Channel Islands | agmtraveller.com

Jersey Island Adventures at the Heart of the English Channel

Where: Jersey, Channel Islands. British Isles. Europe.
When: February 2014
What: Mont Orgueil Castle, Elizabeth Castle, Corbière Lighthouse, Liberation Statue, Archirondel Red Tower, World’s Largest Steam Clock, Jersey Parliament in Session, Central Market.
How: International flight, walking, taxi, bus.
Country counter: Not applicable (United Kingdom Crown Dependency).
Illnesses or mishaps: Wishing I'd set aside more time, thus allowing for a greater exploration of the Channel Islands region, including the Guernsey and Sark islands.

After Burma in Southeast Asia and Qatar in the Middle East I end up in...Jersey in the Channel Islands. You can't say my destinations aren't varied! The Channel Islands is comprised of eight inhabited islands around 15 kilometres off of the French coast. Seven of these islands are under the governance of Guernsey, the second largest island in the Channel Islands region. Jersey governs itself and is the largest and most populous island in the English Channel. As with many Lilliputian islands, their size and awkward geographical location between different countries makes for complex, convoluted arrangements. Perplexingly, both groups of islands, known as "Bailiwicks", are UK Crown Dependencies but are not part of the United Kingdom . Jersey falls under the Duchy of Normandy's jurisdiction but has the British Queen as its head of state. Confused? Try travelling here. The weird melange of accents is testimony to the complex history of these islands, a history which has been punctuated by invasions and occupations.

Most recently the islands were occupied by the Germans in World War II - the only part of the British Commonwealth to have been occupied by the Nazi army during the conflict. Indeed, signs of Nazi occupation scar the island. The concrete Corbière observation tower on the south western coastline of Jersey squats menacingly a few hundred metres from the delightful and iconic Corbière Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a familiar symbol of the island, featuring on the States of Jersey's 20p coin and £5 note. The cold, blustery February weather added a sense of isolation to the place during our visit which, in the past, has played host to clandestine smuggling and dramatic shipwrecks. The ugly grey monolith is like a coarser, brutalist counterpart to the elegant white beacon. Nowadays it has an alternative, and far less threatening, function in everyday island life - it's a one room hotel which you can book through the Jersey tourist board. Another tell-tale sign of Jersey's turbulent history is reflected in the ubiquitous presence of the word "liberation". Indeed, even the island's bus company is called "Liberty Bus", with the main bus station located just off the significantly-named "Liberation Square".

Being so close to the French coast, Jersey has an unsurprisingly French complexion. Place names are more often than not written in Français with even English names being preceded with the almost obligatory "Le" as if adding it to the start of any word suddenly makes it French. Sounds of French speakers inter-weave endlessly with English ones (with a very strange accent which, to my ignorant ear, sounded almost South African). Jersey is a perfect Parisian patisserie... but don't get carried away too soon. This French patisserie comes with a huge dollop of full English breakfast as a compulsory side order: Marks and Spencer, fish and chips, red post boxes and BBC One. The island's currency is also familiar - but with a distinctly Jersey twist. Most noteworthy, literally and metaphorically, is the States of Jersey's green £1 note (featuring Queen Elizabeth II herself). I took the trouble of buying one from our taxi driver, swapping a Pound coin for a Pound note just so I could own one of these currency curiosities. I needn't have bothered - we ended up with a whole stash of them by the end of the trip which I couldn't get rid of quick enough.

We based ourselves in St. Helier - to all intents and purposes Jersey's 'capital' being, as it is, the closest thing the island has to a town. Its waterfront comprises of rather bland modern (and therefore locally controversial) developments catering for Jersey's suit-wielding rich-listers and marinas full of yachts of all shapes and sizes. A surreal sight on the North Quay part of St. Helier is Ariadne, the world's largest steam-powered clock modelled on an old paddle boat. Seeing it reminded me of the Laxey Wheel on the Isle of Man mixing, as it does, an unusual spectacle with a esoteric world record (Laxey is the world's largest working waterwheel). Whilst the steam clock can almost be classed as an aberration, the huge Orgueil Castle at Gorey harbour on the eastern edge of the island is the undisputed landmark of Jersey. Hopping aboard the Liberty Bus to Gorey Pier we stopped for coffee and took in picture postcard views of harbour houses, pleasure boats and cafés - all eclipsed by the castle's soaring bulky mass and a sky which was constantly threatening to turn blue (and by lunchtime it had done just that). A ten minute bus journey further up the east coast took us to the Archirondel Tower, a curious gun tower with its seaward face painted with war-like red and white stripes. Stood on its own, Archirondel looks as desolate as it does dramatic. Asking local café or bar owners for bus and taxi advice often concludes with the inevitable "good luck". Not exactly reassuring but testimony to the fact that buses only run every couple of hours on some routes and taxi companies often refuse to come and get you if it's too far away . You could be left stranded for hours along the coast with only the soles of your feet as your mode of transport. Add to this the cold February winds and you can see that a trip out to see something on the buses could quickly turn into a nasty experience. Safely back in St. Helier, and after a quick security frisk by the guard, we found ourselves sat in the public gallery of the States Chamber of the Jersey Parliament watching a debate on a new fishing bill. It was certainly different seeing a Lilliputian parliament in full session.

Islanders on a number of occasions gave us a cool reception, but then quickly warmed to us. I did feel that outside of peak season, Jersey is a local island meant for local people. It's a curious place full of unusual oddities and a rugged, dramatic coastline. I am always keen to espouse the notion that every place has its visit value and has something to offer if you are willing to look hard enough. It is worth a visit, but I would have liked to have combined my trip to Jersey with some island hopping to other islands in the Channel including Guernsey and Sark. Perhaps next time.

The huge Orgueil Castle at Gorey harbour on the eastern edge of the island.

The huge Orgueil Castle - the undisputed symbol of Jersey.

A triangular rendering of the States of Jersey flag flaps above Orgueil Castle's battlements at Gorey Harbour.

The unusual Archirondel Tower looks out to sea with its red and white war paint.

A surreal sight on the North Quay part of St. Helier is 'Ariadne', the world's largest steam-powered clock modelled on an old paddle boat.

The lonely Corbière Lighthouse at sunset. It is located on the most westerly point of Jersey.

travel tips, links & resources

• Take a few taxi telephone numbers with you. Often local buses can let you down and leave you stranded. Buses only run every couple of hours on some routes and taxi companies often refuse to come and get you if it's out of the way. You could be left stranded for hours along the coast with only the soles of your feet as your mode of transport. 
• Make sure you visit inside the States of Jersey parliamentary chamber - it's free and you get a great sense of the island's politics at work.
• The Channel Islands, because of their geographical location, are windy places. In Winter the wind is biting. Take windproof clothing if you're planning on spending a significant proportion of time outdoors.
• Jersey is best visited in season (March-October) but, unfortunately, this is when prices sky-rocket. Visiting in February is a cold and unpredictable ordeal which has the potential to limit what you can do - including the many sporting options the island offers (not to mention that outside off peak season many attractions are closed).
• Photographic ID often suffices for entry onto Jersey if you are travelling from the United Kingdom. I always play it safe and take the full passport.
• Jersey is not part of the United Kingdom and so there is no National Health Service (NHS) here. However, emergency treatment is often administered free of charge to UK citizens. Additional treatments will require transfer to the UK mainland and so make sure you have travel insurance before heading to Jersey. If you're worried, check your rights before departing.
• Tides are known to come in fast and almost without warning. Keep a close eye on tides - especially if you are travelling to an attraction on foot such as the Corbière Lighthouse.

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