Top 10 things to do in Jersey

Hop into the sturdy rib with the team from Jersey Sea Safaris and let them whisk you off to a cheeky little sandbar. On route, you might just be joined by a local bottlenose dolphin pod – or get a quizzical look from an Atlantic Grey Seal. Sea birds and gorgeous views are guaranteed – along with a yearning to move in to one of the fishermen’s cottages you’ll find precariously perched on The Ecrehous. A plucky set of islands that also happen to be perfect places for a summer picnic. 

Just next door to Jersey’s lavender farm, you’ll find a private garden that’s free and open to the public. But it’s not just any garden. The 1.5 acre plot has been lovingly pruned, planted and propagated by community champion Reg Langlois. Filling the free attraction with flowers to attract wildlife, water features to wow the eye and sheds full of knickknacks to intrigue little ones, he’s created Jersey’s best kept secret. Some days you can stroll the entire garden and not see a soul. Others, Reg is weeding and keen for a chat. Do say hello, and make a donation, if you can. 

You can work through your yoga routine just about anywhere, but ever tried teetering precariously atop a SUP board in your warrior pose? Wind Madness run regular SUPFit yoga classes that’ll test your core strength to the max. Is there any chance of tapping into yoga’s famously relaxing zen? Unlikely. Their 60 minute sessions are maxed out on balance, concentration co-ordination and a sprinkling of fun. Bring a wetsuit along for one of their group or 1-on-1 sessions. 

If you find yourself wondering what to do in Jersey, take a walk. Hike along the coast, stroll around 18 holes on one of Jersey’s golf courses, amble on the beach – stopping on route for a bit of rockpooling, take a free guided walk around St Helier or wander around around the La Mare Wine Estate and take a nip of cognac. There’s geocaching, if you need an excuse to comb the countryside and foodie foraging supplied by a Ray Mears accredited bushman, if you can track him down. Strolling around gets pretty adventurous on this island. 

It’s rare that you’ll catch us recommending a visit to a lavender farm. It’s not that we’re against fragrant fields of joy, per se, there’s usually little to do except admire the foliage. Not so at Jersey Lavender Farm. Kids under 14 go free – which is a blessing for families looking to entertain the troops on a budget. And, once you’re through the heady scented gates you’re free to shop, smell and eat the lavender – in the cafe, not the fields. Join a talk in the distillery, feed the chooks, watch the harvest, peek around the well-manicured gardens, spot wildlife in the meadow walk and nature trails and – above all, save time to cuddle the guinea pigs.

Off all the things to do in Jersey, castles should come top of the list. A day at Elizabeth Castle is about more than sturdy stone walls and a muse over history. Your day starts with a ride on an amphibious vehicle and the adventures flow from there. Find all the hidden passageways and secret rooms, let a volunteer guide clue you into the castle’s previous occupants, birdwatch from the battlements or hike along the breakwater for views over the bay. For something more medieval, Mont Orgueil in Gorey is home to prayer nuts and a wheel of urine – both of which demand further investigation. 

Wander deep into Jersey’s War Tunnels to uncover the story of hardship and heroics that took place over 5 years of Nazi occupation. The era is brought to life on the tunnel walls by testimonies from people who lived through the bleak and testing time. Experiencing food shortages, sieges, slavery and more, these dark years in Jersey’s history are thoughtfully preserved in time with artefacts and scenes depicting daily life underground. A thought-provoking attraction that deserves a place on your things to do in Jersey list.