sunbathers, and watersports enthusiasts.
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A great way to spend a 'Perfect Day' is to visit the new Ayush Wellness Spa which has just opened (September ’06) in Jersey’s Hotel de France, the first hotel in the UK to offer a spa dedicated to the principles of Ayurveda and restorative spa waters. ‘Ayush’ is the Sanskrit word for long healthy life.
At the 17,000 square foot Ayush Wellness Spa the combination of authentic Ayurvedic therapies and luxurious spa treatments work in harmony. An Ayurvedic doctor works along with Indian and Western therapists to customize herbal medicated treatment oils, provide consultations, lectures and treatments in a spirit of compassion and acceptance.
And after all that relaxation, why not treat yourself to dinner in one of the hotel’s four options, the Orangery Restaurant, Café Aroma, the Atrium Bar & Brasserie or the intimate Gallery à la carte Restaurant & Bar.
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For another 'Perfect Day, after a hearty breakfast in your hotel in St Helier, take the car west along the A1 to Beaumont. It’s almost bound to be sunny, so start your perfect day with 9 holes of golf around the rather tricky par 3 course at Wheatlands, just off Beaumont Hill. This costs about £10, plus £4 for club hire (+44 (0) 1534 888844). Non-golfers can choose their favourite spot on the long stretch of St Aubin’s Bay, or, alternatively, visit the Jersey War Tunnels nearby. This has been well restored, and you can see the operating theatre, dispensary, staff quarters, and hospital ward, as well as an exhibition about the wartime Occupation.
The Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Victoria Village is an elegant, modern museum was set up by the late Eric Young, and is one of the world’s best collections of orchids, and a centre for their breeding and cultivation. Keen gardeners will love it.
Head north to the world-famous 31-acre site Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, established by Gerald Durrell which takes a leading role in the preservation of endangered species. This first-rate attraction may take half a day to get round, but make sure you see the gorillas. If you haven’t had lunch yet, make your way down the hairpin bends to Bouley Bay, where you will find the Water’s Edge Hotel and the Black Dog Inn. This is a very pretty bay, with clear water, and a steeply shelving shingle beach. It’s good for diving and fishing from the jetty, particularly for multi-coloured rock-feeding wrasse in the summer.
Another good fishing spot is on the breakwater to the north of St Catherine’s Bay, just round the coast. This also provides a good bracing walk out to sea, ideal to work up an appetite. Now make your way down the coastal road to Gorey, where you can visit Mont Orgueil Castle. Built on the concentric principle, the castle dates from the 13th century, and was the most strategically important point on the island until the widespread use of heavy cannon made it too vulnerable. Finish your day with dinner in the pretty harbour of Gorey, where there is a choice of restaurants, include the Moorings and the Dolphin (+44 (0) 1534 853 633).
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You can choose from a wide range of holiday accommodation in Jersey. St Helier is a good place to stay, being the island’s hub, with easy access to all the attractions and beaches. Here you can find a grand hotel on the seafront, one with a bit of historical interest, or one with lots of facilities for the kids.
One of Jersey’s best-known hotels is the Pomme D’Or (+44 (0) 1534 880110) in St Helier, in front of Liberation Square near the harbour. Recently refurbished bedrooms are well decorated and stylish with most air-conditioned. Four-star options are the Longueville Manor and L’Horizon Hotel and Spa. The Longueville Manor is a former 13th century Norman farmhouse which stands in 15 acres at the foot of its own private wooded valley. Facilities include a swimming pool and tennis courts. Also recommended is the three-star The Water's Edge Hotel in a stunning location overlooking Bouley Bay. They offer 50 bedrooms each with a sea or south facing garden view and a restaurant offering a selection of exciting dishes including fresh local seafood which can be eaten Al Fresco overlooking the Harbour. For the energetic there are the spectacular cliffpath walks leading east and west from the hotel and a 5 star PADI dive centre. Tel +44 (0) 1534 862777.
St Peter's Apartments
For those who prefer the freedom of apartment stays, St Peter Country Apartments, just five minutes from the airport, offers your home from home for both business and leisure travellers. There are three types of apartment ranging from a Jersey granite farm building conversion to ultra modern constructions but all come luxuriously furnished and have Sky TV, video, CD and radio. There’s also a restaurant, spa and swimming pool. Telephone +44 (0) 1534 495 495 or visit www.jerseyselfcatering.com
A full range of accommodation options is available on +44 (0) 871 900 8297 or by visiting www.flybehotels.com
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By car: Explore the city and the countryside in comfort and style at great prices! Get the best deal by checking Flybe's partner Avis for the best available car hire rates at www.flybe.com/avis
By road: The island capital St Helier is just 8km (5 miles) away from the airport.
