To go to Jersey in December?

[allotmentgardener]

The kids won't need a passport (saves buckets - they don't have one yet - aged 2 and 4, fully vaccinated so just a test on arrival no need to test on return. They get to experience a real airplane but its really quick just 40 minutes?
But the question is - will there be anything to do with small children?

Why on earth would it be unreasonable? Go on holiday when and where you like!

The weather may not be too bad, and Jersey has a nice Christmas market. However if it is usual damp winter Jersey weather, it may not be that great. I love Jersey but I think it's a warm(ish) weather destination. I am going to Guernsey at the end of this month and am really worried about the weather being rubbish.

It could be quite damp, with miserable weather, and if stormy flights can be disrupted.

But there should be plenty to do - Gerald Durrell's Zoo, the Maritime Museum (good for DC), the Jersey museum, Gorey Castle (which I think is better for little ones than Elizabeth Castle, but that one is worth a visit too), hire 4 people bikes and ride along the sea front. I think aMaizin Maze is open year round (the play area is great for children, but obviously no maize Maze at that time of year)

Then there are all the beaches and parks if the weather is nice (it's milder than UK) plus the big (indoor) Aquasplash in St Helier (there's also a small, partly indoor, water park at the Merton Hotel - free for guests, expensive for day pass for non-residents, but I don't know if it stays open year round -check with the hotel if you're interested)

I agree with all AuntieStella 's recommendations.

Plus: Watching waves at St Ouens, and walking across to Corbiere Lighthouse.

(& I'm jealous. Missed visiting both last summer and this summer)

Loads to do in jersey and I loved the Merton hotel.

Jersey is a lovely place to go with kids

OK. You have sold it to me!!

Loads of good suggestions here already. Jump Jersey (indoor trampolining etc) at Les Ormes is great. There’s also bowling etc there.

The bus service to visit all the different areas of Jersey is excellent and most children seem to love a bus ride!
I stayed in St Helier which gave me and my two older boys lots of options for things to do. The town centre felt very safe on an evening. There are varied food options from McDonalds through to fine dining.
We stayed in the Premier Inn and although it can never be described as a luxury hotel it was perfect for our needs - very central and with a supermarket underneath. 10 mins walk from the bus station.
I would definitely go back.

I’ve been a lot. It’s uk weather so I’d not bother in winter, beaches will be chilly and windy. Can’t imagine how windy and cold St Ouens will be

I live in Jersey. Slightly amused at some of these answers. The Christmas market runs for two days so if you have hopes of that (and unless your kids are fascinated by ‘handmade things in the shape of Jersey’ I wouldn’t pin too much on it) do check days.

Durrell is wonderful, yes. Jersey Museum is lovely but won’t detain young kids long. Maritime Museum and Gorey castle are usually only open on Sundays in December although they may open for longer this year in light of the difficult year. The Maize in winter is an expensive soft play with not a huge amount for kids your age to do to justify the cost.

The Merton I think is closed in December but worth checking. All hospitality in Jersey is experiencing real staff shortages too so some places are opening less than usual. Aquasplash has a small toddler pool.

Some pubs have soft play which might be open now restrictions have lifted.

The outdoors stuff is lovely if the weather works for you, but overall Jersey in December with small kids is challenging. I think pretty much all my parent friends would echo that.

@SisterAgatha

I’ve been a lot. It’s uk weather so I’d not bother in winter, beaches will be chilly and windy. Can’t imagine how windy and cold St Ouens will be

Oh but the waves

Obviously in December it won't be sun bathing weather and you have to dress appropriately. It tends to be like the south coast of England, only better. We've been in T-shirts in the Oct/Nov half term occasionally.

I'd rather be on holiday in Jersey any week of the year than at home.

You’ll find plenty to do here but, to be honest, the big English cities are likely to be more Christmassy (we’re going over to London). I think there are lots of Santa trains across the U.K. which may be less hassle than a plane and just as fun for the kids.

Thank you

I just want to go somewhere different :( that's the thing. Is there enough indoor stuff to do for small people?

The spa hotels look amazing. If only I could ditch the smalls and come with DH.... sigh.

If you fly with Easyjet you can ask for first flight passport for the children and if you are lucky they might let them go in the cockpit. (They did for us when aeroplane obsessed dd2 did her first flight)
Merton Hotel is fab although I would imagine no kids club/disco in Dec. I would recommend hiring a car.

No Merton at all in December, unless I’m wrong. It closes for the winter.

How long are you thinking of coming for? From me you’re getting the response of a jaded parent facing yet another long winter with a handful of activities we’ve done before. But you would probably have a better time on a short trip.

Not sure if Les Ormes does normal self-catering over the winter but that has a pool and Jump Jersey which has an under-5s area. You may be able to get better access if you’re staying there.

If you do enjoy outdoor stuff, you could definitely have fun rock pooling and wandering round beaches if it isn’t rainy. It’s a new place to come!

I fancy going to Jersey sometime soon now! Maybe not December but it sounds a good trip!

If the main reason is to get on a plane and go somewhere different, depending on where you live, Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle ( use to be able to fly from Bristol) Birmingham to name a few places. I would imagine a flight to Jersey could be expensive enough. I don’t want to dis Jersey at all, I went 25 years ago as a teen and to this day I want to go back to explore the underground hospital as an adult. In December with very young children, I think it’s not the right destination.

@Constantcrayfish thank you for your really considered reply.
Keen to get away but looks like we would be very weather dependent....

@Constantcrayfish has it correct, not really a Christmas market and no parade this year I believe. The Merton is definitely shut in December but two pubs have indoor soft play areas. Be warned also that some airfares are hideously expensive eg return trip to Southampton can be about £350 and that ferries are unreliable and expensive with a car. It can be very foggy and extremely windy in December too!

My DC loved a beach , whatever the weather but personally I wouldn't bother with the annoyance of a plane journey and would find somewhere on the mainland that I could drive to with massive amounts of outdoor clothes stuffed in to the boot.