Goldenbackpacker.com

JERSEY - STAY FOR LESS "££"

JERSEY is a British Bailiwick Island, located a 100 miles off the South coast of England yet only 14 miles from France. It has a long & complex History with the first settlers going back to 50K years. Its link to England stems from 911 to 933 AD when the Vikings from Scandinavia were raiding & pillaging in France the French King gave up Normandy & the Channel Isles, including Jersey to stop the attacks. The Viking/ Norman Duke William 2 went on to conquer England in 1066, defeating Harold at the Battle of Hastings to become King William 1 of England. Later King, John, lost Normandy back to the French King but Jersey was allowed to decide which Crown they would follow & they chose England, who offered them self rule as a bribe, so Jersey loyalty extends to this day.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – GOREY, HAUT DE LA GARENNE YHA HOSTEL, on Rue de la Pouclee et des Quatre Chemins, phew! (on the East side of the Isle, near to Orgueil Castle, take 3A Bus & ask for YHA stop) tele 0870 770 6130 – www.yha.org.uk - £18 incl full English break. & sheets in 8 x dorms with sep shower/wash rooms. Good S/C Kitchen with 1 st class utensils & sep. dining/ meeting room, Restaurant for Break & Ev. Meals, TV lounge, Games room, Laundry room .This is a large 5* Hostel, opened in 2004, also has private en suite rooms & has its own spacious grounds to walk around.

NO 1 – ST. HELIER, HAVELOCK GUEST HOUSE, at 27/28 Havre de Pas ST. H. JE2 4UQ (from Bus Station walk through Tunnel Roadway then down Roseville St. to sea front then turn right) tele 01534 730663 - www.havelockguesthouse.com - £16 single balcony room, sheets, towels & tea making, with TV incl full English break. No S/C but room adequate for snacks, downstairs lounge with Cable TV. This is great value accomm. & best view of sea swimming pool & Bay looking towards sunny South

For Golfers - Wheatlands off Old Beaumont Hill, St Peter is “Par Non” www.wheatlandsjersey.com

FOOD – for self catering at the Hostel is found in the local Gorey SPA Supermarket come Post Office but the excellent YHA full English breakfasts set you up well for the day. In St. Helier a couple of main Supermarkets are found, Coop next to the Gas Works has the best selection & Checkers in the Central shopping area. There is also a pretty indoor market in the Town Centre with fresh produce.

TRAVELLING AROUND – for Backpackers is by walking using Busses for distant locations when the essential Bus Route & Timetable Book (50p) is essential to identify the limited service times around the Island. Fares are based on a Zone system A 90p to D 1.60.

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. MONT ORGUEIL CASTLE – East shore, 13C Norman Fortress with great views over harbour
2. GOREY HARBOUR – Picturesque marina & pier with interesting little museum of the area
3. DOLMEN DE FALDOUET – Neolithic burial ground with grave & 24 tonne cover stone
4. ST CATHERINES PIER – Jetty 800m long built for British sail ships against France in 17C
5. QUEENS VALLEY RESERVIOR – Walk around this newest Water Store to freshen up
6. ST HELIER, HAVRE DES PAS – Pleasant Bay to stay with natural sea water swimming pool
7. “ TOWN CENTRE – Lots of “English” shops, original Pubs & good Museums
8. “ ROYAL SQUARE – Centre with lots of history incl. surrender to Germans 1940
9. “ CENTRAL LIBRARY – Gem of local information, Internet & UK newspapers
10. “ HARBOUR & STEAM CLOCK – Ferries to France, Marinas & quaint time piece

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. ELIZABETH CASTLE – 15C Castle in St Aubin's Bay, used by Charles 2 & visited by “Ducks”
2. JERSEY ZOO – Founded by Gerald Durrel, this unique Wildlife Park breeds endangered species
3. JERSEY MUSEUM – In old 18C warehouse on Liberation Square with insight into Islands history

* Alex, Jane, Ann Marie – Bill & Carol, Chris & Francis, Joe & Marie, Terry & Carol, John