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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Has anyone been to Jersey?

55 replies

greenqueen22 · 28/03/2023 22:16

If so what's it like? We all need passports renewing this year and there looks to be delays at the passport office this summer. Coupled with having a one year old I'm not sure I can be bothered with the faff of going abroad.

Dh suggested jersey because it feels like going abroad without actually needing a passport. And its only 1 hour on a plane from an airport local to us.

But what's it like? It doesn't look like there's much there. Along with the baby we have a primary age dc who would need entertaining. Is the weather good in summer? Any experience very much appreciated!

OP posts:
Redbone · 28/03/2023 22:26

Jersey is a good place for kids and the weather is usually slightly better than the UK. Hotels are few and far between and very expensive though. Very limited self catering accommodation and what there is gets booked up quickly.
Several lovely beaches, zoo and castles to visit too.

Redbone · 28/03/2023 22:27

I should add that you need photo id to get here too.

Tinytigertail · 28/03/2023 22:28

I had a great long weekend there and loved it. Some nice beaches, good food and some interesting bits to see. Not sure I'd need more than 3 or 4 days there though.

DeadButDelicious · 28/03/2023 22:28

The weather is lovely in summer! I've really enjoyed it both times I've been, there's lots to do, Jersey Zoo, the war tunnels, mont orgueil castle, la hougue bie. There are loads of lovely beaches, st Helier is nice for shopping, there are lots of little things to visit like jersey pearl, the devils hole, the glass church. There's a cinema on the front as well if all else fails.

Redbone · 28/03/2023 22:33

If you are going to eat out anywhere you need to book a couple of days in advance. Most tourists don’t realize this.

nocoolnamesleft · 28/03/2023 23:09

Amazing beaches, great food, Gerald Durrell wildlife centre, underground hospital...

Ladybird69 · 28/03/2023 23:22

I didn’t know that we don’t need passports to go to jersey, is this new as I’m sure we needed them when we went in 1995. They also have various festivals going on throughout the year so check what’s happening when.
Another beautiful place to go though you might need passports is Brittany I would love to live there.

peacepop465 · 28/03/2023 23:31

We spent a lot of time on the beach, visited castles, went dolphin watching and ate an incredible amount of Jersey ice cream and black butter. Honestly my highlight was the black butter, my suitcase was stuffed with jars on the way home.

nocoolnamesleft · 29/03/2023 00:30

peacepop465 · 28/03/2023 23:31

We spent a lot of time on the beach, visited castles, went dolphin watching and ate an incredible amount of Jersey ice cream and black butter. Honestly my highlight was the black butter, my suitcase was stuffed with jars on the way home.

I'd forgotten about black butter. Amazing stuff. Not had it in years. Hmmm, surely these days one can buy it online...

caringcarer · 29/03/2023 00:40

You do need a passport to go to Jersey.

caringcarer · 29/03/2023 00:47

I've always had to show my passport. My sister lives there. Definitely go to Plemont beach. Jewelry work shop do stunning silver pieces. Jersey Pearl. If you go in August you can see Battle of Flowers. Lots of floats made of flowers like a carnival. Fort Regent is good if it rains lots for whole family including indoor swimming. Zoo if fine. Beaches everywhere. Golf course at St. Brelads. Nice restaurants, some with sea view. Elizabeth and Gorey castle. Don't get caught put with fast rising tides.

mellicauli · 29/03/2023 01:19

I just got a a marketing email from Jersey Tourist Marketing Board - Your Passport-free Paradise Awaits. Then it goes on to say you don't need a passport is you are a UK visitor.

There is loads for kids to do. In addition to all things mentioned above: kayaking, surfing, beaches with caves, amazin' maze, high ropes, 2 mini golf places, a load of museums, swimming pool (with slides), cinema, go karting, dinosaur park (Tamba park), mini train across St Helier, lots of bike rides, Devil's Hole (nice short walk), Lighthouse walk (longer one). There's also a bird of prey centre.
You can take a day trip to Guernsey or Herm. The restaurants are good and plentiful (not that cheap, of course). The restaurants are good and plentiful (not that cheap, of course)

Iwantcollarbones · 29/03/2023 01:20

You don’t need a passport. Any photo ID will
do. I’ve travelled over many times with just my driving licence. Under 16’s don’t need any. It’s classed as domestic travel from the UK.

Jersey is beautiful in the summer. The beaches are wonderful and no where near as packed as UK/foreign beaches. The kids will love the Amazin Maze, the Zoo and creepy valley. If you go at the right time Gorey fete is great as is the battle of the flowers. PP was right about booking for meals
out. Devils hole is great (albeit hard work) and the priory inn is at the top where you can eat but it also has a soft play like area
for the kids to run about in. Lots of water sports available in St Ouens or St Brelade.

mellicauli · 29/03/2023 01:21

oh..Tamba park is closed. apparently..

RobertsRadio · 29/03/2023 01:30

You can also island hop and visit Guernsey, Sark and Herm. Jersey is a lovely place to holiday for kids and adults, with great beaches.

Herbiebanannas · 29/03/2023 05:00

caringcarer · 29/03/2023 00:40

You do need a passport to go to Jersey.

No. You don’t if you are travelling from the UK

Original poster
greenqueen22 · 29/03/2023 07:22

Thank you guys this is really helpful. Glad to see you don't need a passport. For me that removes a lot of the fuss but it still feels like you're abroad I guess.

I read that jersey is only 5 miles long! Is that correct? Sounds like there's a lot there for a 5 mile island!!

OP posts:
ArcticSkewer · 29/03/2023 07:25

caringcarer · 29/03/2023 00:40

You do need a passport to go to Jersey.

no you don't, not if you are UK based

ClaraThePigeon · 29/03/2023 07:30

If you are going to eat out anywhere you need to book a couple of days in advance. Most tourists don’t realize this.

Is this for the most popular restaurants? I was there 6 years ago and I had no trouble finding places to eat in last minute but I don't think we went to the most well known restaurants.

ClaraThePigeon · 29/03/2023 07:33

And yes Jersey is great. I thought there was plenty to do.

Doubleraspberry · 29/03/2023 07:35

Jersey is 9 miles by 5. It has plenty for a two week holiday but is very much a small island if you’re there for longer!

With a small child the beaches really are fantastic. The water is beautifully clear and you can have sandy or pebbly beaches depending on your preference.

Some of these posts are quite out of date - Jersey’s tourist attractions have varied over the years. The Visit Jersey and Jersey Heritage websites are worth a look to see the current offering.

Jersey Zoo is wonderful and kids love it. It’s got an indoor and outdoor playground too.

Jersey Heritage Lets are great for staying but do get booked up fast in the summer holidays. The ones at Hamptonne give you private access to their playground once it’s shut for the day which is good. Otherwise a private self catering place is probably the best option. The hotels are expensive and there are some poor ones out there.

MargotDeWitt · 29/03/2023 07:43

Is the Merton Hotel still there, in St Helier? We stayed there almost 20 years ago, it was a fabulous place for a family holiday!

Doubleraspberry · 29/03/2023 07:45

The Merton is still there and is pretty much exactly as you experienced it 20 years ago, and quite expensive.

TodayInahurry · 29/03/2023 07:53

Jersey is 9 x 5. It is now very expensive. The traffic is terrible, many of the attractions quoted have been closed and many shops in St Helier. The sea is very cold most of the time. A week is enough. I used to live there