Questions for residents of Jersey please

[wejammin]

Hello! We're visiting Jersey next week for a fortnight, there's me, DH, and kids are 10, 8 and 3.
I've researched the attractions and I'm hoping that we spend most days on the beach to keep costs down.
I've learned that we're there during the battle of flowers which looks fab but DC1 is autistic and I think would struggle if the crowds are really big. Can anyone tell me if the floats are parked up somewhere to go and look at between the day parade on Thursday and the night parade on Friday?
If anyone has any other tips or advice on best places to go or eat I'd be so grateful. I'm on a tight budget so good value is important.
Thank you 😌

Oooh I'm getting all excited now! We're just trying to finish up packing, we're leaving at 6 am for the 5 hour drive to Poole. I don't think I'll be relaxed until we get on that ferry at 2:45!

@gracedentssketty yes I will report back!

Boat tour sounds good, DC would love to see dolphins! Not sure if it's a bit of a gamble, I can see DC1 having a meltdown if no dolphins appear.

Good to know that Jersey "busy" isn't heaving. We usually go to Cornwall for our summer holidays but last year it was horrendous for crowds so we thought we'd try something new.

@wejammin thank you! Have a fabulous time!

Something we didn't get around to investigating were the intertidal walks on the seabed by Jersey Walk adventures in the south east of the island. They do some after dark as well, they look interesting but depends on what your children like.

jerseywalkadventures.co.uk/

Update!
We arrived Sunday, ferry was pretty rough and lots of people throwing up 🤢 so good start! Thank god for Kwells Kids.

Campsite is lovely, so quiet and oh my goodness the stars are incredible.

The weather so far has been very kind.

Spent a day at St Ouens beach, it was glorious and hardly anyone around.
Explored Rozel Bay briefly, lots of rock pools to investigate and we'll go back there.
Went into St Helier, very pretty.
Found the splash park at Coronation Park which the kids thought was completely epic.
Did Amaizin today, we got there at 10 and stayed til 3 so it was expensive but a good few hours of entertainment. Left completely soaked after a water hose fight.

The kids are very happy here so far and have demanded we return annually.

Only downsides so far - lack of pavements mean we are driving everywhere, for example Rozel bay is 10 mins walk away but it's on country roads with blind bends so it felt very unsafe.

Also food prices - I miss Aldi!!

So happy you are having fun

We arrived Sunday, ferry was pretty rough and lots of people throwing up
That's why we take the slow boat from Portsmouth!

Also food prices - I miss Aldi!!
We eat out when there so it's not something I notice. Where are you shopping? There is a Morrisons in St Ouens village plus more shops & Waitrose at Red Houses. Other bigger(?) places are available around St Helier.

Ah yes food prices are a shock to the system when you are used to aldi!

The boat and sickness is why I fly lol

Yes there are very few pavements round the green lanes but remember the limit is 15mph so people are driving very slow (15mph on green lanes)

If you’re enjoying the stars keep an eye out for the persiod meteor shower which is happening now but peaks between the 12-13th of August. I usually go to Jersey to watch it there as the skies are so clear (weather permitting).

@TeenDivided we've mostly been picking up bits as we pass shops so Morrisons, co-op and m&s. It's not pricey per se, but it's more than Aldi where I pretty much exclusively shop. M&S would be considered a rare treat. £2.50 for 4 apples!!!

@Iwantcollarbones thanks, that's great info, will check best times to see and set an alarm.

We're having a lazy morning by the pool and might go to the lavender farm this afternoon - DC1 loves strong smells so I suspect will like it, plus kids are free so a cheap activity 👍

So glad you’re having a good time. You’ve certainly had nice weather!

are you here for the battle of flowers?

Glad you're having a good time OP! You've got great weather and only getting better over the weekend.

Have you been to the Zoo yet? They're having their 'Durrell At Dusk' evening today from 6pm-9pm, and admission is quite a bit cheaper because you only get 3 hours rather than the whole day. It's £10 Adults / £6 children compared to £18 / £14 usually. They've got animal talks and entertainment, and there are 2 cafes there too.

Worth a thought to save £40 if you don't need the whole day there.

Ignore me! I just realised that you're staying at the Zoo later in your trip anyway.

I'd do both!

Only downsides so far - lack of pavements mean we are driving everywhere, for example Rozel bay is 10 mins walk away but it's on country roads with blind bends so it felt very unsafe

You need to use the green lanes, you can largely avoid the busier roads. The tourist map of Jersey shows them clearly.

And yes, it's way less busy (and way nicer) than Cornwall!

I keep thinking of you in this glorious weather @wejammin! How lucky you are to have had a solid 2 weeks of sunshine and lovely beach temperatures!

How are you getting on? I always love Battle of Flowers week when the weather is nice, so many people (in relative Jersey terms) around enjoying the island. I love the buzz of it.

