Jersey (St. Hellier) Questions

Has anyone been to Jersey (St. Hellier)? Is there anything to see on your own? What about local tours?

Thank you.

You could go to Elizabeth Castle but watch the tide

Take the bus to the underground hospital

Lots to do & see just depends on your interests

https://www.jersey.com/

Elizabeth Castle is in St Helier, accessed by a causeway, but there's a boatbus (kinda bus on stilts) which operates at all states of the tide. Well worth a visit.

Gorey castle, 20 (?) minutes from St Helier is more historic, it fell into disuse when Elizabeth Castle was built.

In the opposite direction are fortifications built as part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall. Custodians are volunteers, the towers etc are only open weekends but they're an awesome sight from the outside.

The German underground military hospital, just a few minutes outside St Helier is professionally operated and open every day, also well worthwhile.

If you have long hours in port, consider renting a car - but most are shift-stick, be sure to specify if you want automatic transmission. And rent as small a car as you'll fit in, the roads are small.

JB :)

i would forgo the car take the bus

drivers are a wild on Jersey ;)

JMO

Thanks for all comments.

I've spent a good bit of time on Jersey and would be more than happy to help.

What sorts of things are you interested in, and when are you arriving?

Jersey was occupied during WW2, and thus has a wide variety of occupation-related sights. Plenty of options there. If you're interested in learning about the occupation and what life was like, the Jersey War Tunnels can't be beat. Been there 3 times, myself. Easy to get to by bus, as well.

As mentioned above, there are two castles. Mount Orgueil Castle (Gorey Castle) and Elizabeth Castle. Gorey Castle is the more castle-like of the two. Elizabeth Castle is just around to the left once you make your way off the pier. Easily walkable. At low tide, you'll have the option of walking to the castle, or taking the amphibious ferry. Naturally, the ferry is the only option at high tide. I'd have to check the dates to see if they're doing the live demonstrations (including firing one of the canons) while you're there.

The coastline of the island is an absolutely gorgeous drive. Driving in Jersey really isn't bad, if you're keen on driving on the wrong side of the road. I can recommend a hire car agency if you need. I usually get a hire car in Jersey, and have limited experience with the buses. If you decide to get around by bus, here is the timetable and route map for the buses.https://libertybus.je/routes_times#.WxIK9e4vxhF

The main bus station isn't too far from the tender location. Here's a map that shows the approximate tender location, and where the tourist information office is, which is adjacent to Liberation Station where you would pick up any bus you need.

https://goo.gl/maps/R35EDusPUrB2

For a walk around town, this map continues on from the Tourist Information Center to the main shopping district in St Helier, along with the Central Market, and the Royal Square. https://goo.gl/maps/exW2Df7ydw12 Naturally, you'll find a proper pub or two along the way.

Anything you're interested in, just ask. Maybe a secluded pizza-restaurant on a beach. Not-so-secluded restaurants on a much bigger beach. A cliff-top ice-cream shop. Neolithic dolmens and passage graves. Quaint seaside towns. Feudal manor houses. A ride in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) to some secluded, rocky islets, where you're all but guaranteed to see dolphins along the way. (I think I'm due for a return trip :) )

I've spent a good bit of time on Jersey and would be more than happy to help.

 

What sorts of things are you interested in, and when are you arriving?

Jersey was occupied during WW2, and thus has a wide variety of occupation-related sights. Plenty of options there. If you're interested in learning about the occupation and what life was like, the Jersey War Tunnels can't be beat. Been there 3 times, myself. Easy to get to by bus, as well.

 

As mentioned above, there are two castles. Mount Orgueil Castle (Gorey Castle) and Elizabeth Castle. Gorey Castle is the more castle-like of the two. Elizabeth Castle is just around to the left once you make your way off the pier. Easily walkable. At low tide, you'll have the option of walking to the castle, or taking the amphibious ferry. Naturally, the ferry is the only option at high tide. I'd have to check the dates to see if they're doing the live demonstrations (including firing one of the canons) while you're there.

