The Island of Jersey

Mont Orgueil

2011-06-12T23:46:00.003+01:00

The castle at Mont Orgueil, in Gorey, Jersey, dates back to the early 1200s. This is a popular place for tourists, and locals to visit. It is often referred to as Gorey Castle, by the locals.

Gorey is on the east coast of Jersey, and there are many buses running there from St. Helier - route no. 1.

Below are some photos of Mont Orgueil.

Mont Orgueil on Fotopedia

More information on the castle, and its history: Wikipedia

Jersey Weekly

2011-03-05T22:55:00.003Z

Jersey Weekly is a local magazine, published in Jersey. It features a comprehensive guide to upcoming events.

Copies can be picked up from many locations around the island, or read the online edition below.

Open publication - Free publishing - More whats on guide

Jersey Restaurants

2011-03-05T22:51:00.002Z

Spring Specials is a booklet, published in Spring, which lists lots of tasty menus with special prices.

Find out where to eat out, read the online copy here:

Spring Specials

These offers run from 1st March to 14th April, 2011.

What's on in Jersey?

2009-09-07T00:34:00.004+01:00

If you want to find out what events are taking place in Jersey, I can recommending checking the following websites for information.

The next major event in Jersey is the Jersey International Air Display. The main display is on the 10th September 2009, and entry is free of charge. Full details are here.

Jersey Boat Show 2009

2009-05-03T09:59:00.007+01:00

This boat show is held on May bank holiday at the Elizabeth Marina in St. Helier, Jersey.

Below are some of my photos taken at the event in 2009.

Visit the official Jersey Boat Show website. Entry to the boat show is free, and all are welcome.

The photo below shows HMS York (D98) destroyer in St. Helier Harbour.

Surfing in St. Ouen's Bay, Jersey

2009-04-20T20:18:00.007+01:00

Surfing is possible in this bay, on the west coast of Jersey, so long as the conditions are good.

Surfing is a popular sport in Jersey, and has been for a long time. The Jersey Surfboard Club are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2009.

Some areas of the beach are covered by life guards during the summer, and you should only surf in the designated areas.

Current surfing conditions can be checked on-line here.

There's also a web-cam which provides a live view of the surf in the bay, you'll find that on this page.

Even if you don't like to get wet, St. Ouen's Bay is highly recommended for taking in the setting sun, photography, bird watching, walking, etc.

Grosnez Castle

2008-07-12T17:51:00.004+01:00

This partly runied castle lies in the far north-western corner of Jersey. The castle is thought to have been built during the 14th century for Sir John des Roches.

As you can make out in the above photo, the castle is built on top of the rocky cliffs, with the sea on the north side. The main gate entrance is mostly still in tact, whilst the less substantial walls on the north side are mostly gone. Although you can still find the footings of the missing walls.

Thanks to the steep cliffs on the north side, and the strong granite walls on the south side, this castle would not have been so easy to capture. However, because it is built on very solid granite, there would have been no water well. This seems to be a major flaw, in that any attacking force could have simply waited for the castle's water supplies to run dry, before demanding a surrender.

The finer details of this castle's design are not known, due to its age and lack of proper records.

This is a nice spot to visit around sunset, with good views across the water to Guernsey and the other islands.

Further reading and photos:
Grosnez Castle on Wikipedia
Grosnez Castle on Typepad
Photo on The Funky Site

Jersey Live 2008 - The Prodigy & The Zutons

2008-05-11T23:51:00.007+01:00

Jersey's Music Festival

So far the bands confirmed for this year's two day long Jersey Live Music Festival are:

The Zutons, headlining on the Saturday.
The Prodigy, headlining on the Sunday.

and...

We are Scientists
The Foals
Goose
The Go Team
Black Kids
Cage The Elephant
Crystal Castle

For the dance tent the confirmed acts are:
Pendulum (DJ Set)
Atomic Hooligan
Scott Nixon
Colin Moore
Spim
Kissy Sel Out (Live)
David Holmes
Black Grass
Oneofakind (from Guernsey)

Jersey Live will be happening on the 30th and 31st days of August 2008.

