48 Hours in Jersey: A Magical Winter Weekend Away in the Channel Islands

Picture this. You’ve had a long week at work, the best possible views you’ll get will be the back of your garden and between all of that, you’ll most likely be spending many hours of your weekend stuck on the underground or if in the countryside – a car to get just about anywhere. But what if one Friday evening after work you could change all of that and be back home and in your front door by 7pm on the Sunday? I know what I’d rather do and so we recently challenged that with a blissful 48 hours in Jersey.

The great thing about Jersey is that the flights from London airports last for just 30-40 minutes and from leaving our door in London at 5pm – we was sitting down for dinner in Jersey by 8pm. It’s incredible really. As you’re still travelling domestically, when you touch down at the airport it takes just another 10 minutes till your outside the terminal where you can pick-up a hire car before whizzing away to your hotel. We were staying at the five-star Grand Jersey Hotel in St Helier which offers magnificent views from almost every window. Perfect for the clear blue skies we were lucky enough to enjoy.

A quick check-in process later and we climbed the gorgeous spiral staircase and checked into our room. Staying in one of the ocean view deluxe double rooms, we immediately fell in love with not just the hotel, but Jersey all over again. When you have this much light pouring into your bedroom and quite literally the best sea views from the comfort of your bed – you’ll understand why Jersey is such a special place.

Dinner on our first evening was yet another wonderful experience during our 48 hours. The restaurant, Tassili which is located inside the same hotel we were staying in was a restaurant we’d not heard of before but which turned out to be one of Jersey’s best kept secrets. An evening of fine dining, exquisite service and some truly wonderful cooking full of lots of surprises. Read my full review of Tassili HERE. it shouldn’t be missed!

While it may have been rather cold on our visit with the island being battered by the Beast from the East, the sun was shining every day and so everything looked incredibly picturesque. With this weekend being all about exploration and relaxation, we ordered breakfast to our room and enjoyed those stunning sea views.

It may be my inner child or love for animals but after breakfast we couldn’t resist a visit to Jersey Zoo which is just a short 20 minute drive from St Helier. This isn’t your ordinary zoo however, nor is it meant as a money-making tourist attraction – but instead plays an important role as protecting some of the most vulnerable animals on the planet from extinction.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust was founded back in 1959 by the celebrated author and naturalist Gerald Durrell of which you may recognise the name from the TV Series “The Durrell’s”. Committed to saving some of the most vulnerable animals on the planet from the very real risk of extinction, the team here are constantly working against the odds, even with species actually thought extinct (like the Madagascar pochard and pygmy hog). This zoo has brought back species from the brink of disaster, and continue to do so. A must visit for any wildlife lover and great for the children.

Having worked up a well-deserved appetite, we left the zoo and went off in the search of food and views. That led us south-east of the island to the picturesque harbour village of Gorey. This fishing village is a centre for food heritage – right from the steep castle-facing fields where the first of the island’s Jersey Royal potatoes are grown to the oyster beds revealed by the low tide and the local fishing industry.

Food as you may be able to tell has been part of Gorey life for centuries, so take the opportunity to explore the village’s many restaurants. We sat outside, watched the boats come in and tucked into a good plate of some excellent grilled prawns. Exactly what we were looking for.

With still a little room left (because there is always room for fresh seafood) we took our car back to our hotel in St Helier and enjoyed a short walk across to one of Jersey’s institutions when it comes to supplying the island with the best fish and shellfish possible – The Fresh Fish Company.

Located on Victoria Pier which is a working landing pier where the fresh produce from the ocean comes into daily – the shop couldn’t be any more at home here. Supplying several top hotels and restaurants in the UK, this is also the beating heart for the local community.

Fresh spider crabs in the Summer months (though there was an early batch when we arrived due to some tremors), local mackerel, turbot, Dover sole, John Dorey, monkfish and scallops to rival any. The business is looked after by the very infectious Vicky Boarder and brother Louis Jackson. They even sent us off with the freshest crab and selection of local produce which lasted but minutes!

Back to the warmth of our hotel, we took a seat in the lounge & bar area – somewhere we found ourselves retreating too most evenings. This time it was for a thick and luxurious hot chocolate served with some homemade cookies.

Dinner later that evening was a restaurant that seems to constantly be recommended me. Part of the JP Group of restaurants, Oyster Box is located south-west of the island on St Brelades Bay – also regarded as the islands best beach. Magnificent views over the bay and some of the freshest seafood in Jersey. Read my full review of Oyster Box.

Still full from the night before we skipped breakfast and took to seeing some more of Jersey’s sights. Especially as had to leave later that afternoon. We took a long walk from our hotel right to the east of the island. Passing back through St Helier, taking in the scenery from Le Mare and finishing up in Le Hocq. Here you can perch over the rocks and grab a snack or ice-cream from the local food truck.

Back in the car we made a slow return to the airport continuing around the east of the island to the North. It’s here where you’ll find some truly exceptional natural beauties such as the absolutely stunning Rozel Bay and further on Bouley Bay for its pristine turquoise waters.

Having stopped in such a beautiful location, we could not enjoy a spot of lunch while looking out over Rozel Bay. The Rozel, located just a few minutes from the water’s edge is a country pub serving up tradition British classics in a lovely white washed dining room. Simple dishes such as deep-fried calamari didn’t disappoint, nor did the generous helping of succulent roast beef and a bowl of creamy local Ice-cream to finish. A must visit, even if you only have time for a drink or two.

Another new place we discovered which we’d not heard of before was Devil’s Hole. The Devil’s Hole is a natural crater in the solid cliff and measures around 100ft across and plunging 200ft down. It has been caused by the sea gradually eroding the roof of what was once a cave, until it collapsed and formed a crater.

The name ‘Devil’s Hole’ was invented in the 19th century and formerly known as ‘Le Creux de Vis’ or Spiral Cave, so we found out. Apparently, one possible derivation for its modern name is connected with the shipwreck of a French boat in 1851. Its figurehead was thrust by the tide straight into the hole and a local sculptor transformed the torso into a wooden devil, complete with horns. Today this devil’s metal replica stands in a pool on the way down to the crater, lending a peculiarly supernatural atmosphere to the winding path down to the Devil’s Hole itself.

Sadly it was time to catch our 5pm plane from Jersey and head back home to London, but it came with much regret. We had such a fantastic 48 hours in Jersey, full of delicious food, great people and some wonderful sights. The great thing about this little island is that everything is so accessible throughout the year and so 48 hours is still plenty of time to explore all it has to offer and get a taster of the island life. Visit Jersey once and you’ll be coming back for many years to come. Just like we do.