5 Nights in St Helier, Jersey - Things to do/Places to eat?
Discussion
Hi all,
Have booked up a short break in Jersey for 23rd - 28th July with Mrs Jags + our 1.5 year old daughter.
Staying in St Helier at Radisson Blu, on the Waterfront. Aside from the usual beaches around the island, I wanted to ask what else would be worth checking out whilst there?
I won't be driving when there. What would be the best way to get around?
Also wanted to enquire if there were any decent places to go to in terms of food...
Any pointers appreciated.
Thanks
Have booked up a short break in Jersey for 23rd - 28th July with Mrs Jags + our 1.5 year old daughter.
Staying in St Helier at Radisson Blu, on the Waterfront. Aside from the usual beaches around the island, I wanted to ask what else would be worth checking out whilst there?
I won't be driving when there. What would be the best way to get around?
Also wanted to enquire if there were any decent places to go to in terms of food...
Any pointers appreciated.
Thanks
As a starter look at:
http://www.jersey.com/english/Pages/default.aspx
Can thoroughly recommend castles, WWII bunkers, Durrell and War Tunnels.
Eating is rarely a problem, but personal favourites are:
Wayside Cafe in St Brelades Bay, Ad Lib in St Helier, Driftwood in St Catherine's Bay and La Pulente on the five mile road. However, Jersey has many many good restaurants and cafes that produce good food. Eateries overlooking beaches are very popular.
http://www.jersey.com/english/Pages/default.aspx
Can thoroughly recommend castles, WWII bunkers, Durrell and War Tunnels.
Eating is rarely a problem, but personal favourites are:
Wayside Cafe in St Brelades Bay, Ad Lib in St Helier, Driftwood in St Catherine's Bay and La Pulente on the five mile road. However, Jersey has many many good restaurants and cafes that produce good food. Eateries overlooking beaches are very popular.
As above.
I would recommend 'Danny's' (don't be put off by the name!) in St Aubin (http://www.dannys.je/Menus/our-menu). I had the sea bass and crab btw, v nice!
Also, Plemont bay to the north-west of the island, its about a 1000 (maybe more) steps down, so you'll be feeling it after carrying the nipper down there! However, when you get down there it is a seriously nice beach! Very flat, surrounded by cliffs and caves. And due to the effort required, there is loads of space! Also, there is a cafe about halfway up/down the stairs leading to/from the beach.
Drivers are v polite out there btw, no need for london driving tactics! (sorry just realised you're not driving! ignore me)
The 'floating' castle (Elizabeth Castle) was very good, although an 18mth old nipper might not be as excited!
I would recommend 'Danny's' (don't be put off by the name!) in St Aubin (http://www.dannys.je/Menus/our-menu). I had the sea bass and crab btw, v nice!
Also, Plemont bay to the north-west of the island, its about a 1000 (maybe more) steps down, so you'll be feeling it after carrying the nipper down there! However, when you get down there it is a seriously nice beach! Very flat, surrounded by cliffs and caves. And due to the effort required, there is loads of space! Also, there is a cafe about halfway up/down the stairs leading to/from the beach.
Drivers are v polite out there btw, no need for london driving tactics! (sorry just realised you're not driving! ignore me)
The 'floating' castle (Elizabeth Castle) was very good, although an 18mth old nipper might not be as excited!
Edited by Dr Murdoch on Wednesday 5th June 10:20
Further to above, also recommend Danny's, and most places in St Aubins. Buses are good, though you can walk, bike or Tommy Train to St Aubins. There is also a bus to Plemont, but check times. A window table overlooking Plemont beach from the cafe is a very pleasant experience. If you are ambitious, get buses out to Rozel, Bon Nuit and/or Boulez Bay.
Trip Advisor is a good staring point for restaurants in St Helier.
Trip Advisor is a good staring point for restaurants in St Helier.
I would strongly recommend hiring a car particularly with a young one in tow.
I haven't used the buses on the island for years but they used to be infrequent and expensive.
The best beaches are only easily and conveniently reachable by car - Beau Port for example. Portelet is pretty good too with the pub at the top and if I recall correctly a bus stop too.
Plemont as mentioned previously is great in the NW of the island. Aside from the walk down (not quite a 1000 steps methinks!)be aware of the tides! During 'springs' the whole beach floods so your day could be curtailed! Just check the tide times and if low water is in the middle of the day then there should not be a problem.
St Brelade's is probably the most well-known and potentially busiest beach. It is child friendly and you have a choice of restaurants on the beach.