@FettleOfKish we're having a really glorious time! Thank you for thinking of us. Is the weather not always this fabulous?
We went to the war tunnels today, to be honest 10yo struggled, it was a bit intense for him and he was a bit disruptive. 8yo found it interesting though, and despite his outward boredom, 10yo did ask a lot of questions afterwards so it was an opportunity to discuss a lot of interesting history.

Spent the afternoon at the beach kayaking so that was a lot more his thing!

I do have questions - who on earth lives in all these amazing properties and how can I get one?! I had a brief look at Jersey property regulations (I'm a lawyer and a geek!!) and it's all very exclusive! Some of the houses have blown my mind, they're exquisite.

Is the weather not always this fabulous?

Well.... mostly In truth it's rare we have this long a stretch without a break in the weather.

I wish I knew who was in the houses! Finance chiefs and tax evaders I suspect Some friends have beautiful houses here but they're still not in the glass-fronted seafront mansion realm.

Yep it's pretty tricky to live here. I had to do 10 years long slog renting before I had the right to buy, and to be honest even then it was only due to an inheritance I was fortunate enough to be left. My tiny flat was a bit over £250k. I do have a sea view though

Whatever you're planning for tomorrow if it's not Battle of Flowers then I'd recommend sticking to the east or the north coast. Traffic will be horrific anywhere around town from 9.30am until 7pm. I'm WFH to avoid it

Alan Whicker lived not far from where you are staying. And if law is your interest, take a look at www.jerseylaw.je And no, the weather is not always like this - you have struck lucky!

You can probably get a licence if you’re a lawyer @wejammin - in fact, if you do decide to look into it please PM me!

Hello from the Durrell Hostel garden - would recommend!

We've been to the zoo today, what a glorious site, lots of shade. To be honest a lot of the animals were hiding away in the shade - I don't blame them! But we did see the gorillas and orangutans out in the sun and the bats were fabulous.

Very sad to be leaving tomorrow and crossing my fingers for a smoother ferry ride. The shipping forecast is looking more favourable so hopefully not as rough.

Anyone thinking of a holiday in Jersey, I would absolutely recommend. I know we've been incredibly lucky with the weather but I can't get over the beaches and the houses and the tranquility.

I've already booked our usual Cornwall site for next year and I'll be honest I'm already dreading the crowds in comparison!

So pleased you've had a good time! I know it's not a definite indication of tomorrow but we're on the boat home from St. Malo now and it's glassy smooth.

Did you manage to see the Battle floats?

So glad you had fun. Which were your best beaches / places to visit in the end?

@FettleOfKish that sounds hopeful! We avoided the battle floats as DC1 is autistic and doesn't do well with waiting around or crowds. If we come again I think I'll try and take DC2 as she'd probably enjoy it.

@TeenDivided the children's favourite was St Ouens beach, hands down. We went 4 times. Just perfect for skimboarding and body boarding and they liked the food at WaterSplash.

I loved Archirondel, so picturesque and had a lovely meal at the café there in the evening (except for the wasps. Jersey has an awful lot of wasps!!). I also really loved Hamptonne museum, and Rozel Bay is beautiful.

OP, it sounds like your ds1 would love the flow rider at the Merton Hotel. There is a separate indoor and outdoor pool with slides there too. Non-guests can pay to go in. My DD is autistic and spent many hours on the flow rider (it's a surfing simulator. She was 8 at the time and doing suns and flips and all sorts! Fantastic instructors who had loads of patience. Wetsuits etc included in price).

I love Jersey. We went a few years back and had the best holiday. Definitely want to go back.

There was also a free outdoor cinema in the park by the Merton Hotel (just outside St Helier). That was a lovely evening too. It was a pop up event for a week. Definitely check out if it's on whilst you are there.

Have a lovely time!

OP, it sounds like your ds1 would love the flow rider at the Merton Hotel. There is a separate indoor and outdoor pool with slides there too. Non-guests can pay to go in. My DD is autistic and spent many hours on the flow rider (it's a surfing simulator. She was 8 at the time and doing suns and flips and all sorts! Fantastic instructors who had loads of patience. Wetsuits etc included in price).

I love Jersey. We went a few years back and had the best holiday. Definitely want to go back.

There was also a free outdoor cinema in the park by the Merton Hotel (just outside St Helier). That was a lovely evening too. It was a pop up event for a week. Definitely check out if it's on whilst you are there.

Have a lovely time!

except for the wasps. Jersey has an awful lot of wasps

That's the downside of going in August - one of the reasons we tend to go in May (actually anywhere has loads of wasps in August, though to be fair I've not seen many where I live this year, I thought it was maybe too hot for them!). I remember being chased around by them one summer in Jersey and another when we went to Lake Constance.

May half term is a great time to go (actually anywhere in Europe, not just Jersey).