10 reasons why you should visit Jersey in 2016

Brilliant beaches, excellent restaurants and a smattering of culture - and all so close, says Phil Clarke
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Phil Clarke10 October 2016

Situated 55 minutes flying time from London, Jersey is no longer just the back drop for 80s crime series Bergerac or a repository for duffle bags of cash thanks to the island’s offshore banking industry.

It has become a ‘foodie destination’ (those are very much non-ironic air-quotes, the food’s great), perfect for anyone who loves the sea and with a bit of culture thrown in.

Here are ten reasons to book a weekend escape to the Southern-most point of the British Isles right away. And don’t worry, you can still catch Bergerac on the Drama channel.

Brilliant Beaches

For an island not much larger than a sheet of A4, Jersey certainly does have a varied 50 mile coastline. With rugged cliffs to the North and endless sand dunes to the West, the island is perfect for sunbathing - try St Brelade’s Bay on the south coast for the golden sandy beach experince - or gentle hiking. The combination of shallow water and being so far South makes the water the most tolerable in Britain for swimming.

Surfing at St Ouen 
Visit Jersey

Water water everywhere

When you’re surrounded by water then it’s only natural that an entire island would be dippy about taking a dip. And of course, when it comes to watersports the island has plenty to offer. Whether it’s jetskiing, windsurfing Jersey is sea-mad, book yourself on a kayaking tour (jerseykayakadventures.co.uk) or go ‘blow karting’ on the shore at St Ouen’s (jerseyadventures.com/activities/blokarting).

Lots and lots of potatoes

Bear with me: they may be just spuds, chips and mash to you and me, but Jersey takes potatoes seriously. Seriously seriously. When you order a portion of Genuine Jersey Jersey Potatoes you can guarantee that they’ve spent fewer than 24 hours out of the soil before they’re on your plate. Served as a delicacy, they really do taste like no potatoes you’ve had before with a touch of Jersey butter.

Visit Jersey

No Brexit chat

If you’re sick of every other conversation in London being about Brexit, look no further. Jersey isn’t in the EU, they never Brentered.

Excellent restaurants

Jersey has some excellent restaurants, cementing itself as a real destination for food lovers. Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin recently opened Ormer in St Helier, named after a type of local sea snail but the lobster is to die for, likewise the slow cooked beef. If you’re after views and something a bit more chilled, then grab a table around sunset at El Tico on the West coast for a stunning view and excellent food (they don’t take reservations so you may need to hussle a bit). The perfect in-between option is The Boathouse in St Aubin, great views and a menu to rival any in London - order the oysters even if you're not an oyster person.

The Boat House
The Boat House

It’s really close

The drive to Cornwall, probably Jersey’s closest relative in the UK, involves planning a route, buying in provisions and a lifetime spent in standstill traffic on the A303. The flight to Jersey is less than an hour and regular as clockwork out of Gatwick, Luton and London City. You can be door-to-door from the office to the beach in less than 2 hours.

Fancy hotels

As could be expected, Jersey follows up its top-end restaurants with equally exclusive hotels. Longueville Manor just outside the capital, St Hellier, is a good option. I earns its five stars with highly personalised rooms, (another) brilliant restaurant and a fantastic working Victorian kitchen garden providing almost for all the hotel’s needs. Another notable hotel is The Atlantic in St Brelade, but there’s a whole range on the island to suit most budgets.

A suite at Longueville Manor hotel
Longueville Manor

A smattering of culture

Jersey was occupied by the Germans during the war and the War Tunnels, an underground Nazi hospital, tell the chilling yet compelling story of the occupation, resistance and liberation. Well worth a visit, and if your spirits need lifting afterward then a tour of the vineyard at La Mare Wine Estate wouldn’t go amiss. There’s also an opera house, perfect for the culture-vulture. For actual vultures, try the zoo (durrell.org).

The southern-most loo in the UK

The Minquiers (pronounced mink-ease) are a group of islands just south of Jersey. At low tide they take up more land than Jersey itself, but at high tide they are almost entirely covered over. Take a trip (jerseyseafaris.com) and spend the morning on the white sands of the natural lagoon revealed as the waters retreat. Then spend a penny in the official Southern-most public convenience in the UK (you have to flush it with a bucket of seawater).

Follow Phil Clarke on twitter @Triflemonster

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