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About Jersey
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| Heritage Sites |
Channel Island Occupation Society
The society has restored some of the best examples of the island's German fortifications, including the naval command bunker and tower at Noirmont Point, an army artillery complex at Les landes, and various defence bunkers with associated weaponry around the coastline. For details of opening times please call.
Tel: 01534 482029
Channel Islands Military Museum
The only display of all authentic German WW2 militaria as well as a superb collection of civilian Occupation items. Also, the island's only display of running military motorcycles, all displayed in a 10.50m coastal defence bunker which formed part of Hitler's extensive Atlantic Wall. A 40 minute commentary of first hand Occupation experiences, the museum gives an accurate insight into the island's recent history. Seasonal Opening.Five Mile Road, St Ouen
Tel: 01534 723136
Elizabeth Castle & The Hermitage
Built on a rocky islet in the 1590's, the castle was named after Queen Elizabeth I by Sir Walter Raleigh whilst he was Governor of Jersey. There are exhibitions explaining the role of the castle in Jersey's history. The Hermitage, a small chapel, has been a holy place since the 12th century and is dedicated to the saint from whom the town of St Helier takes its name. Seasonal opening
St Aubins Bay, St Helier
Tel: 01534 633300
www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Mont Orgueil Castle
Built in the thirteenth century to protect the island against the French, this dramatic castle towers over the harbour at Gorey. This jewel in Jersey's crown is one of the best preserved castles in Britain and one of the most photographed sites in the island. It makes the perfect back-drop for medieval drama and re-enactment with spectacular views over the island and across the sea to France. Groups by arrangement. For conferences, events and hire of Castle, contact the Jersey Museum. Attraction open weekends only during winter period.
Gorey
St Martin. Bus 1 & 1b
Tel: 01534 633300
www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Gorey Interpretation Centre
The recently opened interpretation centre is located at the former Harbourmaster's house on Gorey Pier. Every aspect of life in and around the picturesque harbour is explained and portrayed on display panels featuring old photographs and paintings. Seasonal opening.
Gorey Pier, St Martin
Grosnez Castle (ruin) and Le Pinacle
Located alongside the race course on the north-west coast of St Ouen, this castle is now a ruin but was once important for the Islanders protection. The distant views over the clifftops are spectacular and they take in the rest of the Channel Islands and the huge swells of the Atlantic Ocean. Grosnez's origins are obscure but evidence suggests a date around the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries and that it has deteriorated through age rather than being destroyed in battle. The Castle relied mainly upon the precipitous cliffs for defence, which surround it on three sides. Le Pinacle is a 200ft high rock which featured as an object of worship for thousands of years.
Les Landes, St Ouen Bus: 8
Hamptonne
You can get close to 300 years of Jersey's rural heritage in this collection of farm buildings and meadows. The site is brought alive by talkative characters from the past, demonstrations of by-gone skills, guided tours and plenty of small animals. Give yourself plenty of time to explore the buildings and stroll around the kitchen garden and meadows.. Seasonal opening. This site will be closed from 20th June to 16th July for a major film production.
La Rue de la Patente, St Lawrence
Tel: 01534 633300 Bus: 7
www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Island Fortress Occupation Museum
An extensive collection of uniforms, military equipment, field vehicles and documents, together with a video cinema showing a 45 minute film on the Occupation. The original World War II film depicts how the war affected Jersey and how the islanders coped with no food and no new supplies.
9 Esplanade, St Helier
Tel: 01534 734306
Jersey Museum
A visit to the award-winning museum is an excellent start to any stay in Jersey. Here you will find the real history, traditions and culture of the island explained in a way that is both exciting and understandable. Voted the "most outstanding tourist attraction to open in the British Isles" in 1992 by the Guild of Travel Writers and winner of the British National Heritage IBM Museum of the year award 1993-94, there is something for all the family.
