Jersey - The Jewel of the Channel Islands - 6 Days - Small Group Tours

6 Days - Small Group Tours

With its rolling hills, coastal coves and poignant past, experience Jersey from all angles. From our base in charming St. Helier, experience this gem of the Channel Islands on a scenic drive of the east, a boat cruise along the west coast, plus visits to the picturesque Samares Manor, historic Jersey War Tunnels, imposing Elizabeth Castle and award-winning La Mare estate. A unique location, Jersey brings together a varied landscape of sleepy villages and lush green hills to golden bays and characterful marinas in such a small area. Even though Jersey is the biggest of the Channel Islands, it’s still only 5 miles long and 9 miles wide, and although part of the British Isles geographically, Jersey is not actually part of the UK. The island is an independently governed Crown Dependency, with its own bank notes and coins. This distinct character shines through on our tour, where we learn how the history, politics, terrain, and location shaped the Jersey we see today. From its wartime history and heartfelt stories, to exotic plants that grow in its soil, along with some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal views of the British Isles, Jersey truly makes for an insightful and inspiring visit.

Highlights

Discover the west side of Jersey, plus a visit to Elizabeth Castle
Explore Samares Manor with a guided tour of the house, Herb Garden & Museum with time to explore the celebrated Botanic gardens
Take a boat trip to explore the western coast by sea and spot the wildlife
Understand the poignant WW2 history on a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels
Visit the renowned La Mare Estate with a tour and tasting
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea

Inclusions

The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Discover the west side of Jersey, plus a visit to Elizabeth Castle
Explore Samares Manor with a guided tour of the house, Herb Garden & Museum with time to explore the celebrated Botanic gardens
Take a boat trip to explore the eastern coast by sea and spot the wildlife
Understand the poignant WW2 history on a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels
Visit the renowned La Mare Estate with a tour and tasting
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea
Plus, of course...
Five nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners
The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

1

Make your way to your four-star hotel in St. Helier, the Pomme d'Or, perfectly located in the centre, overlooking Liberation Square and the marina. Hand-picked by us with a combination of location, facilities and service in mind, the hotel is just 20 minutes from the airport, for your convenience. After checking in this afternoon to your historic hotel with all the modern amenities, there’s plenty of time to relax or explore as you wish. You can also use the sister hotel’s facilities, so why not unwind this evening with a dip in the pool or relax in the steam room? Or you could start exploring this superb area with a stroll along the marina, nearby Waterfront Gardens or the many shops, cafes and restaurants along the Esplanade.

2

After the first of our delicious daily breakfasts at the hotel, we uncover authentic Jersey on a tour of the west side. A scenic drive takes us first to Noirmont Point, where the old German bunkers and vantage points offer breathtaking views, before heading to the golden sands of St. Bredlade’s Bay, often hailed as one of the best beaches in the British Isles. This wouldn’t be a trip to Jersey without a visit to the famous Corbiere lighthouse and Elizabeth Castle, and so these are included on this fascinating tour, taking the ferry to the castle. Named after Queen Elizabeth I, the stronghold is simply a must-see, with a long and intriguing history and unrivalled vistas, as well as tunnels, bunkers and turrets to explore. This evening we return to the hotel to enjoy the first of two included dinners.

3

Today we visit beautiful Samares Manor and botanical gardens. A knowledgeable local guide will bring history to life as we uncover the Medieval origins of the manor and its place today, home to Seigneur de Samares for centuries. Amongst our vibrant surroundings, we will also delve deeper into its colourful past with a guided tour of the manor house before a wander to the herb garden. The herb gardens are full of medicinal plants, roses and lavender, with a viewing platform to fully appreciate the elegant and calming surroundings. After the tour, there is time to explore the renowned botanical gardens, unique because the land is exceptionally fertile with exotic plants that wouldn’t normally grow in the British Isles’ climate. Designed in the roaring 1920s, you’ll spy heritage blooms dancing amongst the rows of plants, as well as a bee garden and fragrant herbs, a relaxing end to the afternoon.

4

Most people know that Jersey was occupied by the Germans during WW2. At first with a relatively moderate approach, but as the war continued, conditions for locals got harder and harder, with forced labour and mass deportations and during the winter of 1944-1945, and near starvation for most of the population. It was a poignant time in Jersey’s history and a period we feel is important to understand. We visit the Jersey war tunnels, dug by enforced labour under harsh conditions, which tell the story of life during the German occupation: the heartache, resistance, hardship, heroism and eventual liberation. After a moving morning, this afternoon we continue to learn more about what makes Jersey so special as we see the island from a different angle. Hopping onto our boat cruise at Albert Quay, we journey along the western coastline with commentary from a local expert. As we witness incredible views from our boat, the Jersey Duchess, our minds are cast back to what it would have been like to see beautiful Jersey for the first time in this way, long before air travel. Jersey is particularly famous for its marine life too – so if you are lucky you might spot bottlenose dolphins, seals or even basking sharks.

5

Today, we will enjoy a visit to La Mare wine estate, distillery, and cider farm. The estate is celebrated for the quality of its produce, including the renowned Black Butter preserve, used by many esteemed chefs, as well as its wines, cider, and liqueurs. We will explore the estate with a guided tour and tasting as we learn about the ethos behind La Mare and how the estate makes things a little differently on this small island. After our tours which includes a not to be missed visit to the chocolate kitchen, we will settle down for afternoon tea – no doubt featuring famed Jersey milk and cream. After a deliciously delightful afternoon, we will have time for a stroll in the gardens and vineyards before heading back.