Jersey is once again a hotspot for UK tourists after Covid-19 travel restrictions are seeing an upsurge in booking destinations within the United Kingdom’s borders. So lets find out more about this island, why it’s the perfect staycation in the UK and what are the best things to do in Jersey on your holiday.
Where are the Channel Islands?
The Channel Islands are a group of islands in the English Channel between the UK and France. Jersey is an island 5 miles by 9 miles and is the largest island in the Channel Islands. The Channel Islands are made up of five islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.
However, Jersey is only a stone’s throw from France and from the North East coast you can even spot cars driving on the French mainland!
Why Jersey is the perfect staycation in the UK
Jersey is a fantastic island to visit for a staycation, particularly now that Covid has restricted global travel. Easyjet and British Airways fly direct from London and Condor Ferries regularly sail from Poole or Weymouth in the UK and from St Malo in France.
Whether it’s sandy beaches, water sports or history that floats your boat, Jersey boasts all three, and is now seeing a resurgence of visitors shunning Europe to stay closer to home.
Brexit, the rise of European terror attacks, the dwindling value of Sterling and now Covid are all contributing to UK families voting with their feet to travel south to one of the UK’s finest islands.
Hailing the most sunny days in the UK per year, Jersey is perfect for outdoor families wanting to try somewhere new to explore within the UK and is packed with adventurous things to do for outdoor families.
Try Jersey – we know you’ll love it as much as we do!
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Things to do in Jersey Channel Islands with kids
1. Kayak in Jersey – St Brelades
One of the best things to do in Jersey, is to hire kayaks in St Brelade’s Bay and explore the nooks and crannies of the rugged South West coastline at high tide. Kayaking in Jersey is epic.
What to do in Jersey? Water sports is always a good option!
With our youngest now 5, kayaking – something we’ve always done solo is now wide open for family enjoyment. Launching into the shore break, equipped with nothing more than sunhats, life vests and a picnic stuffed into a watertight drum, we paddled furiously over a couple of waves onto the calm ocean.
Veering over to the pier we lingered to watch local kids bombing the deep water before setting off round to Beauport, a beautiful sandy cove, just round the peninsular. Beauport is an easy 1-2 hour kayak for young families.
Tip: Beat the long walk down to the water’s edge by setting off at high tide. High water levels also mean gullies and coves are so much more accessible to explore. Kayaking through the large stack at the end of the peninsular is fun, particularly if there’s a little swell. Take a packed lunch and beach yourselves on Beauport for a few hours. Older children might like the challenge of swimming round the small rock island 100 metres offshore.
Jono’s also offer lessons in windsurfing, dinghy sailing and canoeing and equipment only hire such as stand up paddle boards, blow karts (wind powered go karting) and much more.
www.jonoswatersports.com
Call Jono on +44 7797 717564
The Channel Islands are perfect for adventuring families
2. Cycle in Jersey – St Aubins to Corbiere Lighthouse
Another of our favourite things to do in Jersey is to cycle the old railway track from the pretty port of St Aubins to iconic Corbiere Lighthouse on the West coast.
It’s a fantastic ride on a track that is quiet, safe, wonderfully wide and easy for young families.
Cycle the old railway track from South to North across the island
With only a very slight upward slope on the way, even youngsters from age 6 can cycle it.
For the smalls hire a tag-along or carriage from the cycle hire shop in the Old War Tunnel at St Aubins where the trail starts.
If you’ve got young kids be sure to stop half way at the Elephant Park – a great kids playground directly on the trail with a café selling good coffee.
The track, flanked by eucalyptus and pine trees, continues past fields packed with famous jersey royal potatoes and peaceful meadows.
The trail ends at the impressive Corbiere lighthouse, set on a promontory out to sea. It’s a breathtaking view looking out to the West Coast with the golden sands of St Ouens Bay stretching as far as the eye can see and Rocco Tower standing guard out at sea.
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Read our post
Getting to Jersey – Condor Ferries
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Corbiere seems to capture the hearts of anyone who visits. For me, it was a highlight of our visit – stunning views at both low and high tide, and particularly at sunset.
At low tide walk the causeway over to the lighthouse (you need to book a tour to see inside) and at high tide it’s equally mesmorising to watch the might of the ocean pound the rocks.
On-site are a couple of German bunkers, great to explore with the kids and to finish off treat yourself to an ice-cream at the car park kiosk – arguably the best ice cream on the island!
