Europe• Travel · August 17, 2025

A Week in Jersey

If I had to sum up the perfect summer holiday it would look a little bit like this:

Lazy mornings spent cooking boiled eggs for my little boy and I, meandering drives to new places and shouting ‘I can see the sea!’ for the first, second and third times that day. Lunchtime picnics on the beach with foil wrapped sandwiches and crisps from home and post-lunch ice creams or cups of sugary tea- depending on your preference (or, of course both).

Sticky fingers and collecting sand, rocks and shells in every bag, pocket or crease there is. Paddling, swimming and splashing in the sea and the joy of it not being absolutely Baltic. And! Seeing your toes beneath you in the sea! It’s that clear! And early evening drives home, as the sun becomes lower and lazier; with the important decision of should we just get a fish and chips on the way home? Save cooking?

Last week my family and I got back from a week in Jersey. It’s not somewhere I knew a huge amount about before I went, but thanks to the magic power of my brother meeting a really wonderful human (a.k.a girlfriend) from there; being able to spend a week with her family was on the cards for this years summer holiday- and what a joy it was! I don’t think we could have asked for a lovelier setting, nicer company or a more beautiful place to explore over 7 days.

Being just over a 40 minute flight from London (or, if you have your sea legs 4 hours on a boat from the south coast); I think Jersey might be one of the most beautiful little gems you can travel to. With vast rural landscapes, lush winding country paths, roads with parades of powdery hydrangeas and agapanthus bursting out of beds. Plus, being an island, is also surrounded by some of the most gorgeous stretches of beaches I’ve seen. It’s a complete feast of a place. Not only does it do traditional beach holiday haven so well; with red Wall’s umbrellas flanking ice-cream shops and little coastal shops dotted with brightly coloured buckets and spades outside, but it also has flavours of France too; with mansard roofs and chocolate box houses all exhibiting elegant French names I can’t understand, but my goodness doesn’t everything sound more beautiful in French?

One of the biggest perks of an island like this, is that everything is so close. We hired a car and I don’t think there was anywhere that took us more than 15 minutes to get to (bearing in mind we stayed pretty centrally), but I loved the fact that we could be at the beach, a castle or the centre really quickly (which was also great with an under 5 too)! We packed in everything from rock-pooling, beach combing, castle hopping, swimming, antiquing and charity shopping and it was absolutely perfect. The beaches truly are the jewell in Jersey’s crown and whether you want to surf, sunbathe on enormous stretches of white sand, rock-pool, comb through pebbles and pottery or explore the caves and coves of hidden bays; there isn’t much you won’t find here.

Anyway! I thought I’d pop together a little list of the best places we visited in case you end up visiting, or fancy planning a little trip soon. I was also generously given some extra spots from you lovely lot, so I’ve added those in below too as places top of my next-time list!

Seeing & Splashing

Havre de Pas & The Lido – What a spot! We visited here as the sun was going down and oh my! What a spot for an early evening dip. The art deco tidal pool and swim club completely stole my heart (and had nothing to do with the fact there was ABBA was playing out loud nearby)….

St. Brelades Bay – If you know me, you’d have thought that the fact that this beach that has an actual Pizza Express on it would be the jewel in its crown but much to my own amazement; it’s natural beauty swept me away first! With peaceful waters and stretches of pale sand, it is truly beautiful.

St. Oeun’s Bay (Les Laveurs Car Park) – One of the things I was most taken by was the variety of coastline in Jersey, and spending an afternoon rock pooling at St. Ouen’s (spotting no less than an actual tiny lobster, crabs and many little fishes) was so peaceful with a picnic packed lunch. There’s also a lovely ice cream van often parked in the car park for a post-lunch Mr Whippy!

Elizabeth Castle – I didn’t know much about Jersey’s rich history until visiting, and a morning at Elizabeth Castle is a wonderful way of delving into the island’s past. Take a picnic and watch the world go by, and soak up the beautiful panoramic views from the sea.

Plémont Beach – Tucked below a dramatic cliff edge lies Plémont beach. A stunning cove dotted with hidden caves, stretches of sand peppered with pools and a cliff-view cafe with views across the bay. We spent an afternoon here and I could have happily come back every day; what a spot!

Bonne Nuit – This perfectly petite harbour is a gorgeous spot for an afternoon ice cream and some serious beach combing when the tide is out. I could have spent all afternoon scoping through the pebbles and rocks for small treasures.

Eating

La Braye – This was our first stop after we had landed, and what a spot for lunch! What a view! I cannot think of a more beautiful spot for lunch or a breakfast with a seriously impressive view.

La Braye, Gd Rte des Mielles, JE3 8FN, Jersey

Hank Marvin – A charming unassuming spot which boasts an epic breakfast and lunch menu which is absolutely delicious.

Rue de Haut de l’Orme, Jersey JE3 5FG, Jersey

The Potato Shack – A gorgeous spot for a contemporary breakfast (see the French toast to the left!) in the most rustic cosy setting. Go and visit the cows at the farm down the road afterwards!

Woodlands Farm, Rue de Maupertuis, JE2 3HG, Jersey

The Hungry Man – Whether you want a place to enjoy a cuppa and watch people swimming in Rozel bay, or just a place to cosy up on a rainy morning by the boats. Grab a sandwich at The Hungry Man because it may well be the best bacon bap I’ve ever had.

La Brecque du Nord Rozel JE, JE3 5BN, Jersey

The Yard – Tucked away in the centre of town, and perfect for a spot of lunch (inside or out!) if you’ve been mooching around the museum or shops.

The Weighbridge, Weighbridge Pl, JE2 3NG, Jersey

Shopping

Charity Shops – One thing Jersey does impressively well are charity shops. Not your average high street additions though; oh no! We’re talking warehouse style browsing with absolute treasures to be found. If you’re after an afternoon of thrifting and digging out gems take note of Durrell’s by the zoo, The Hospice Shop and Acorn.

St Aubin – I feel like wherever I go, I am on the hunt for a cracking car boot and/or antiques fair. Luckily for me, on the first weekend of the month Jersey has a gorgeous antiques fair in St Aubin; with stalls including antique French linens, knick-knacks, home wear and so much more. Thankfully a lot was cash only which curbed any impulse purchases, but well worth a pop by!