Oh hey! Yes I’m back again with another little holiday guide and this time instead of Toronto, I’m sticking to this side of the Atlantic with a jaunt in Jersey. Less than an hours flight from John Lennon Airport, this long weekend was the ideal getaway. Travelling by plane always gives me that real holiday vibe and allows me to fully dissociate from work and general duties back home.
I am a big believer in regular mini-trips to recharge your batteries and spend time with loved ones just enjoying life. However, I understand that we don’t all have the cash to regularly splash and that’s why I’m always on the hunt for places that don’t cost the earth and Jersey is certainly one of them. In total, including hotel, plane tickets, food, travel and sightseeing, two full days cost under £200 each for two people. It’s a Holiday-lite – less coins but still full flavour!
Where to Stay…
Now my boyfriend does seem to have a talent for finding great hotels that aren’t expensive, in fact I think it’s his party trick, so I can’t take credit for this pick. During our weekend away, we stayed at the Hotel Sandranne right in the heart of St Helier, the largest parish in Jersey. It’s a ten minute walk from everywhere really, including the bay, main town centre and bus station.
You will get a slight sense of going back in time to the 70s at Hotel Sandranne but it’s a fabulous hotel. The rooms are clean, the beds are super comfortable and you also get a kettle, teapot and hot drinks which I love and is much more than what you get at some expensive London hotels!
The owners are lovely and all the staff are so friendly, it’s a great atmosphere for a relaxing trip. We opted for the included breakfast on both days as part of our stay and it is well worth it. I’m talking full English as well as plenty of continental breakfast options including cereal, porridge, meats and cheese, pastries and fresh fruit. It was an ideal selection to properly fill yourself up for the day’s activities.
What to See…
For such a small island, you certainly won’t fall short of things to see and do in Jersey.
When the tide goes out in St Helier, you can grab an icecream and munch it on the walk over the sea floor to Elizabeth Castle. Dated back to the late 1500s, here you can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding bay and coastline. Go inside the castle and explore all the hidden passageways and bunkers as well as watch live demonstrations including gunfire!
We spent a whole morning at the Jersey Museum & Art Gallery. Learn all about history of the island, the Jersey people and of course those famous cows and potatoes. There’s a great exhibition “Handmade Jersey” on at the moment, displaying incredible art and craft ranging from a knitted Battle of Jersey to a Cosplay costume made out of recycled materials. Finally, step inside the restored Victorian House at the museum and discover the drama of a Victorian family in crisis as they were forced to flee their home and leave all their belongings behind.
If beaches are your thing, head out to St Brelade Bay where the waters a crystal clear and the sand is perfect for building castles. Just behind the beach front is Churchill Memorial Park and if you’re ready to have the biggest bum workout of your life, you can head up the steps to one of our favourite finds – Jersey Lavender Farm.
Yes, you can take lots of beautiful photos to make all your friends and family jelly but at £5.90, it’s a lovely way to spend the day. Cockerels and chickens peck happily round the garden as you enter with doves sitting in the big white bird house, you could honestly be fooled into thinking you were in a Disney movie. Even at peak harvest time, it wasn’t rammed with tourists like a lot of farms, so you can stroll leisurely through the four lavender fields then onto the tranquil gardens and nature walk, home to a wide variety of plants, herbs and bamboos. You can also learn all about how lavender is grown and the essential oils extracted in the farm distillery.
Where to Eat…
If I don’t bang on about food for at least a couple of paragraphs, 1 – did I really go on holiday? and 2 – there is definitely something wrong with me, call ambulance or the police because I’ve been kidnapped and someone has taken over my blog.
Being by the seaside, you have to have fish and chips it’s the law. The most famous chippy in St Helier is Hector’s Fish and Chips. Here you can either grab your fish supper on-the-go to enjoy down by the bay or if you’re scared a seagull might come and whip it from your mouth (the Jersey seagulls are always eyeing up your scran), you can sit in the restaurant and go big like I did with all the sauces. Curry sauce and mushy peas is a must in my mind.
Treat yourself to a pasty from the world famous and award winning, The Cornish Bakery as well as (there’s no “or” here) an ice cream made with real Jersey milk both of which are situated in Liberation Square. Sip on the silkiest and slightly sweet iced coffee at the Wayside Cafe in St Brelade, where you can also stop for lunch and get a huge slice of homemade cake.
Back in St Helier, there’s plenty of independent coffee shops for you to get your caffeine hit. Stop off at Locke’s Stories or Bean Around the World for proper coffee made by trained baristas.