 

The coastline of the island is an absolutely gorgeous drive. Driving in Jersey really isn't bad, if you're keen on driving on the wrong side of the road. I can recommend a hire car agency if you need. I usually get a hire car in Jersey, and have limited experience with the buses. If you decide to get around by bus, here is the timetable and route map for the buses.https://libertybus.je/routes_times#.WxIK9e4vxhF

 

The main bus station isn't too far from the tender location. Here's a map that shows the approximate tender location, and where the tourist information office is, which is adjacent to Liberation Station where you would pick up any bus you need.

https://goo.gl/maps/R35EDusPUrB2

 

For a walk around town, this map continues on from the Tourist Information Center to the main shopping district in St Helier, along with the Central Market, and the Royal Square. https://goo.gl/maps/exW2Df7ydw12 Naturally, you'll find a proper pub or two along the way.

 

Anything you're interested in, just ask. Maybe a secluded pizza-restaurant on a beach. Not-so-secluded restaurants on a much bigger beach. A cliff-top ice-cream shop. Neolithic dolmens and passage graves. Quaint seaside towns. Feudal manor houses. A ride in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) to some secluded, rocky islets, where you're all but guaranteed to see dolphins along the way. (I think I'm due for a return trip :) )

Thank you for your comments. From my research, and clearly from your comments, Jersey looks beautiful. It's a shame we have a short port day in Jersey (depart 3pm). We'll probably visit Elizabeth Castle and walk around the waterfront. We may take a short bus ride to get an overview. That bus link you provided is great.

I haven't visited Jersey by cruise ship, but the tender location kindly provided by DC is very convenient for the centre of St Helier.

And for the amphibious ferry/busboat/call-it-what-you-will to Elizabeth Castle.

I've doctored DC's map to show it

https://goo.gl/maps/RGT4ECWcFRk

And here are images of it

https://www.google.com/search?q=Elizabeth+Castle+ferry&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip4vzAkLXbAhXkAcAKHTn9A4sQ_AUICygC&biw=1782&bih=656#imgrc=Zr9jY4yQKj2icM:&spf=1527947638229

and the castle at low tide

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1782&bih=656&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=maMSW7KtMMf4gQbe-Y2IBg&q=Elizabeth+Castle&oq=Elizabeth+Castle&gs_l=img.12...0.0.0.50707.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.img..0.0.0....0.Nb_eXUoaemE#imgrc=TSTa-bWQEy0wYM:&spf=1527948236246

Gorey (Mount Orgueil) Castle, above Gorey Harbour, is a 20 minute drive

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=gorey+castle&hl=en-GB&rlz=1T4GGHP_enGB611GB611&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwidzbakk7XbAhWkCcAKHaBUCuAQ_AUICigB&biw=1782&bih=656

JB :)

I haven't visited Jersey by cruise ship, but the tender location kindly provided by DC is very convenient for the centre of St Helier.

 

And for the amphibious ferry/busboat/call-it-what-you-will to Elizabeth Castle.

I've doctored DC's map to show it

https://goo.gl/maps/RGT4ECWcFRk

 

And here are images of it

https://www.google.com/search?q=Elizabeth+Castle+ferry&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip4vzAkLXbAhXkAcAKHTn9A4sQ_AUICygC&biw=1782&bih=656#imgrc=Zr9jY4yQKj2icM:&spf=1527947638229

 

and the castle at low tide

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1782&bih=656&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=maMSW7KtMMf4gQbe-Y2IBg&q=Elizabeth+Castle&oq=Elizabeth+Castle&gs_l=img.12...0.0.0.50707.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.img..0.0.0....0.Nb_eXUoaemE#imgrc=TSTa-bWQEy0wYM:&spf=1527948236246

 

Gorey (Mount Orgueil) Castle, above Gorey Harbour, is a 20 minute drive

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=gorey+castle&hl=en-GB&rlz=1T4GGHP_enGB611GB611&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwidzbakk7XbAhWkCcAKHaBUCuAQ_AUICigB&biw=1782&bih=656

 

JB :)

Thanks for the info. Nice photos!

And no visit to the Channel Islands would be complete without some locally made ice cream. The high butterfat content from the cows there makes for incomparably delicious dairy products!

or cream tea ;)