For further information, and ticket availability please visit the Jersey Live website.

The Prodigy.

Oyster Catchers of La Pulente

2008-05-11T18:29:00.006+01:00

I have just been taking a walk across the rocks at La Pulente beach, which is at the far south end of St. Ouen's Bay in Jersey. I spotted quite a few pairs of Oyster Catchers which were feeding in the exposed rock pools.

Here's some of the bird photos I took. Click on the photo for a bigger version.

Seymour Tower

2008-02-26T22:56:00.000Z

This defensive tower sits on a small rocky outcrop, about 2km offshore. It is located off the east coast of Jersey, and is accessible on low-tides, by foot, from La Rocque harbour.

The ocean tides in this area a particularly dangerous, so you would be well advised to check tide times before venturing out there, and making sure you start walking back to shore before the tide turns.

The base of Seymour Tower has space for a battery of canons. The tower itself is square, unlike most of Jersey's coastal towers which are round.

It was built as part of the island's defences after the French made an invasion landing is this area.

The tower is in the care of the Jersey Heritage Trust, and can be rented out for short stays, and activities. It has been recently fitted-out with basic facilities, such as bunk-beds and a cooker.

Plémont

2007-06-23T15:32:00.001+01:00

Plémont is a very unique and secluded cove, which can be found on the north coast of Jersey. It has views across the English Channel to the other islands, such as Sark, and a nice cafe with indoor and terrace seating. A must-see if you're visiting Jersey on holiday.

The small sandy beach is covered by the high-tide. When the tide is low, you can explore the rocks and a near-by cave.

There is a cliff top footpath, this can be followed east or west. Be aware that the paths are very steep in places.

Swimming is safest on a low tide, but there is a lifeguard in attendance during the warmer months. Body boarding is possible at times.

There is minimal car parking near the beach and cafe, and a larger parking area at the top of the hill.

The photo below shows a section of the cliff paths. The greenery is some young ferns.

Jersey Oyster Farm

2007-06-17T13:02:00.000+01:00

The Jersey Oyster Company is the largest oyster farm in Great Britain. Most of their oysters are exported to France. They also ship them to Whitstable and Colchester in the UK. Most of those find their way to tables in London restaurants.

The farm is located on Jersey's east coast, in the Royal Bay of Grouville. They also produce muscles which are served up in local restaurants.

There is evidence which shows that Jersey people have eaten oysters from these beaches for the last 6,000 years! Although, originally they would have been fished for and not farmed.

The Jersey Oyster Company was originally called "Le Société de Produits Ostréicole Jerrais" when it first started in the year 1973.

Rickshaws in Jersey

2007-06-10T17:54:00.000+01:00

St. Helier now has a Rickshaw "taxi" service. Right now the operator has just the one Rickshaw which operates on a fixed cycle route between the St. Helier waterfront and St. Aubin. The owner does plan to have more Rickshaws, and hopes to be able to operate a service throughout the town.

Unfortunately, the one Rickshaw they have was already out and about when I took the above photo! But, you can see the other four wheeler bikes which are available for hire. These ones are self-ride.

You'll find a long cycle path which runs along the coast, at the top of the sea wall, from the waterfront to St. Aubin.

There are lots of nice cafes, bars and restaurants in St. Aubin, with views of the small harbour and fort.

If you enjoy cycling, you will be pleased to know that the whole of Jersey is accessible on a bike. But, be aware that there are many steep hills and plenty of cars to contend with in built-up areas.

Elizabeth Marina

2007-06-10T17:34:00.000+01:00

Elizabeth Marina is Jersey's newest marina, which was opened in 1998. It has plenty of modern facilities, including electricity and water for each berth, and security cameras. Disabled access is good, with long ramps providing access to the pontoons.

Most vessels in this marina are the more expensive pleasure boats and yachts. The photo below shows a pair of brand new Fairline motor yachts.

