Jersey
It’s far enough away to feel you are abroad, yet close enough to y there for a minibreak – many regional airports o er direct ights, too. The weather’s often warmer, and it has splendid beaches and scenery, a fascinating history, great food and wonderful places to stay. Yes, Jersey is a splendid Channel Island – it’s no wonder Brits love it.
Most tourists include St Helier in their itinerary, but on a recent short break, we based ourselves on the west coast. Truth be told, every corner of this British Crown dependency, which lies o the coast of Normandy, is easy to get to, so it doesn’t matter too much where your hotel is, as the island is only 45 square miles. You will need to hire a car to get around, though.
Your main problem will be choosing what to see and do from a wealth of options. Pick up a Jersey Pass, which gives you free entrance to many attractions and special offers.
We visited the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and enjoyed a guided walk with expert guide Tom Bunting. Called ‘Living with the Enemy’, it’s a surprising look at how islanders coped during the Second World War when Jersey was under German occupation. It Enjoy a jolly jaunt to foodie heaven in Jersey – diet not included includes a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels, a must-do experience. We also spent some time at the wonderful St Matthew’s Church, St Lawrence, which has a beautiful glass font and windows created by Lalique.
We did a lot of shopping, and loved the craft shops and boutiques of St Aubin – pop into The Harbour Gallery for the Cameo Café, where you can take cake and admire (or buy, as I did) the beautiful table lamps. Be sure to visit Helene and the Elf for delightful knitted goods.
I have to admit, though, it was tempting not to leave our hotel. The Atlantic in St Brelade, close to the magni cent St Ouen’s Bay, is a 50-room hotel in a spectacular location, surrounded by lots of space, with few buildings to spoil the views to the sea. Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa pool, a mini-gym, saunas, a tennis court and spacious lounges. The rooms are extremely comfortable, with extras such as bathrobe, slippers and Molton Brown toiletries.
The Atlantic is also home to one of the island’s best eateries, the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant, under renowned chef Mark Jordan. We feasted on delicacies created using many local foods – well, could you resist pan-seared hand-dived Jersey scallops, glazed pork belly, a selection of seafish, crab-crushed Jersey Royals, bok choi and fish bubbles, followed by passion fruit soufflé? Sommelier Sergio dos Santos will help you choose the perfect wine for each course.
This restaurant also takes part in the annual Tennerfest, staged in the autumn when gourmands can choose from 190 fixed-price menus at restaurants all over the Channel Islands and eat extremely well for £10 – some cost a bit more, but it’s still great value for money.
The Atlantic doesn’t have a spa, but there’s a fantastic one not far away. The Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France on the outskirts of St Helier has an extensive range of Ayurvedic therapies. How about an Ayush Indian Head Massage – a healing relaxation massage of the shoulders and head, which harmonises the body’s natural balance? A great way to end your break in Jersey.
Getting there A two-night break at The Atlantic Hotel (closed in January) costs from £230 per person (based on two sharing), and includes full English breakfast, threecourse table d’hôte dinner served in the Michelinstarred Ocean Restaurant, and a group B hire car (not including petrol, insurance and Jersey hire car tax – to be settled direct with the hire car company). Also, from 7 February to 10 April, the hotel o ers three nights for the price of two (travel to Jersey not included).
01534-744101, www.theatlantichotel.com
For the Living with the Enemy Walk, call Tom Bunting on 01534-482822.
For more info on Jersey: www.jersey.com
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
LAKE HOUSE SimonEscapes’ latest private rental property is Grey Gables, an architectdesigned, ve-bedroom lakeside lodge on the edge of Lake Windermere. Prices start from £5,880 per week total (£588 per person). www.simonescapes.com
RUGBY WORLD CUP England Rugby Travel is the o§ cial travel agent for fans in Great Britain who want Rugby World Cup 2015 packages, from a coach and ticket deal, to multiple matches and hotel breaks. Preregister online for information when packages are launched early in 2014. www.englandrugbytravel.com
PARTY COURSE Ashburton Cookery School o ers a weekend dinnerparty course, from £315 per person, including two days’ tuition, course notes, recipes and meals. Accommodation on site from £59 single, £89 double with breakfast. www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk
R&C CELEBRATION Relais & Chateaux, the association of individually owned and managed hotels and restaurants, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The 2014 Relais & Chateaux Guide is available from 1 February and can be ordered online. www.relaischateaux.com
Most tourists include St Helier in their itinerary, but on a recent short break, we based ourselves on the west coast. Truth be told, every corner of this British Crown dependency, which lies o the coast of Normandy, is easy to get to, so it doesn’t matter too much where your hotel is, as the island is only 45 square miles. You will need to hire a car to get around, though.
