Population: 95,000
Main town: Saint Helier
Language: English, French and the local language jèrriais
Jersey every year experiences the same rush for the potato variety Jersey Royal as we do when the first new potatoes arrive?
Victor Hugo lived for a while in Saint Helier at the Pomme d´Or hotel? In 1855 he moved on to Guernsey where he wrote the classic “Les Misérables”?
About Jersey
The island is the largest and southernmost of the five Channel Islands and is usually called the Queen of the Channel Islands. The location 25 meters off the coast of Normandy and 130 km south of the English coast in the middle of the English Channel has blessed Jersey with a particularly pleasant climate which in turn contributes to a fantastic nature that springs into greenery already in February.
The Channel Islands are also called the Tidal Islands because strong tidal currents occur in the English Channel. This particular phenomenon can be observed in Jersey, which due to its unique location in St. Malo Bay grows and shrinks by up to 12 meters every six hours. It is one of the largest tidal changes on earth.
Jerseys history
Jersey and the Channel Islands belonged from 933 to the Duchy of Normandy and when the Duke became English king in 1066, the islands also became English. In 1204, England lost Normandy while the islands remained English. During World War II, Jersey became the only English territory in Europe occupied by the Germans and was not liberated until May 9, 1945. Even today, the remains of German defenses can be seen on Jersey, often intricately built into the cliffs.
Today, Jersey has autonomy, but as a so-called British Crown, there is still a British governor on the island. Jersey is not a member of the EU and there are therefore favorable tax conditions for both residents and visitors. This has given Jersey the nickname “Monaco of the Channel Islands”.
The island is a wonderful mix of the best of Great Britain and France with a distinct Anglo-French atmosphere, rich in history, beautiful nature and great conditions for beach life with over 70 km of coastline and 30 beaches. With just an hour’s ferry ride from the Normandy coast, it’s never far from exciting French experiences. The gastronomic level on the island is generally high and the many restaurants serve delicacies from the sea and locally produced ingredients – among others. the famous Jersey Royal potato, the tender Jersey beef and dairy products based on the rich Jersey milk.
Ever-changing Jersey is always beautiful no matter the weather and tide levels. Despite the turbulent history and perhaps the world’s most extreme tidal differences, the rocky island is firmly anchored and enriched by the passage of time – with the very best of both British and French culture.
About Saint Helier
Jersey’s capital Saint Helier is one of the Channel Islands’ real hotspots and one of the most popular cities to visit due to the fine mix of ancient traditions and modernity. In addition, the location is perfect for those who want to go out and discover all the sights of Jersey.
If Jersey is the queen of the Channel Islands, Saint Helier is the crown on the royal head. The city is named after the island’s first and most famous saint who lived as a hermit on a small tidal island in St. Aubin’s Bay in the 6th century. Here you will find today the ruins of the small monastery church that was built on the site where it is believed that Helier lived. Here is also the beautiful and impressive castle Elizabeth Castle which was started in the 17th century to protect the city from invasions. The special thing about the island is that you can go to it at low tide while you have to take the ferry home a few hours later when the tide has risen. An excursion here is truly an experience!
The city has many museums, an opera house and many exciting historical sites and buildings. In the modern St. Helier, the past is constantly present, e.g. through the World War II Freedom Monument in Liberation Square, on the older streets with the original French street names and with the old shop fronts still decorated with the names of the first owners. In the parish church, a collection of different architectural styles awaits and those who wish can participate when one of the Commonwealth’s oldest parishioners gathers in its premises at Royal Square. The city’s covered market halls from 1882 are built in Victorian style and offer all – world fruits and vegetables, flowers and local delicacies produced from the finest ingredients from the island.
The city is also blessed with two lovely beaches with accompanying promenades. To the east of the beach area is the beach Havre des Pas and to the west is St Aubin´s Bay whose lovely beach area extends all the way to the neighboring town of St. Aubin. Just like St. Helier, the city has a fine cultural offer and also good shopping experiences, golf courses and a varied café and restaurant offer. It is a wonderful place to go on a journey of discovery – whether it is on foot, by bike or on horseback. Here has everything you can dream of of beach life with all that it entails in the pleasant climate.
Climate and weather Jersey
Here you can read about the climate and weather in Jersey, and see temperatures in St. Helier.
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | CHRISTMAS | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| St. Helier | ||||||||||||
| Daytime temperature | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 7 | 6 |
| Night temperature | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 90 | 74 | 71 | 54 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 108 | 111 |
We are working on developing new trips to Jersey, but currently have no information about when they are ready for sale with us at Albatros. Our new trips to Jersey will be up on our website when they are ready.