At present there is a new Radisson SAS hotel being constructed, right next to the Elizabeth Marina. This hotel won't be open until late 2007, or 2008. However, there are plenty of other hotels nearby. These include the Pomme d'Or Hotel and the Grand Hotel.

You can find out more about St. Helier's main harbour, and nearby services on this page.

The above satellite photo shows the Elizabeth Marina, outlined in red. Elizabeth Castle can be seen, not far offshore. The castle can be accessed on foot, when the tide is low. On a high-tide there are amphibious vehicles which ferry passengers to the castle.

Rozel Bay

2007-06-09T16:56:00.001+01:00

Rozel is situated on the north coast of Jersey, in the parish of St. Martin. This is a very small fishing port, and has quite a unique appearance and plenty of character.

The photo below was taken on a warm day in June 2007, as you can see there was a lot of sea mist around, which adds to the mystique and charm of Rozel.

The short pier, which harbours several small fishing boats, is constructed from the local volcanic rock. Several cafes, restaurants and hotels can be found here.

Rozel provides for fairly safe swimming, bathing and canoeing. Just like all of Jersey's beaches the water is very clean, you might even see the odd dolphin. The water is generally quite cold, but you may find warm patches of water near rocks which have stored the heat of the sun.

Jersey Live 2007

2007-06-03T23:44:00.000+01:00

The Jersey Live Festival of Music 2007

Jersey Live will take place on the 1st and 2nd of September, in Trinity, Jersey.

The bands and DJs confirmed to play, so far, include:

The Fratellis
Kasabian
The Enemy
New Young Pony Club
The Rakes
Super Furry Animals
Digitalism
The Veez
Steve Lawler
Goose
Boys Noize
Optimo
Alterkicks
and more to come!

This is Jersey's highlight of the festival calendar. This year is set to be the biggest and best, so far.

Kempt Tower, St. Ouen

2007-06-03T21:44:00.001+01:00

Kempt Tower is down in St. Ouen's bay, in the Les Mielles area. It is open to the public, except in the winter.

The former fortification now acts as a visitor centre, with information on the local wildlife, and fauna.

It lies within a conservation area near a sandy beach. There are ponds and sand dunes to explore, which are home to many species of bird and wild flowers.

The tower was built in 1834 as a defensive fort, by the British Navy. A canon would have been positioned on the roof of the structure, with accomodation for troops on the first floor and storage space for ammunition on the ground floor.

This is the last surving Martello tower in Jersey. Although there are many other similar towers dotted around the coast.

Le Don Hilton

2007-06-03T21:29:00.001+01:00

Le Don Hilton is owned by the Jersey National Trust, and is located in St. Ouen's Bay on the west coast of Jersey.

The small cottage is also known as La Caumine a Marie Best. It was constructed in the 18th century, and is made from granite and concrete. It is now painted distinctively in white.

The building was originally used as a guard house, but is now available for overnight stays and barbeques. If you wish to stay there, you will need to book it with the National Trust.

Anyone can wander around, and take a look, at any time. It's easy to find when walking or driving near the beach in St. Peter.

If you would like to make use of this unusual building, please visit this page to make a booking.

The cottage is situated right on top of the sea wall. You will find cafes and surfing facilities near by, plus some other Jersey heritage sites close by.

Mont Orgueil Castle

2007-06-03T20:59:00.000+01:00

This castle is know locally as Gorey Castle. It was built in the 13th Century and is an important part of the island's hertiage.

Gorey Castle was built to defend against the invading French. It overlooks a small harbour and pier. You will find a series of small hotels, restaurants, shops and pubs along the pier.

The east facing Royal Bay of Grouville sits alongside, and the Jersey Potteries can be found in Gorey Village.

The castle has recently undergone a major renovation and is now free of scaffolding!

This is one of the best castles in Great Britain and is open all year round, although it is not open every day in the Winter months. Be aware that the castle closes during high winds, for safety reasons.

Various attractions are laid on, including falconry and children's activities.