However, you can’t go to St Helier and not visit the indoor Markets. It’s like being a kid in a candy store. Chocolatiers and patisseries galore, you must dine on world famous Leonidas Belgium chocolates, Jersey fudge and cupcakes that look so pretty, you might be tempted not to eat them but you will!
Jersey is the perfect little getaway. Forget Bali and immerse yourself in this beautiful island and everything it has to offer. It’s quintessentially British and from the moment I stepped off the plane, it reminded me of my childhood playing in the sand and eating chips on the seafront, albeit with much better weather! If you need a little break away from the hustle and bustle of life that won’t break the bank? Jersey is for you. B x
Behind the scenes at Jersey Lavender Farm
city break city guide holiday jersey Secret Rendezvous travel
It looks like a really beautiful place
Never been to Jersey, it looks very nice!
I have never been to Jersey but your photos and info make it seem like a must place to visit
I’ve been to Guernsey as a young person but not Jersey. Thank you for reminding me about it these hidden beauties
Looks amazing! It was one place we considered last year as it’s such a short flight for my 3 children (one with autism). Maybe next year!
Totally amazing – so much beauty
Never been there but after reading your blog and looking at photos would really like to visit❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ah wow Jersey just looks beautiful! 😍 I have never been but from this post I am very tempted to book a flight! ✈
Your photos are just incredible! 😊 Thanks so much for sharing xo
Such beautiful weather and beaches well jealous! Hope you had a lovely time! X
This is somewhere I have always wanted to go and this has made me really want to go
Love this! Me and my bf plan on moving to leigh on sea to be closer to the beach:)
this is somewhere we always talk about going too
It looks beautiful, ive never thought of going but it looks lovely!
This looks amazing and your photos are incredible!! Xx
I’ve never been there. It sounds lovely.
Wow looks like a great place to visit.
This looks like a really beautiful place to visit!
Love Jersey but the last time we went was 18 years ago.
I’ve only ever been to Jersey for business, so never got to see much except the hotel and meeting rooms. It looks like a nice place for a weekend away.
Jersey looks like a stunning place, beautiful pictures
Beautiful pictures! I’ve never been to Jersey but this is inspiring me to make it my next destination!
Never been, it looks beautiful! Great photos 😊
I have always wanted to visit as its were my dad worked when he came over from Italy and before he came to the UK. It looks so pretty
I’ve always thought Jersey would be a nice place to visit but I’ve never been. I’ll have another look for next year.
I’ve never been to Jersey and now I’m wondering ‘why not’.?
It looks so beautiful and quaint!
Great post. 🙂
Wow what a beautiful place, it sounds like you had a great time! I’d love to visit Jersey, I’m not very good with flying but I know I’d be ok for this short flight!
Jersey looks ever so beautiful, I must visit at some time in my life! I have bookmarked for further travel – thank you!
I haven’t been to Jersey for years but you’ve made me want to go again!
Looks a wonderful place, a place both my husband and i would enjoy, it is on our list to visit, so hopefully in the near future we will get to see Jersey
One of the best reviews of Jersey I’ve ever seen. Haven’t visited for many years so looking forward to returning sometime soon.
jersey is so cool
Looks a wonderful and interesting place
What gorgeous photos! I’ve never been to Jersey, but it looks lovely.
Looks lovely, will have to go!
Some stunning images of a place I have always wanted to visit
I just fell off my chair reading it cost less than £200 per person. I don’t take mini breaks because I didn’t think I had the cash, but jersey looks lovely and might check it out next year.
I’ve never been to Jersey before, but it looks absolutely gorgeous there! I really do hope to go one day and take my little boy with me 🙂
It looks a wonderful place to visit
It looks absolutely gorgeous.
Jersey looks awesome! I want to go!
Wow never been or considered going to Jersey..until now!
Never visited Jersey (went to Guernsey in my teens) but it is on my bucket list adn your photos make it look amazing!
looks gorgeous hope to go one dayx
Jersey looks gorgeous. I would love to go and sample some of the local food x
Looks like a beautiful place to visit, some lovely pictures and scenery
This place looks beautiful and a lovely place for a holiday. Hopefully some day i will get to visit and see for myself.
Beautiful pictures it looks amazing
We have been planning to visit Jersey every year but always end up going further away. Next year I am definitely going to visit because I would love to visit this beautiful place that is just on our doorstep!
Jersey has never been somewhere I have ever considered visiting but from this blog it sounds lovely, pictures are beautiful!
omg added to the bucket list!!
I have always really wanted to go to the Channel Islands. They always look so pretty and I like how different they are