Jersey Holidays – St Helier Town

Jersey’s principal town, busy, hustling, and bustling, St Helier is a temple to low-duty shopping, while The Esplanade which is the harbor, caters for easy holiday. St Helier is crammed with car-hire firms and island tour companies. Given Jersey’s tax-haven status, not surprising that the most attractive buildings are usually banks, embellished with neat white fences or clock towers.

Royal Square
A tree-lined courtyard bordered by dignified buildings. Clustered around a gilded statue of George II are the island’s main administrative offices, including the Royal Court House.

Jersey Museum
9 Pier Rd: a Georgian merchant’s house with four floors of exhibits on Jersey’s social and political history, including one on actress Lillie Langtry – known as the Jersey Lily – with a silver-inlaid travelling case thought to have been given to her by King Edward VII. It also houses the separate Barreau Art Gallery showing works by artists with local connections like Millais.

Elizabeth Castle
Located on L’Islet, a rock outside the harbour: Sir Walter Raleigh, who was Governor of Jersey from 1600-03, named the castle after Queen Elizabeth I. During the Occupation, the Germans refortified it. It now contains an exhibition of German weaponry and equipment inside, as well as the Jersey Militia Museum. Picnicking is permitted in the grounds, a ferry runs from the West Park slipway during high season.

Shopping
Set aside at least a day for shopping; it’s St Helier’s main holiday activity. Most shops accept any currency. King St and Queen St are traffic-free and crammed with the latest in fashion and consumer goods. Best for local books are Hilgrove Books, Hilgrove St and Thesaurus in Sand St. Jersey Wool Shop at 2 Charing Cross has balls of strong wool for knit-it-yourself Jerseys.
For food, visit Central Market at Halkett Place and Market St. It opened in 1882 with 37 wrought-iron beams supporting the roof and over 80 tons of glass in its skylights. Little has changed since. A lovely four-tier fountain is centerpiece of stalls laden with home produce, wine, pates and French pastries – everything for a picnic. Flowers too. Its red gates are decorated with enameled cows, grapes and chickens. At nearby Beresford Market fresh fish and seafood are sold. Usually, during summer, many shops stay open daily for after-dinner sprees.