Find out more at www.jerseyheritagetrust.org

St. Helier Harbour

2007-06-03T19:47:00.000+01:00

St. Helier harbour is comprised of a commercial port and various marinas for yachts and boats. There's also a lifeboat station and maritime museum, which is open all year round.

The photograph below, shows the older part of the harbour with Fort Regent in the background.

Elizabeth Marina

This is Jersey's newest marina, which was opened by HRH Prince Andrew in 1998. It has modern facilities, including electricity and water for each berth, and a pump out service available. The marina is monitored by CCTV for security purposes.

The newly constructed building, in the background of the photo, is the Harbour Reach apartment block.

Ferry Terminal

The Elizabeth Terminal, and other smaller terminals, are used by ferry operators. They operate on routes between Jersey, Guernsey, Poole, Portsmouth, Weymouth, St. Malo, Carteret and Granville. Car and passenger ferries operate on these routes.

If you are holidaying on Jersey, you might like to take a day trip to France. Journey time by ferry is approximately 1 hour. St. Malo is a very popular tourist destination.

Local Amenities

The Harbour is located in Jersey's main town of St. Helier. So, pretty much all services are available within walking distance, including banks, shopping areas, hotels, cinemas, gyms, swimming pool, the general hospital and tourist attractions.

Jersey Tourism's information centre is near by, you can visit them online at www.jersey.com.

La Mare & Greve D'Azette

2007-06-03T18:24:00.000+01:00

La Mare beach is in the south-east corner of Jersey. The eastern end of the beach, where it joins with Green Island beach, is the most southerly point in the British Isles.

The lighthouse in the photo below stands on top of the beach wall. It was built in 1896 and still serves as a navagational aid today. The light flashes once every 5 seconds.
The beach is very expansive on a low-tide. A large reef of rocks, pools, and gullies are exposed. On a good high tide, it is possible to surf here. Great care needs to be taken, given that there are some very strong tidal currents close to shore. When the tide returns, and covers the reef again, it comes back in a fast speed. So, be aware of the times of low and high water before exploring the rocks.

If you're planning on spending the day on this beach. You'll fins a small kiosk on the slipway, a Marks & Spencer food hall (near the lighthouse), and public toilets at the top of the slip.

The numer one bus route runs along the coast road and stops by The Ambasasor Hotel, slipway, and lighthouse. This bus runs between St. Helier and Gorey Pier. You can also catch buses from the near by housing estate - route 18.

Further info:

Tide times: www.jersey-harbours.com
Bus times: MyBus (Connex)

Archirondel

2007-06-03T17:27:00.000+01:00

Archirondel beach and tower is located on the northern part of the east coast of Jersey.

This is a nice unspoilt spot, and you will find a small carpark and cafe next to the beach. The red and white round tower is built on what was the start of a large harbour wall. The wall was never completed. The second wall is near by, and was fully completed. That wall is known as St. Catherine's Breakwater, and extends out to see for about 1 mile. It is fully accessible to the public.

BBQ

There are some BBQ facilities, along the road near by. If you want to use one of these grills, you'll need to book it in advance.

Queen's Valley Reservoir

2007-06-03T16:56:00.001+01:00

This reservoir used to be a quiet rural valley, until a dam was built and the valley flooded. The photo below shows the dam wall, which is made from a waterproof membrane with earth piled up around it, as an alterntive to a concrete dam.

Bird Life

Here's a nesting box, which is attached to one of the many trees which line the footpath.

Drinking Water

Here's the reservoir itself, it's owned by Jersey Water who look after the surrounding area. There is plenty of parking at either end of the reservoir, and the general public are welcome to walk round the whole perimeter.

It has a holding capacity of 262 millions gallons, making this Jersey's largest reservoir. Fresh water fishing is by permit only.

Flora

The photo below shows a Fox Glove flower, you'll spot many of these during the Spring.

Fox Glove.

Map

You can find a map of Queen's Valley Reservoir by clicking here.

To find the valley, take the sharp turn off the main road, opposite Grouville Parish Hall, then head in the direction of Gorey. You will spot the dam wall which is covered in grass.