Spring-Summer Pure Jersey Part 1 with adverts:jersey Cover AW

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Car-Free Challenge We’re plunged into Jersey’s Arcadian woods and hidden valleys on a cross-island route back to St Helier, but I depart the blue route at The Living Legend – a major, multi-faceted attraction – to connect up with the yellow route eastwards. 1.45pm, The Living Legend Just a few minutes to wait before the bus arrives. I get talking to Helen Akitt from High Wycombe. She’s proof positive that you don’t need a car in Jersey. ‘I got a bus from the airport. There’s a lot to see in a small space but I’ve been very favourably impressed by public transport. There’s plenty of it.’ Helen is being more creative with the timetable than me, venturing off the four coloured routes by using those truly offthe-beaten-track local bus services that plumb into the major network, taking her to AL FRESCO DINING AT GOREY DURRELL WILDLIFE locations where she can pick up stretches of Jersey’s spectacular coastal footpath. And she’s not alone. Her experiences are echoed by a group from Leicester staying near St Helier. ‘It’s been a life-saver for us. We’re keen walkers and have used the service every day. The drivers are so polite and helpful and it all links up very well, including the attractions.’ It’s true. I’m also impressed by the way the various routes take in all the island’s big attractions – and some smaller places to visit too. Next stop, for example, is La Mare Vineyards followed by Jersey Gold then – the doyen of them all – Durrell Wildlife. We arrive here at 2.20pm, the end of the line for the yellow route. I’ve visited this world-class conservation project a few times before but everyone else on the bus makes a bee-line for the gorillas, orang-utans and other endangered species who live here in realistic, non-zoo like settings. 2.35pm, Durrell Wildlife Time to go green and link into the green route that loops around the east coast of the island. The bus is packed with visitors returning from Durrell – and, like Durrell’s inhabitants, we’re a truly cosmopolitan bunch. There’s a mix of British, Dutch, Japanese, French and Americans, young and old, all gabbing away happily as the bus stops at La Hougue Bie. Again, I’ve been lucky enough to visit this remarkable prehistoric site before. Forget Stonehenge, nowadays sadly cloistered away from the public. At La Hougue Bie you can still touch and explore, having a close encounter with the ancient stones that went into the construction of this passage grave buried at the base of a steep mound. Great Jersey Deals From Channel Islands Travel Service Book with the experts. We have over 25 years experience in arranging holidays to Jersey. We are the one-stop shop for all kinds of holidays and breaks in Jersey. We pride ourselves not just in our local knowledge but also our total flexibility. We can book your travel by air or sea plus accommodation as a package, or just flights or accommodation only. Plus we offer excellent value car hire and holiday insurance. ‘It’s been a life-saver for us. We’re keen walkers and have used the service every day. The drivers are so polite and helpful and it all links up very well, including the attractions.’ I was tempted to get off the bus for another dose of magic and mystery, but had a date with Gorey. Gorey Pier and St Aubin are brother and sister, two picturesque little ports at opposite ends of the island. I still can’t make my mind up which one I like most, though Gorey does have an ace up its sleeve in the presence of Mont Orgueil Castle rearing its mighty head above the harbour. It has to be the most photographed place in Jersey. You’ve probably seen the pictures. Whether you want a luxury spa weekend, an activity break, a walking or cycling holiday or just want to relax, we can help. And our 2008 brochure is packed with great deals: • Special offers on car hire • Free night offers • Free evening meals Early booking is recommended if you want to take advantage of these great booking offers and the best possible travel prices. But my rendezvous was not – this time – with the castle. Gorey was throwing a party to celebrate its annual regatta day. The restaurant-lined quayside was serving even more food than usual, thanks to the addition of stalls selling everything from local oysters to jams and preserves, gambas to glasses of champagne. 4.15pm, Gorey Pier I’m taking a leaf out of Helen Akitt’s book. Instead of returning to St Helier on the direct green route I’ve caught the ‘off-network’ local service that runs every half-hour back to the capital. Why? Because this route follows the coast all the way, giving commanding views of Jersey’s strange south-eastern shores (top tip: grab a window seat on the left-hand side of the bus). When the tide is out you can see miles of rock and reef. But Jersey’s massive tidal range – one of the highest in the world – means that twice a day this eerie expanse is submerged beneath the waves. I’ve timed it just right: the tide is out. Tel 01534 496666 (open 7 days a week) Or go to www.jerseytravel.com/sg 4.40pm, St Helier Back at base. I’ve always been sceptical about public transport. Truth be told, I’m a bit of a petrolhead at heart – like, I suspect, lots of you out there. I’ve always justified this love affair in terms of the lack of realistic alternatives. But when public transport does work I’ll admit that my relationship is on shakier ground. The Island Explorer was an eye-opener for me. It demonstrated what can be achieved when joined-up thinking leads to joined-up services. My particular trip was one of countless variations on a theme. So here’s some honest advice from a dedicated car man. Leave the keys at home, pick up a timetable, create your own tour of the island, and buy an Island Explorer. You’ll pay just £6 for the day ticket. That’s a bargain. No, make that a double bargain. Jersey’s unfathomable car parking rules will, along with the scenery, pass you by. 44 pureJersey 1 book online at www.jersey.com 45
