Nestled in the English Channel, St. Helier is the largest city on Jersey Island. Surrounded by ocean and filled with distinct cultural experiences, St. Helier is a location ready for any and all tastes. A get-away with historical sights, parks, and museums, this city will give you all you need by the seaside.
Read on to find out the best things to do in St. Helier, UK:
1. Find history lost at sea at Elizabeth Castle
Once built to guard the island of Jersey, this 300-year-old castle sitting atop an inlet now represents part of the British heritage. Both the Castle Ferry or the causeway (during low tide) can get you to this historic monument. Explore by climbing the battlements, or witnessing one of the live demonstrations with gunfire and soldiers. The tour is also not overly expensive.
Elizabeth Castle
Address: St Aubin’s Bay, St Helier, JE3 3NU or Castle Ferry Kiosk, Les Jardins de la Mer, West Park, St Helier, JE3 3NU
Website: Elizabeth Castle
2. Explore at the Maritime Museum and Occupation Tapestry Gallery
Discover Jersey’s maritime past in this historic museum with interactive exhibits. Learn how the tides work, how to design and float a ship, and the past of British maritime. Still not interested? The exhibit is more than just science and touches on the island’s myths and legends, bringing to life stories from beyond the grave. Tickets are around 50 USD for a family of four, with options for passes to visit other historical heritage sites.
Maritime Museum and Occupation Tapestry Gallery
Address: New North Quay, New North Quay, St. Helier JE2 3ND
3. Promenade along St. Helier Beach
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the bay of St. Helier, stretching from St. Helier to St. Aubin. The beach is sunny, populated with beach cafes and a lovely promenade, and has the softest sand on the island. Waterskiing and jet skiing for hire are available nearby, making it the ideal place for any water lover.
St. Helier Beach
Website: St. Helier
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4. Be moved by the story of Liberation Square
Five years after the German occupation in WWII, Liberation Square was named to commemorate the struggle of the Allies. A symbol of freedom, the figures are seen holding up the Union flag and surrounded by water. Visitors and locals alike find it moving and a reminder of a deadly war.
Liberation Square
Address: St Helier JE2 3QA Jersey
Website: Liberation Square
5. Count whales and dolphins on Jersey Seafaris
Take a boat ride through the waters of Jersey where you can spot all sorts of marine creatures. From dolphins to whales to schools of fishes, this is an ideal boating adventure to explore your neighborhood fish friends. Still not sold? Tours begin at the very affordable rate of 38 USD.
Jersey Seafaris
Address: St. Catherine’s Breakwater, Jersey JE3 6DD, United Kingdom
Website: Jersey Seafaris
6. Enjoy the view from Mont Orgueil
Want to explore a medieval castle dating back over 800 years? Stop by Mont Orgueil, an enchanting stone figure perched above the fishing village of Gorey. From this angle, you can take in breathtaking views of the French coast, climb up and down staircases, towers, and stumble upon hidden passages ways and age-old secrets. From above you can view the entire island and will truly be able to say you’ve seen it all.
Mont Orgueil
Address: Castle Green Gorey St Martin, Jersey JE3 6ET
Website: Mont Orgueil
7. Visit one of the oldest buildings in the world: La Hougue Bie
You didn’t misread the header– La Hougue Bie, housed in St. Helias, is one of the ten oldest buildings in the world. Older than the pyramids, this allows you to enter into Jersey’s Neolithic history. Once nominated for a Visit England Hidden Gem Award, visitors feel transported to another time while wandering this ancient space.
La Hougue Bie
Address: La Route de la Hougue Bie, Grouville, JE2 7UA
Website: La Hougue Bie
8. Car lovers line up at the Mansell Collection
Visit the Mansell Collection for a thrilling recounting of Nigel Mansell’s journey to become one of the world’s greatest racing drivers. Above the showroom lined with a myriad of cars, step in to hear his story told via detailed interviews with the legend himself.
Mansell Collection
Address: St Aubin’s Rd, JE2 3LP, Jersey
Website: Mansell Collection
9. Uncover stories from the past at the Jersey Museum
From prehistory to war history, this museum covers the wide range of Jersey past. Tickets are around 38 USD for a family of four, giving you access to a wide range of exhibits including fossils, aviation techniques, and even an exact replica of a merchant’s home.
Jersey Museum
Address: The Weighbridge, St Helier JE2 3NG, Jersey
Website: Jersey Museum
10. Spend an afternoon in Howard Davis Park
Lined with flowers, well-manicured grass, and serene pathways, this is the ideal place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. With a cafe nearby, a children’s playground, picnicking areas and a bandstand, this park can satisfy any desire to spend some time outdoors.
Howard Davis Park
Address: 6 St Clement’s Rd, Jersey
Website: Howard Davis Park
Come explore history and ocean in St. Helier
With cozy beachfront cafes, comfortable boardwalks, and soft sandy beaches, St. Helier is the golden location for any beach lover. What about history? If you’ve ever been curious about the British past hidden underneath the ocean surface, this city will teach you more than you can imagine. With learning and leisure combined hand-in-hand, St. Helier is the perfect trip for you to relax and discover more about historic England.