By bus or coach: Jersey Bus operates the route 15 from the airport to St Helier every 20 minutes in summer and 30 minutes during winter.Contact Flybe's partner Avis for the best available car hire rates (www.flybe.com). Transfers can also be organised through Tantivy Blue Coaches Tel: 01534 738877/722584 or visit www.tantivybluecoach.com
By taxi: A taxi rank is adjacent to the airport arrivals building, but for peak-season visits it is advisable to book a taxi in advance from Domino Cabs (+44 (0) 1534 747 047) or Flying Dragon (+44 (0) 1534 888 333).
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Hiring a car in Jersey is probably the best option as it gives you the chance to visit the whole island, though traffic jams in St Helier are now not unheard of. Watch out for parking regulations, and stick to the 40mph speed limit on the island.
You can also hire scooters and mopeds, or bicycles. There is a good bus service operating from the central bus and coach station at the Weighbridge, St Helier. There are frequent services to St Aubin and Gorey, but the services cover the whole island.
For people who prefer to let someone else do the driving, Tantivy Blue Coaches is the largest luxury coach operator in the Channel Islands. A wide range of tours is on offer including a Full Day Island Tour, Panoramic Tour, German Underground Hospital, Jersey Zoo and 'A Lazy Evening Out'. Call 01534 738877 / 722584 or visit www.jerseycoaches.com
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Culturally Jersey is strong, with extensive entertainment programmes throughout the year at venues such as the Opera House and the Arts Centre. Most villages have welcoming pubs while St Helier is the major place for nightclubs and live music venues. Recommended clubs are the Chambers, and The Bar, an easygoing venue on the waterfront.
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The other main Channel Islands are Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm. These are covered in detail in the Guernsey destination guide. You can get to all these islands via ferry services from St Helier. You can also take the ferry for day trips to St Malo in France.
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Jersey has very strict housing laws, which specify who can rent or buy property on the island and who can live in it. You can find out more about the rules and regulations by visiting the Housing Law section of the States of Jersey website www.gov.je
But, for some, property purchases are possible and its best to talk to some of the key agencies on the island such as Dandara (which also operates in the Isle of Man, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds at www.dandara.com telephone +44 (0) 1534 506287, Mulberry Estates (which can help too with property sales in Spain and France) at www.mulberry.je telephone +44 (0) 1534 877007 and Slomans at www.slomans.co.uk telephone +44 (0) 1534 879787.
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The island is 15km (9.3 miles) wide by 8km (5 miles) deep, and there is quite enough to do to keep you occupied for a week or so. If you have tried all these suggestions and have run out of things to do, start exploring the magnificent beaches and coastal walks. Or, better still, take a flight to Guernsey and explore the other Channel Islands, including Alderney, Sark, and Herm.
Jersey Museum – St Helier
Most people start their holiday in St Helier, and this is where you’ll find the Jersey Museum, which provides a good historical overview of the island. There is a short introductory video, plus material on military history, famous Jerseyites (including Lillie Langtry, Edward VII’s favourite mistress when Prince of Wales), and an art gallery with works by local artists including Millais (+44 (0)1534 633 300)
Occupation Tapestry Gallery -
This is housed in a converted warehouse on the new North Quay, near Liberation Square. It consists of 12 X 2m tapestries (one for each of Jersey’s parishes) and tells the story of the traumatic years of Occupation by the Nazis during World War 2.
Elizabeth Castle -
Don’t miss Elizabeth Castle, which dominates St Helier at the end of its 1km (0.6 miles) causeway, and is reachable on foot only at low tide. It’s a fun place to visit especially if you arrive on an amphibious Puddle Duck craft (an old converted Bedford truck) that makes the journey at high tide. Sights here include the Castle Bell, the Governor’s House, the Royal Jersey Militia Regimental Museum, and various large cannon from various periods in the castle’s history (+44 (0) 1534 633 300) www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Mont Orgueil Castle - Gorey
This concentric-style castle dates from the 13th-century, and held the strategic key to Jersey throughout the medieval period. Eventually, with the introduction of heavy cannon, it became too vulnerable to fire from the hill above, and Elizabeth Castle took over as the strategic strongpoint. There are three wards and the castle keep to view, with several rooms with historical tableaux showing scenes from the castle’s past. Gorey Interpretation Centre, Gorey Pier (+44 (0) 1534 885 588).
