5 Reasons to Book a Jersey Holiday in 2021

Jersey's Channel Islands recently stole the crown as Condé Nast Traveller Magazine's best walking destination in Europe. With Jersey sitting between the English and French coastlines, you don’t have to travel far and wide in 2021 to enjoy a leisurely break! Being a self-governing dependency of the United Kingdom (so essentially, a bit British but also a bit French) Jersey luckily still falls under our ‘staycation’ category. We may be slightly bias but if you’re looking forward to booking a relaxing holiday later in the year, the Channel Islands really are the best place to do just that. Ready to travel to Jersey and book a long weekend but stuck on an itinerary? Let us help you with our guide on the best 5 things to do in Jersey.

1. Embark on a walking trail

It would be a little frivolous to visit Europe’s best voted walking holiday destination and not stretch your legs along its winding coastal paths, which is why this activity nabs the top spot on our Channel Islands to-do list. Whether it’s a woodland walk, seaside stroll or hilltop hike you’re keen on, Jersey offers everything all within close proximity of each other - so you can explore everything during the course of a weekend. Friendly locals aren’t in short supply either, so don’t be hesitant to go it alone and meet some like-minded individuals along the way. There’s no better way to spend the day than trekking (or gently ambling) coast to coast through the island’s natural beauty, whilst accompanied by the sound of birdsong and sea breeze.

There are a few choices for walking holidays in the UK but Jersey’s walks are truly hard to beat. With so many paths and directions to choose from, there is no real start or end trail; simply head for the hills and when you need a break, stop off at a watering hole or two along the way.

2. Visit the sights

Thinking there will be a lack of things to do in Jersey? Don’t be fooled, the island may be small (nine miles by five, to be exact) but it still boasts an impressive array of iconic sights and points of interest you’ll want to snap a picture of. Probably the most recognisable is Mont Orgueil Castle which sits overlooking Gorey harbour and is renowned for protecting Jersey again French invasion for over 600 years. Elizabeth Castle is another hotspot which isn’t camera shy and impressively dates all the way back to the 16^th century. Situated just a short distance from our spacious Jersey apartments, if you opt to stay with us you can enjoy the convenience of exploring all the best sights on foot.

Also a favourite are the Jersey War Tunnels, an extraordinary exhibition telling the tale of Jersey during the German occupation in the words of the people who were there themselves. If you’re visiting Jersey with children and looking for things to do, then witness some of the world’s rarest animals at Jersey Zoo – it guarantees a day out that both big kids and little kids will love. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in Jersey!

3. Hit the beaches

A summer staycation doesn’t mean compromising on sunny, sandy beach days. Because when you’re on a Jersey holiday, every day can be a beach day! From shingle to sandy and even pebble, Jersey is well known for its endless stretches of rolling sands and surf-friendly waves. This presents a great opportunity to bring your surfboard (or paddleboard, if that’s more your thing) along on your holiday with you, and experience first-hand why the locals love it so much. Claiming the top spot for being the longest beach in Jersey, St Ouens Bay (also known as ‘The Five Mile Road’ for obvious reasons) is arguably the most popular of all the beaches, and as a result can get pretty crowded during the summer months - so we’d suggest the beginning of the year to be the best time to visit. To name a few, Grouville Beach, Bonne Nuit Beach, Beauport Beach and St Brelade’s Bay are amongst some of the other much-loved sandy spots on the island that are also worth a visit. It’d be foolish to travel to Jersey and not get sand between your toes!

4. Grab a bite to eat

With all of the exercise that a walking holiday in the UK can bring, you’re bound to be hungry. And when you’re on holiday, you’ll be looking to reward yourself with a full belly of delicious food. From seafront restaurants and cafes to independent bistros and food-to-go markets, you could even make a picnic to take on your trip to one of the many Jersey beaches!

Foodies far and wide rave about Jersey’s offerings, and with delicious seafood unsurprisingly on offer almost everywhere you go it’s not hard to understand why. Enjoy fresh catches whilst sitting back and taking in the scenic views. Whatever your taste, you’ll feel right at home as it’s not just fish on offer here, the island’s best produce also includes a variety of cheeses, chutneys and home-grown tomatoes. Almost everywhere you look there’s Michelin stars and AA rosette boasting venues aplenty.

A trip to the Jersey Crab Shack in Saint Brélade is recommended for those who are after cuisine straight from the sea. Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner from the generous seafront terrace - or indoor dining area if the sun has its hat on. Alternatively Rozel Bay’s candy-striped kiosk The Hungry Man nestled on the harbour is a notable favourite amongst tourists and locals alike, so make a note to drop by if you’re visiting North East of the island.

If it’s specifically the varied (and extremely delicious) cuisine of the island you want to celebrate, it’s worth visiting during the highly anticipated Tennerfest festival. It’s an iconic fixed price food festival which usually runs over the course of a month towards the end of the year. It’s definitely worth planning your Jersey holiday around this festival to get a taste of all the food this beautiful island has to offer.

5. Book one of the many wonderful hotels

Many of the hotels, bed and breakfasts and restaurants in Jersey are unbeatable, with gorgeous sea views, scenic walks on the doorstep and a friendly, homely atmosphere. Looking for a place to stay? We offer spacious studio, one and two bedroom serviced apartments, all of which are designed with comfort in mind.

Whether you're staying with us in Jersey for a night, a weekend or longer, you can expect a warm welcome from our guest services team who’ll be on hand to help you settle in, with a wealth of local knowledge.

And just a short stroll from your Jersey apartment, you’ll be in the town where you’ll find an array of unique shops, restaurants and bars.

So, what are you waiting for? With picturesque landscapes spanning long-winding coastlines, and an excellent location just a short one hour flight from London, you really don’t need any more excuses to take a Jersey holiday. So go on - book now and make it one to remember by staying in one of our fabulous Jersey apartments at SACO Jersey – Merlin House.