Jersey Holidays – Sightseeing
La Hougue Bie, Grouville
A major branch of Jersey Museum – several museums in one – pleasantly situated in separate buildings among fields and trees. Railway, Archaeology and Geology, Agricultural, and German Occupation Museums. La Hougue Bie itself is an impressive Neolithic tomb with passage roofed with cap stones leading to a central burial chamber. On top of the burial mound are two charming medieval chapels.
Jersey Wildlife preservation Trust (Jersey Zoo), Les Augres, Manor, Trinity
Founded by Gerald Durrell, this zoo in 20 acres of park-land has over 1000 of the world’s rarest animals. Controlled breeding programs increase their numbers. Cages are spacious and contain fresh vegetation. You will see from the number of red Dodo plaques, made by Jersey Pottery, that almost every group of animals represents an endangered species.
La Mare Vineyard, St Mary
Owned by the Blayney family who have been involved in wine-making for 150 years. Cool and welcoming, away from the crowds. Useful tips on how to improve home wine-making. Picnic near old granite farmhouse, children’s playground, plus traditional Jersey cider, Clos de La Mare wine and wine mustard for sale.
Battle of Flowers Museum, St Ouen
Everything here is the work of Miss Florence Bechelet, who has won major awards in Jersey’s annual Battle of Flowers 34 years out of 36. Huge lifelike animals made entirely from dried grass gathered by Miss Bechelet herself – each Clydesdale horse contains 84 000.
St Matthew’s Church, St Aubin’s Rd
Also known as the ‘Glass Church’ because of the simple and beautiful opaque interior work by the French designer Rene Lalique, whose perfume bottles were all the rage in Paris in the 1920s. There is a glass font, a flass communion table and a 15th feet high glass cross. Even the windows in the church are by Lalique. Close inspection reveals marvelous detail, and the four elongated angels in the Lady Chapel are breathtaking. The work was commissioned by Lady
Trent in memory of her husband, originally Jesse Boot, the chemist.
German Military Underground Hospital, St Lawrence
Light and sound effects tell the chilling story.
Potter’s Wheel, I’Etacq, St Ouen
In a pleasant cottage with pots drying in the sun, Eddie Sandham makes and sells decorative vases with cut-out designs, also moule bowls in which to cook mussels – use the deep curved lid for discarded shells.