Cycling to Corbiere lighthouse is one of our favourite things to do on Jersey
3. Visit Jersey’s Durrell Wildlife Park
Visit the orangutans at Jersey Zoo
Friendly knowledgeable keepers give daily informative talks, chatting about the personalities of each animal, their past and what is happening on the ground in the wild to help tackle the threats that impact them and their habitat. Learn about Gerald Durrell, his life’s mission to tackle the problems facing wildlife and of his success in pioneering zoo lead conservation.
You can also pre-book time up close with some of the animals through the Park’s ‘Animal Encounters’ or ‘Keeper For a Day’ experiences.
And if you want the thrill of hearing the Park come alive at night, it’s now possible to stay in the Park overnight in their on-site hostel or 5 star glamping pods!
Tip: bring a packed lunch and have a picnic in the beautiful sub-tropical grounds or in the Dodo playground – the cafés are quite pricey.
2020 prices: Adults £16.50, Child £12.00, under 3 free. Not a cheap day out but proceeds do go towards the charity – a great cause.
Jersey Zoo is one of Jersey’s top attractions
4. Catch a RIB to the Écréhous with Jersey Seafaris
A visit to Jersey is not complete without some serious RIB action. It’s amazing to visit remote reef islands.
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Thinking of heading to the Island of Sark too?
You definitely should!
Read our post
4 Reasons Why Families Will Love Sark
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Tip: Older bolder children will love the thrill of the front seat ride whilst oldies and younger children can sit comfortably on the rear bench seating.
2020 prices: from £35.99 per adult and £29.99 for a 1.5hr trip, it’s good value for money but not a cheap day out for a family of four. The price increases slightly for 2hr or 3 hr trips.
If you’re on a budget, I’d save this for older children who will get far more from it, especially the doughnuts in the RIB on the way back.
Book online or speak to one of their friendly staff on +44 7829 772222
www.jerseyseafaris.com
5. Explore Mont Orgueil, Gorey on the North East coast of Jersey
Mont Orgueil is an imposing medieval castle built high above the charming fishing village of Gorey on the North East coast.
A visit to Mont Orgueil Castle in Gorey is rather interesting. The kids loved the opportunity to dress up and wander around discovering nooks and crannies
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Looking for the perfect beach hideaway in Jersey?
Read our review on La Ferme du Vau Tocque
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Tip: Head straight for the dressing up room on arrival so kids can get in character to roam around the castle. Skip the guided tour and get ahead of the group to chat to the Medieval lady playing the lute. We loved The Wound Man carving, which cleverly depicts the types of wounds medieval battle would inflict on a soldier.
2020 prices: family ticket £39.80 (2 adults/2 kids) or Adult £13.40 Child £8.70
6. Eat Thai on the beach at the Dicq Shack, St Saviour
South East of St Helier, you’ll find St Clement’s Bay, a lovely long sandy stretch of beach, baring treacherous rocky reefs, brilliant for rock pooling at low tide.
Set on the slip is the colourful Dicq Shack selling mouth watering Thai food.
On spring high tides let the kids enjoy the sea spray from the sea wall next to The Dicq Shack.
Tip: Call up and order in advance as waiting times can be lengthy due to it’s popularity and takeout demand.
01534 730273
7. Visit the Jersey War Tunnels
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Camping in Sark?
Read our review of La Valette Campsite with stunning sea views
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Walking through these tunnels, carved out by prisoners of war for a Nazi underground hospital, the grim reality of invasion, occupation and liberation of the island begins to sink in.
Explaining the build up to the war this museum is packed with riveting photos, footage and memorabilia depicting how life was like during occupation. We loved the originality of each being given a copy identification card of a real person during the occupation. Walking around the museum you must discover the fate of your character.
A must visit museum. Expect to be compelled and emotionally moved.
Top Tip: Recommended for older children only. Our 8 year old studied the second world war at school recently so had some interest, whilst our 5 year old couldn’t wait to get out as the tunnels are dark and can be scary. Take warm clothes – the tunnels are cold and take around 2 hours to complete.
2020 prices: Adults £10.00 Child £5.00 Under 7’s free
www.jerseywartunnels.com
8. Go surfing at St Ouens – Jersey’s famous west coast beach
One of the best things to do in Jersey is to SURF! The West Coast of Jersey faces the Atlantic swell and bags consistent waves drawing a huge surf culture to the island.