Jerseyfile: Island Exploration WINE TASTING AT LA MARE ESTATE Getting around by Bus It’s simplicity itself to explore Jersey without a car. The island is small and well served with a network of bus routes that take you almost everywhere – to the big beaches in the south and west and the remoter north coast, as well as to most of the attractions and places to visit. The bus routes radiate from Liberation Station, Jubilee Wharf, St Helier’s brandnew bus station. Explorer tickets are available for one, three and five days, and most of the new fleet have easy access for wheelchair users. Island Explorer consists of four routes – red, blue, green and yellow – which run seven days a week from April to November inclusive. These are fully integrated with the scheduled Mybus network, allowing travel on both services using the same passes. Because of the full integration with the main network, Island Explorer buses serve all the stops along the various routes. 46 pureJersey Connex Buses Connex buses are the main carrier in Jersey. For further information, please contact: Connex Transport Jersey Ltd Tel 01534 877772 www.mybus.je Coach Tours Island tours of Jersey are available for a morning, afternoon, evening or whole day. Full-day tours give an opportunity to get a real feel for the island. These leisurely, informative tours, starting in St Helier, include most of the island’s bays with refreshment and photo stops as well as lunch stops. The tours include visits to many local attractions, farms and gardens. A courtesy service operates from most hotels and pick-up points to connect with most tour departures from the main coach station. FUN AND GAMES AT THE AMAIZIN! MAZE Liberation Station The passenger hall at this all-new bus station provides an indoor area where you can wait until your bus is ready for boarding. It is equipped with seating, airport-style information display screens, a café and information desk. In the evenings, any services departing after 6.40pm will operate from the four pavement bays outside the station, where there is a covered waiting area for passengers. For more information, please contact: Tantivy Blue Coach Tours Tel 01534 706706 www.jerseycoaches.com Waverley Coaches Tel 01534 758360 Minibusdirect Tel 07797 758504 www.jerseyminibus.com PAINTING AT GLAZE CRAZE, JERSEY POTTERY Great Days Out Another Jersey plus-point is the range and extent of its attractions and places to visit. The island’s internationally famous wildlife sanctuary is just the start of it all. Others include potteries and family parks, countryside centres and sports centres, castles and museums. aMaizin! Maze and Adventure Park, St Peter This award-winning attraction launches annually with aMaizin! Adventure Park, followed by aMaizin! Maze constructed entirely of the cereal crop maize, where puzzles and clues provide great family fun (maze only available during summer months). The popular aMaizin! Adventure Park offers many additional activities in a natural and safe environment. All activities and entertainment are included in the entrance fee. Maze and Adventure Park open April–September, Craft Centre open all year. Tel 01534 482116 www.jerseyleisure.com Discovery Pier, Gorey Pier A place that brings Jersey’s fabulously rich marine ecology on shore for visitors to see for themselves. Wildlife of wrecks on DVD, interactive fun for youngsters, a working rock pool, record-breaking fish and how the tides work are just some of its fascinating features. Open daily until end of October. Tel 01534 617704 www.gov.je/PlanningEnvironment/ Environment/ Durrell Wildlife, Trinity The international headquarters of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, set amongst a peaceful 32 acres/13ha in the north-east of the island. It’s home to a world-famous animal sanctuary where you can see exotic and endangered species from across the globe. Open all year. Tel 01534 860000 www.durrellwildlife.org Elizabeth Castle, St Helier Please see ‘History and Heritage’ Jerseyfile for details. Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Trinity Home to one of the world’s finest collections of orchids. There’s a scented, exotic recreation of orchid habitats and landscapes, along with climate-controlled nurseries in which many different species are grown. Open Wednesday–Saturday all year. Tel 01534 861963 www.ericyoungorchidfoundation.com Hamptonne Country Life Museum, St Lawrence Please see ‘History and Heritage’ Jerseyfile for details. La Hougue Bie, St Saviour Please see ‘History and Heritage’ Jerseyfile for details. Jersey Goldsmiths and Lion Park, St Lawrence Please see ‘The Art of Life – Shopping’ Jerseyfile for details. Jersey Museum, St Helier Please see ‘History and Heritage’ Jerseyfile for details. Jersey Pottery, Gorey A famous pottery and island attraction where you can see all stages of production from throwing to hand decoration by skilled artists. Personalise your own pottery at the ‘Glaze Craze’, popular with adults and children alike. Open all year. Tel 01534 850850 www.jerseypottery.com Jersey War Tunnels, St Lawrence Please see ‘History and Heritage’ Jerseyfile for details. The Living Legend, St Peter Large adventure and leisure village – a very popular island attraction. Award-winning multi-media recreation of Jersey through the ages, two challenging 18-hole golf courses, go-karting track, craft and shopping village, outdoor play area plus a full programme of live entertainment. Open March–November. Tel 01534 485496 www.jerseyslivinglegend.co.je More Places to Visit overleaf R 1 book online at www.jersey.com 47
Page 1 and 2: For further information visit www.j
Page 3 and 4: Island Snapshots Here’s an overvi
Page 5 and 6: J’Aime Jersey 06 pureJersey Jenni
Page 7 and 8: Jerseyfile: The Art of Life - Good
Page 9 and 10: Walking on the Moon In the late 18t
Page 11 and 12: Jerseyfile: Walking St Peter’s Co
Page 13 and 14: Life and Liberty Jersey’s experie
Page 15 and 16: 250,000 BC Jerseyfile: History and
Page 17 and 18: Festival Island 2008 Throughout the
Page 19 and 20: All at Sea WATCHING THE WILDLIFE LA
Page 21 and 22: Jerseyfile: Activity Island Surfing
Page 23: The Car-Free Challenge GRÈVE DE LE
Page 27 and 28: Living the Life What’s it like to
Page 29 and 30: so Accommodating MARY ANNE AT HOME
Page 31 and 32: The Panorama La Rue du Croquet, St.
Page 33 and 34: General Information For more specif

Spring-Summer Pure Jersey Part 1 with adverts:jersey Cover AW

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?