Jersey Places

Although only a small island of approximately 15x8 kilometres, Jersey is full of fascinating places and has varied and beautiful views. Although the intending visitor to the island will find much of interest in this section of Jerripedia, the emphasis is on things historical; what remains from Jersey's past, from prehistoric days to the German Occupation, rather than the island's scenic beauty and holiday attractions. But it is impossible entirely to divorce the two, so be prepared to discover Jersey's history and beauty

Main subjects

• Pre-historical sites
• Parishes
• Offshore islands
• Public buildings
• Jersey houses

• Statues and monuments
• Parks and gardens
• Parish churches
• Defences
• Main harbours and small ports
• Roads and streets
• Other places of interest
• Jersey place names
• Jersey's changing coastline
• Jersey Archive articles on streets and districts

Coast - historical tours around Jersey

Since the earliest guidebooks to Jersey were published the authors have taken their readers on tours of the island, usually, but not always, confining their journey to a coastal route.

Join Jerripedia's own virtual tour around Jersey's historical coastline, calling at old forts and castles, even older earthwork fortifications, small fishing harbours, Miliita training grounds, pre-historic menhirs and dolmens, manor houses and German bunkers, to mention but a few of the historic locations on the island's coast. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of many of Jersey's attractive, sandy bays and steep cliffs as we trace a route through thousands of years of history.

And then see and read

• A more detailed history of Jersey's coastline added in 2019
• A French's artist's album of Jersey in 1888
• A 1733 tour by no less a writer than Daniel Defoe
• An early 19th century tour from St Helier to Gorey
• A comprehensive guide to the island in 1847 by a prominent historian
• Excerpts from a 1932 guidebook
  
• Harwood's 1855 prints of Jersey scenes
• Images of Jersey in 1903

Grosnez Castle

Standing in ruins on top of the cliffs in the north-west corner of Jersey, Grosnez Castle is something of a mystery. Nobody knows when it was built, or exactly why, nor when it was ruined. It could not have been intended to keep invaders out of the island, but perhaps it was a safe refuge for the population after they had arrived.

The walls were built from granite and are thickest on the landward side, because on the three other sides it is protected by steep cliffs some 60 metres high. The perimeter wall was about 250 metres long and enclosed an area roughly circular in shape.

The gatehouse, which is substantially all that remains, was protected by the drawbridge and portcullis and would have been very difficult to capture.