Jersey Pottery -
This is on the outskirts of Gorey, and a good place to load up with local ceramics, for you or those back home. You can learn about every stage of production, and try your hand at decorating a pot. There is also a restaurant (+44 (0) 1534 850 850) www.jerseypottery.com
Jersey War Tunnels -
A world-class museum, this is a massive underground complex that took slave labourers nearly three years to dig during the Occupation. You can visit the operating theatre and the ward, and marvel at the effort involved in creating such a facility that was, in the end, never used as a hospital. Jersey War Tunnels (+44 (0) 1534 860 808) www.jerseywartunnels.com
Orchid Museum -
Established by the late Eric Young, this is a very slick operation dedicated to the propagation and breeding of orchids, with one of the best collections of specimens in the world (+44 (0) 1534 861 963) www.ericyoungorchidfoundation.co.uk
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust -
Founded by Gerald Durrell, this was one of the first zoos to focus intently on conservation and the preservation of animal species. It is still a respected centre for research. The gorillas are great fun too (+44 (0) 1534 860 000) www.durrellwildlife.org
La Hougue Bie -
This ancient Neolithic passage grave near Five Oaks, discovered in 1924, is one of the finest to be excavated. A large mound marks it with two medieval chapels on top. There is also an archaeological and geological museum, and an Occupation Museum with exhibits from the 1940-45 period (+44 (0) 1534 633 300) www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
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Golf: Golfers can take their pick from a rich selection of golf courses across Jersey, many with the added extra of stunning views. La Moye, the Royal Jersey and Les Mielles Golf & Country Club are 18-hole championship courses. La Moye and Royal Jersey require proof of handicap, but if you don’t belong to a club you can play at Les Mielles, or choose from four other venues, the Jersey Recreation Grounds, Les Ormes Golf & Leisure Club, Longueville Golf Range and Wheatlands Golf Club. Coming soon is the Jersey Seniors Classic Pro Am Golf Tournament (June 7-10).
Sea sport: The sea offers a rich source of sports and activities. Take your pick from coasteering, fishing, jet-skiing, kayaking, kite-surfing, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, surfing, wake-boarding, water-skiing and windsurfing. And if you can think of any others, they’ll be in Jersey too.
Flying lessons and skydiving are on offer too while back on dry land there’s abseiling, archery, blokarting, cycling, golf, rock climbing, shooting and, of course, walking.
For more information on any of these activities, visit www.jersey.com
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Jersey is a longstanding and well-known financial centre, with around 50 banks and financial institutions being based on the island. Income tax is very low on the island, and there is no VAT, which makes it attractive to wealthy retirees, tourists, and, well, just about everybody.
Jersey Tourism offers a special business section on its website. This can be visited at www.jersey.com/business/
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Because Jersey is so small, you can get to any side of the island within about an hour by car. This means that you can get up in the morning, gauge the wind direction, calculate the state of the tide, and choose your perfect beach for a bit of sheltered sunbathing.
If the wind’s coming from the south or southeast, Plemont Bay on the northwest of the island is a good one, but the tide has to be out. When the tide comes in, there’s a dwindling supply of the yellow stuff to put your towel on. Also on the north coast, there is Greve de Lecq beach, which has a big car park and a choice of two pubs for lunch, and Bouley Bay, which has a shingle beach, but is renowned for its clear water, and also has a handy hotel and pub.
When the wind’s from the east, west or northern quarters, the broad sweep of St Aubin’s Bay will provide shelter, and you can move up and down its 7km (4.4 miles) length to find the best spot. The eastern end is more family-oriented, with a lifeguard stationed at West Park. Further west the emphasis is more on watersports, particularly waterskiing, with the Jersey Sea Sports Centre at La Haule slip, St Aubin. When the wind’s from the west, Belcroute Bay is pretty sheltered, but has a shingle beach. Round the corner, there is Portelet Bay, which is popular and sheltered, but involves a steep climb down from the road. Next along is the family-friendly St Brelade’s Bay, with about 2km of sand and activities such as banana boating. It can be windy here, so the cognoscenti head round the corner to Beauport Bay, a tiny, sheltered, and usually quite deserted spot – again probably due to the steep climb down from the road. St Ouen’s Bay on the west coast of Jersey is the longest beach in the Channel Islands, but facing west, it does tend to be breezy. At weekends there is often motor racing on the enormous expanses of sand, which can be fun to watch if you are really unlucky with the weather.
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