A few favourite corners of our island.

One of the lovely things about Jersey is how quickly the landscape changes. Leave the farm and a quiet lane can lead into a wooded valley, through another parish or out towards the coast before you feel as though you’ve travelled very far at all.

This isn’t meant to be a definitive guide to the island. Just a handful of places nearby, and a little further afield, that we think are worth knowing about.

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A little old Jersey at Hamptonne

Not far from us in St Lawrence, Hamptonne is one of those places that makes it easy to imagine an older Jersey. The farmhouses date back to the 15th century, with orchards to wander through, a traditional cider barn and plenty about the farming life that shaped the island long before any of us were here. There are chickens too, so you don’t have to stray entirely from farm life.

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Explore Hamptonne

https://www.jerseyheritage.org/visit/places-to-visit/hamptonne-country-life-museum/

https://www.nationaltrust.je/our-work/historic-buildings/hamptonne-country-life-museum/
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Have a rummage at The Trading Point

The Trading Point occupies St Lawrence’s old general store, a building with plenty of character before you’ve even made it through the door. Inside, the rooms are filled with ceramics, art, homewares and other finds, including work from Jersey artists and makers.

It’s the sort of place where you can go in for a card and emerge rather later with something you had absolutely no intention of buying.

Have a potter

https://thetradingpointjersey.com
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Fill a bag at SCOOP

Also in St Lawrence, SCOOP at Bienvenue Farm is well worth a stop if good local food is your thing. The farm shop brings together produce from local growers and makers, with a kitchen alongside and plenty happening around food, growing and the land.

If you like knowing where your food has come from, it’s a good place to call in on the way back to the farm.

Visit Scoop

Drop down to Bonne Nuit

Head north and the lanes eventually fall away towards Bonne Nuit, a tiny harbour tucked beneath the cliffs. Fishing boats still work from here, and at low tide a little sandy beach appears below the pebbles.

Bonne Nuit Beach Café sits right by the bay, which makes this a particularly good place to stop when a coastal walk has conveniently turned into lunch.

HEAD TO BONNE NUIT

https://www.jersey.com/things-to-do/points-of-interest/listings/bonne-nuit-bay/

Take the bends to Bouley Bay

Part of the pleasure of Bouley Bay is getting there. The road winds down through a succession of hairpin bends before the harbour appears below, tucked between the green cliffs of Jersey’s north coast.

Walk the pier, brave the water if the weather is behaving, or stop at Mad Mary’s at the end of the sea wall for one of the hot chocolates or burgers she’s become known for.

FIND BOULEY BAY

https://www.jersey.com/things-to-do/points-of-interest/listings/bouley-bay/

There are plenty more places we could add, and we’ll probably think of another as soon as we’ve finished writing this. Jersey is small enough to keep exploring without having to plan the whole day around it. Take the long way back, follow the lane you haven’t tried before, and see where you end up.

Laurent & Paris