The Weighbridge, St Helier
Tel: 01534 633300
www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Jersey War Tunnels (formerly German Underground Hospital)
This complex of tunnels was excavated between October 1941 and January 1944 by the occupying German forces using forced and slave labour. In January 1944, with the Allied Invasion looming it was converted into a bomb and assault-proof casualty clearing station. The result was almost a kilometre of concrete-lined tunnels and galleries comprising of wards for 500 casualties, staff quarters, operating theatre, kitchens and stores. Within the complex is the award winning 'Captive Island' exhibition, the definitive and chillingly realistic story of the German Occupation of Jersey. A number of recent facets have also been added, these are a Garden of Reflection, War Trail and a Research Centre, along with a permanent exhibition entitled Szabo, dedicated to the life of a war heroine whose daugher lives in Jersey. Children under 16yrs old must be accompanied by an adult. Attraction open from 12 February until 18 December.
Meadowbank, St Lawrence
Tel: 01534 860808
www.jerseywartunnels.com
La Hougue Bie
A Neolithic burial mound, dating back 5,500 years dominates this tranquil site. Following recent excavations, the entrance to the tomb has now been restored to its original glory. A tiny chapel is situated on top of the mound, (Mabon Crypt can be seen in this chapel) and in addition, there are geology and archaeology galleries and a World War Two German bunker. This bunker houses a unique memorial to the memory of the slave-workers in the Channel Islands during the second World War. In the grounds of the museum stands the Neolithic House which is the focus for a number of activities designed to give visitors a better understanding of the day-to-day life of the community that built the burial mound. Seasonal opening.
La Hougue Bie, Grouville
Tel: 01534 633300 Bus: 3a
www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Living Legend
The Jersey Experience is a voyage through time which begins on the deck of a Victorian paddle steamer destined for St Helier. During the early part of this journey visitors have the chance to learn about Jersey as it is today; to discover how it relates to Britain both politically and geographically, how the legislature is organised and to learn something of the traditions of the Island. The Living Legend has its own Adventure Golf course and Craft and Shopping Village. Local cuisine can also be sampled in their Jersey Kitchen Restaurant. Attraction open from March until the end of November. Member of the Premier Attractions Group.
La Rue du Petit Aleval, St Peter
Tel: 01534 485496
www.jerseyslivinglegend.co.je
Maritime Museum
Set in the historic harbour area of St.Helier, the Maritime Museum takes as its theme, the sea and our relationship with it. It reflects the experience of islanders and Jersey's Maritime heritage, both contemporary and historic. Each of the three areas has a different emphasis - the elements, the boats and the people. The elements are the natural phenomena - the tides, the wind, the waves and the coastline. Boats provide the means for people to travel on the sea. This is where you can discover the basic principles of boat design and propulsion. Living in an island means that people have spent the last 8,000 years building on their relationship with the sea. Here we have the human story of Jersey's maritime heritage for you to see, hear, touch and even smell. Before you leave, you will also have a chance to see restoration work being carried out on one of our historic boats in the boat workshop - you may even have some questions for the boat builder.
New North Quay, St Helier
Tel: 01534 633300
www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
Pallot Steam, Motor & General Museum
Step back in time and enjoy a fascinating collection of steam engines, vintage and classic vehicles, bicycles, tractors, agricultural implements and other machinery, together with a variety of organs, including a pipe church and Compton theatre organ and numerous items of memorabilia all housed in this absorbing Museum. Among the collection are two Marshall steam rollers, a superbly restored 1904 Ransomes traction engine and a rare Merlin portable. Train rides in Victorian carriages hauled by steam locomotive may be taken on certain days. Photographic displays on the Jersey Railways, transport and motor sports. Liberation 60 steam fayre will be held on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May, 2005, and steam threshing fayre will take place late summer. Winter visitors welcome by appointment. Disabled facilities and wheelchair friendly.