Your main problem will be choosing what to see and do from a wealth of options. Pick up a Jersey Pass, which gives you free entrance to many attractions and special offers.
We visited the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and enjoyed a guided walk with expert guide Tom Bunting. Called ‘Living with the Enemy’, it’s a surprising look at how islanders coped during the Second World War when Jersey was under German occupation. It Enjoy a jolly jaunt to foodie heaven in Jersey – diet not included includes a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels, a must-do experience. We also spent some time at the wonderful St Matthew’s Church, St Lawrence, which has a beautiful glass font and windows created by Lalique.
We did a lot of shopping, and loved the craft shops and boutiques of St Aubin – pop into The Harbour Gallery for the Cameo Café, where you can take cake and admire (or buy, as I did) the beautiful table lamps. Be sure to visit Helene and the Elf for delightful knitted goods.
I have to admit, though, it was tempting not to leave our hotel. The Atlantic in St Brelade, close to the magni cent St Ouen’s Bay, is a 50-room hotel in a spectacular location, surrounded by lots of space, with few buildings to spoil the views to the sea. Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa pool, a mini-gym, saunas, a tennis court and spacious lounges. The rooms are extremely comfortable, with extras such as bathrobe, slippers and Molton Brown toiletries.
The Atlantic is also home to one of the island’s best eateries, the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant, under renowned chef Mark Jordan. We feasted on delicacies created using many local foods – well, could you resist pan-seared hand-dived Jersey scallops, glazed pork belly, a selection of seafish, crab-crushed Jersey Royals, bok choi and fish bubbles, followed by passion fruit soufflé? Sommelier Sergio dos Santos will help you choose the perfect wine for each course.
This restaurant also takes part in the annual Tennerfest, staged in the autumn when gourmands can choose from 190 fixed-price menus at restaurants all over the Channel Islands and eat extremely well for £10 – some cost a bit more, but it’s still great value for money.
The Atlantic doesn’t have a spa, but there’s a fantastic one not far away. The Ayush Wellness Spa at the Hotel de France on the outskirts of St Helier has an extensive range of Ayurvedic therapies. How about an Ayush Indian Head Massage – a healing relaxation massage of the shoulders and head, which harmonises the body’s natural balance? A great way to end your break in Jersey.
Getting there A two-night break at The Atlantic Hotel (closed in January) costs from £230 per person (based on two sharing), and includes full English breakfast, threecourse table d’hôte dinner served in the Michelinstarred Ocean Restaurant, and a group B hire car (not including petrol, insurance and Jersey hire car tax – to be settled direct with the hire car company). Also, from 7 February to 10 April, the hotel o ers three nights for the price of two (travel to Jersey not included).
01534-744101, www.theatlantichotel.com
For the Living with the Enemy Walk, call Tom Bunting on 01534-482822.
For more info on Jersey: www.jersey.com
Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
LAKE HOUSE SimonEscapes’ latest private rental property is Grey Gables, an architectdesigned, ve-bedroom lakeside lodge on the edge of Lake Windermere. Prices start from £5,880 per week total (£588 per person). www.simonescapes.com
RUGBY WORLD CUP England Rugby Travel is the o§ cial travel agent for fans in Great Britain who want Rugby World Cup 2015 packages, from a coach and ticket deal, to multiple matches and hotel breaks. Preregister online for information when packages are launched early in 2014. www.englandrugbytravel.com
PARTY COURSE Ashburton Cookery School o ers a weekend dinnerparty course, from £315 per person, including two days’ tuition, course notes, recipes and meals. Accommodation on site from £59 single, £89 double with breakfast. www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk
R&C CELEBRATION Relais & Chateaux, the association of individually owned and managed hotels and restaurants, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The 2014 Relais & Chateaux Guide is available from 1 February and can be ordered online. www.relaischateaux.com