Boasting the oldest surf club in Europe, Jersey has a rich surf scene with plenty of surf shops, surf schools and shapers in the mix.
One of the most popular things to do in Jersey Channel Islands is to SURF! The waves roll in off the Atlantic on Jersey’s West Coast making St Ouens Beach the place to head with your surfboard!
One of the best things to do in Jersey is to simply enjoy the beaches. St Ouens is a great place to spend a day with the family.
Rent a surfboard and take a lesson, or just get in the shore break with the kids on bodyboards or skimboards.
There’s plenty of good restaurants along the front – Big Verns, The Watersplash and El Tico. Or if you just fancy a quick bite, we love The Line Up kiosk on the sea wall at La Port for affordable fodder with great views or The Hideaway at Le Pulente which is is just further up the beach towards Corbiere lighthouse.
The Splash Surf Centre at The Watersplash gives 1 hour family surf lessons (up to 5 people) for £99.00 – perfect to try something new as a family together.
Call 01534 490671 or 7829 878878 to organise.
Laneez Surf Centre at The White Hut at St Ouens rents surfboards from £8.00 a day for a softie or £10 a day for a hard board. A private surf lesson can be arranged from £30.00 per person for 2/3 people (1 hr) or £45 one on one for 1 hr.
Call 01534 744157 to book.
9. Visit Elizabeth Castle – Jersey’s most impressive fort!
Positioned on a tidal island Elizabeth Castle is an impressive sight offshore from St Helier. Built over 300 years ago to supersede Mont Orgueil, Sir Walter Raleigh, Governor of Jersey at the time named her Elizabeth Castle after the reining monarch, Queen Elizabeth I.
The castle protected the future King Charles II during exile and later, upon taking the thrown repaid Jersey’s loyalty by giving Jersey independence from the Crown.
Image courtesy of Visit Jersey
Whilst Mont Orgueil is, we think, more engaging for kids, Elizabeth Castle has huge excitement factor in getting there and back. Time your visit at high tide to really stoke out the kids.
Amphibious ‘duck’ ferries (old military landing crafts) drive down into the high tide water and then ‘swim’ across – so much fun and much easier than the walk over at low tide for little legs.
The castle itself is site of an ancient hermitage where Saint Helier, a 6th-century ascetic hermit (the patron saint of Jersey) lived. The castle has army barracks and a museum. We enjoyed watching the men folk join in with the recreation of the garrison of 1781, being marched from the square to watch the canon being fired out to sea.
Price: Castle only – family ticket £37.70, adult £12.70, child (6-16) £8.25 (under 6 free)
Castle + ferry family ticket £49.40, adult 15.65, child (6-16) £11.20 (under 6 free)
10. Eat at The Hungry Man, Rozel & Jump the Pier at High Tide
Pier jumping has actually apparently been made illegal in Jersey. For kids its still one of the most fun things to do in Jersey Channel Islands – just make sure you do it at high tide in a spot recommended by a local!
Getting to Jersey Channel Islands
Condor Ferries (0345 609 1024) sails from Poole – Jersey and Plymouth – Jersey. Condor also sails from Jersey to St Malo.
Read our review on Condor Ferries here.
British Airways, Easyjet, Blue Island and Jet2 all fly to the island
Camping on the island of Sark, Channel Islands
4 reasons to visit Sark with kids
Taking the ferry to Jersey from St Malo, France
Where to stay in Jersey – Review of La Ferme du Tocque
6 comments
I’ve always fancied going to Jersey – you’ve given me lots of food for thought here.
Interesting about holidaying at home – we have had a few short breaks this summer, all of them in the UK. It’s been brilliant.
You should definitely go Trish! It’s really a beautiful place and for some reason such a lack of tourists! 🙂 🙂 🙂
How does Jersey accept people in scooters or disabled
Hi Jean. Many restaurants and shops have disabled access much as in the UK. Beachability also provides beach wheelchairs in many locations around the island . Can you find out more at the their website here https://www.beachability.org
Thanks for the great article!! We used the ideas as the basis for our family holiday this summer with kids age 3 & 5 (skipped the war tunnels and pier jumping!) Such great suggestions and a real ‘insiders’ approach. We loved our week in Jersey and found it much quieter than Devon/Cornwall – the restaurants we ate at were all superb with great service even in peak times. Will defo go back!