Rue de Bechet, Trinity
Tel: 01534 865307
Fortifications and Sites of special historic interest in Jersey
North Coast
On either side of Bouley Bay there are two forts; Leicester and L’Étacquerel, the North Coast Visitor Centre housed in an old British garrison built during the Napoleonic wars is situated at Grève de Lecq and further east, the Dolmen du Faldouet can be found which is an unusual gallery grave beside an 18th Century guard house.
West Coast
Three Jersey defensive towers - La Rocco, Kempt and Lewis are a feature of this coastline.
Also in St. Ouen’s bay is La Caumine à Marie Best, a guard house and powder magazine built during the 18th Century.
In the south-west of the bay evidence of prehistoric civilisation can be found including La Tables Des Marthes - a Capstone, La Sergenté - a corbelled tomb and the Great menhir - a long stone.
A collection of German fortifications also exists including coastal artillery.
South Coast
Dolmens can be found in the south of the Island. These include Mont Ubé (c. 4,000 - 3,250 BC), and a cist-in-circle in St. Andrew’s park.
Out from La Rocque is Seymour Tower, one of the towers built after the Battle of Jersey in 1782.
East Coast
The east coast is dominated by Mont Orgueil Castle, built during the reign of King John in the 13th century. On the headland at Mont St. Nicholas is Victoria Tower, the last Martello tower to be constructed.
La Pouquelaye de Faldouet, a passage grave dating from c. 4,000 to 3,250 BC can also be found.
La Hougue Bie is one of the finest prehistoric monuments in western Europe. The site is dominated by a massive burial mound which dated also between 4,000 and 3,250 BC.
A total of some 7 ‘Round’ Towers can be found from La Rocque along the east coast to St. Catherine’s Bay.
La Corbière Lighthouse - 1874
This was the first lighthouse in the British Isles to be built of reinforced concrete. Designed by Sir John Coode, consulting engineer to the States of Jersey Piers and Harbours Committee; it was built by his resident engineer, Mr Imrie Bell
All materials for the tower and causeway were carried from St Helier by barge and landed by wire jackstay onto the lower platform work area. The mixed concrete was hauled up an inclined railway to the top of the rock and cast in situ. The walls are 5ft 3ins (1.6m) thick at the base and 2ft 6ins (0.8m) at the top. The total cost was £8,001, which included the causeway and keepers’ cottages.
The tower is 62ft (19m) high and the lamp 119ft (36m) above high water spring tides, thus enabling it to be seen from the horizon at 18 miles. The light shows for 5 seconds in every 10, white to seaward and red along the coast to the north and to the east. It was lit for the first time on 24 April 1874.
Messrs. Chance Brothers Ltd. of Smethwick, Birmingham built the light. The fixed 4ft 10ins (1500mm) catadioptric lens was lit, until 1965, by a vaporising paraffin (kerosene) lamp with clockwork driven shade. It is now driven electrically with a 1000-watt lamp that gives an intensity of 300,000 candles.
The original fog signal, a bell and an explosive detonator, was replaced in 1933 by a compressed air horn with engines in the lower square building. Today, the electric foghorn gives four blasts (letter C in Morse Code) every minute. There is also a radio beacon at the lighthouse (295.50 KHz).
The four keepers, who lived in the nearby cottages, kept watch until 1976 when the light was automated. As well as maintaining the light and fog signal, they passed details of approaching ships to Fort Regent Signal Station and St Helier Harbour Office.
The lighthouse was camouflaged and the light was dimmed on 4th September 1939. It was extinguished in June 1940 for the duration of the German Occupation and, except for special operations was not relit until 19 May 1945.
Today the States of Jersey Harbours Department and the Department of Electronics maintain the lighthouse. There is a fail-safe radio link to operate the fog signal from the Jersey Marine Radio Station located on the old German rangefinder tower half a mile to the east. The old compressor room houses an emergency generator and there is an emergency light of reduced power.
PTGH wish to thank Jersey Tourism for their help in providing the above information.
19/01/2006
© 2006 Preston Travel Group Holdings Limited. All rights reserved.
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