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About Jersey
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| Walk 5 - A Grouville Gander |
For the most part in the Parish of Grouville, the walk is along country lanes through outdoor tomato fields, over high ground with spectacular views of Mont Orgueil Castle and Grouville Bay, finishing with a stroll along the beach, tide permitting.
Attractions
Grouville
Refreshment Stops
Pubs: The Seymour Inn (Jersey Brewery), Grouville Tavern (Jersey Brewery) and The Pembroke Hotel (Randall's)
Bus Routes
Bus No 1 to the Seymour Inn; No's 1b and 2c to the Pembroke Hotel
Start the walk at The Seymour Inn, a typical Jersey country pub with the accent on fishing talk - people here love to go low-water fishing on big spring tides, walking out to Seymour Tower, clearly visible 2 kms out to sea. The pub serves a good pint and excellent food and snacks. Walk inland along Seymour Place and join the main road at the little chapel of St Peter de la Rocque. Brent geese in winter and Jersey cows can be seen in the marshy fields around. The Jersey Eastern Railway line passed this way until it closed in 1936.
Cross into Rue des Nouettes, then over the main road after the greenhouses, up Rue Crevecoeur and past Grouville Mill, the oldest of Jersey's once 64 wind- and watermills, now a shipping mark and house! The sails were removed during the war to create an observation tower. The next junction is known as 'La Croix de La Bataille' recalling a bloody battle against Spanish raiders in 1406. Turn right to descend 'Blood Hill', (the lane, not the main road), to Grouville Parish Hall, once the parish school, and the shooting range (shooting is one of the island's major sports). The pretty 11th century church of St Martin de Grouville is a short distance to the right.
Cross the main road with care into La Rue de Grouville, passing Home Farm (1748) and a granite cottage from 1689. Fork right along La Rue du Moulin de Bas, passing the grassy retaining wall of Queen's Valley Reservoir (1991). There is an attractive walk around the reservoir, accessed from the next turning to the left.
Turn next right beyond Lower Mill and Les Pres Manor, down the hill through Grouville Marsh, a nature reserve and haven for migrant birds. The island has over 120 species of resident or migrant birds.
Cross the main road by the cemetery - notice the magnificent yew trees, reputed to keep away bad spirits - and fork right at the 1893 milestone.
On the left opposite the primary school is The Grouville Tavern, and the Pembroke Hotel a short distance further on. The walker is spoilt for choice for rest and refreshment!
Walk now across the golf course to the sea. This is common land, but the Greens are sacrosanct! Turn right along the promenade, or along the beach if the tide permits to the first slipway (Le Hurel). The slipways or 'Charrieres' are still used today to bring seaweed (vraic) from the beach for use as fertiliser on the potato fields.
Depending on the tide, walk along the beach or the road back to the Seymour Inn, passing a number of 18th century coastal towers (properly called Conway towers after the Governor of the time), several now part of private houses.
Glossary:
Nouettes
Crevecoeur
Grouville
Hurel
Charriere
PTGH wish to thank Jersey Tourism for their help in providing the above information. 22/11/05
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