As for places to visit - Jersey Zoo, Underground Hospital, Elizabeth Castle, Gorey and Mont Orgueil Castle are probably top of my list. Plus if you do have a car you can explore the country lanes of the island which will give you a far better feel of the place compared to staying in St Helier. Alternatively rent bikes and cycle the island but this may not be a realistic option with an 18 month old!
Whatever you do I'm sure you'll enjoy it and the icing on the cake will be good weather!
I haven't used the buses on the island for years but they used to be infrequent and expensive.
The best beaches are only easily and conveniently reachable by car - Beau Port for example. Portelet is pretty good too with the pub at the top and if I recall correctly a bus stop too.
Plemont as mentioned previously is great in the NW of the island. Aside from the walk down (not quite a 1000 steps methinks!)be aware of the tides! During 'springs' the whole beach floods so your day could be curtailed! Just check the tide times and if low water is in the middle of the day then there should not be a problem.
St Brelade's is probably the most well-known and potentially busiest beach. It is child friendly and you have a choice of restaurants on the beach.
As for places to visit - Jersey Zoo, Underground Hospital, Elizabeth Castle, Gorey and Mont Orgueil Castle are probably top of my list. Plus if you do have a car you can explore the country lanes of the island which will give you a far better feel of the place compared to staying in St Helier. Alternatively rent bikes and cycle the island but this may not be a realistic option with an 18 month old!
Whatever you do I'm sure you'll enjoy it and the icing on the cake will be good weather!
caiss4 said:
I would strongly recommend hiring a car particularly with a young one in tow.
Plemont as mentioned previously is great in the NW of the island. Aside from the walk down [b]not quite a 1000 steps methinks!)[b] be aware of the tides! During 'springs' the whole beach floods so your day could be curtailed! Just check the tide times and if low water is in the middle of the day then there should not be a problem.
Fair enough, bloody felt like it as I was carrying my nipper and all his paraphernalia...Plemont as mentioned previously is great in the NW of the island. Aside from the walk down [b]not quite a 1000 steps methinks!)[b] be aware of the tides! During 'springs' the whole beach floods so your day could be curtailed! Just check the tide times and if low water is in the middle of the day then there should not be a problem.
When I was in Jersey a few years back we found cycling around was easy as the hills aren't too bad and the 20mph speed limit on most roads meant that the traffic was very easy to cope with.
The Tourist Association ran free "cycle tours" around various bits of the island. Very relaxed, and a local guy leading told you all about the various places as you went.
The Tourist Association ran free "cycle tours" around various bits of the island. Very relaxed, and a local guy leading told you all about the various places as you went.
You're on the summer timetable for buses, so they should be relatively plentiful.
The two castles are definitely to be seen - Gorey (Mont Orgeuil) and Elizabeth Castle.
The War Tunnels are probably Jersey's most well-known WW2 relic, and are very impressive. Also the Channel Islands Occupation Society will have the Noirmont Command Complex and MP1 tower open on the afternoon of the 25th. I would certainly recommend a visit http://www.ciosjersey.org.uk/OTP2.htm
For a more gentle afternoon in the sunshine, Samares Manor has beautiful gardens to wander round, with plenty of plants which struggle to grow in the UK http://www.samaresmanor.com/
My favourite beach has always been Green Island in St Clement, as it's sheltered and sandy, but just a stroll down the slipway from the car park and bus stop. However, Portelet Beach (just round the corner from Noirmont above) was voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world in some survey or other. Despite the many millions of steps, it is worth going to. Plemont, as already mentioned, is very beautiful too, with its impressive caves.
If you do go to St Brelade's Bay, take a moment to step inside the Fisherman's Chapel at the western end of the beach, next to the Parish Church, and see its 14th century wall paintings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishermen%27s_Chapel
Head up to La Mare Vineyards for a wonderful wine tasting - it really is excellent wine, and they have started making their own apple brandy too. http://www.lamarewineestate.com/
Finally, La Hogue Bie is not to be missed. One of the oldest and most important surviving Neolithic sites in Europe, it is quite awe-inspiring. Also see the 12th Century chapel above it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Hougue_Bie
The two castles are definitely to be seen - Gorey (Mont Orgeuil) and Elizabeth Castle.
The War Tunnels are probably Jersey's most well-known WW2 relic, and are very impressive. Also the Channel Islands Occupation Society will have the Noirmont Command Complex and MP1 tower open on the afternoon of the 25th. I would certainly recommend a visit http://www.ciosjersey.org.uk/OTP2.htm
For a more gentle afternoon in the sunshine, Samares Manor has beautiful gardens to wander round, with plenty of plants which struggle to grow in the UK http://www.samaresmanor.com/
My favourite beach has always been Green Island in St Clement, as it's sheltered and sandy, but just a stroll down the slipway from the car park and bus stop. However, Portelet Beach (just round the corner from Noirmont above) was voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world in some survey or other. Despite the many millions of steps, it is worth going to. Plemont, as already mentioned, is very beautiful too, with its impressive caves.
If you do go to St Brelade's Bay, take a moment to step inside the Fisherman's Chapel at the western end of the beach, next to the Parish Church, and see its 14th century wall paintings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishermen%27s_Chapel
Head up to La Mare Vineyards for a wonderful wine tasting - it really is excellent wine, and they have started making their own apple brandy too. http://www.lamarewineestate.com/
Finally, La Hogue Bie is not to be missed. One of the oldest and most important surviving Neolithic sites in Europe, it is quite awe-inspiring. Also see the 12th Century chapel above it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Hougue_Bie
Oh, and in terms of restaurants, there's loads of them. What you get does depend on budget (although, as anywhere, the two are not always linked!), but a list of some of the award winning restaurants can be found here: http://www.jersey.com/English/eatingout/foodies/Pa...
Bohemia, The Ocean Restaurant, and the Tassili restaurant all have Michelin stars. In addition, Mark Jordan, the head chef at the Ocean, also has Mark Jordan At the Beach (less formal food and less expensive than the Ocean), and Shaun Rankin, previously of Bohemia, has just opened Ormer http://www.ormerjersey.com/ - but if you want to go there at the end of July, from what I hear, you need to be booking a table right now!
Bohemia, The Ocean Restaurant, and the Tassili restaurant all have Michelin stars. In addition, Mark Jordan, the head chef at the Ocean, also has Mark Jordan At the Beach (less formal food and less expensive than the Ocean), and Shaun Rankin, previously of Bohemia, has just opened Ormer http://www.ormerjersey.com/ - but if you want to go there at the end of July, from what I hear, you need to be booking a table right now!
Hi, I live in Jersey and also have a 1.5 year old daughter! I would definitely get a hire car if i were you, will be less hassle than trawling around on the bus with all the gear you will no doubt have!
Many of the dining options recommended are good but are they really practical with a little one? Marina side at the Radisson is not a bad option for a late afternoon drink, they also have a big fish tank in the bar that always takes the little ones mind off things when she gets grizzly! You have TGI Fridays around the corner (food not amazing but child friendly and lots to take their mind off things). There is also THE BAR nearby and kids eat free before 7pm. St Brelades beach you have the Way Side and Crab Shack. St Ouen's beach El Tico Cantina is good for lunch or late evening and is also kid friendly, the beach has a long promenade for a stroll as does St Aubins bay if you head out west from the Radisson. Jersey Zoo? bit pricey to get in but nippers seem to enjoy getting up close with the animals. enjoy
Many of the dining options recommended are good but are they really practical with a little one? Marina side at the Radisson is not a bad option for a late afternoon drink, they also have a big fish tank in the bar that always takes the little ones mind off things when she gets grizzly! You have TGI Fridays around the corner (food not amazing but child friendly and lots to take their mind off things). There is also THE BAR nearby and kids eat free before 7pm. St Brelades beach you have the Way Side and Crab Shack. St Ouen's beach El Tico Cantina is good for lunch or late evening and is also kid friendly, the beach has a long promenade for a stroll as does St Aubins bay if you head out west from the Radisson. Jersey Zoo? bit pricey to get in but nippers seem to enjoy getting up close with the animals. enjoy
The youngster is just about old enough to enjoy some of the stuff at the http://www.jerseyleisure.co.uk/ which is good for a day out.
Echo the comments about the beach at St Brelade, spoil yourself with afternoon tea at http://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/hotels/lhorizon/ which has a pretty good outside grill overlooking the beach.
While you're at St Brelade you should see the chapel at the end (as someone has already mentioned) and you could bump into Nigel Mansell as the entrance to his house is very close to that.
Talking of Motor Sport stuff - check out the hill climb at Bouley Bay, theres a nice hotel at the bottom of the hill for a beer. Nice harbour too.
The Aqua Splash by the harbour has a kiddie area and for lots of soft play fun nip up the hill from the town to Fort Regent Leisure Centre which the last time we went was a bit of a hidden gem, doesn't seem to be advertised anywhere but is really good.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff