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Jersey - where the tides rule (and crowds don't)
A perfect blend of continental flair and British charm.
Mike D. Lang
November 03, 2024
Gorey Harbour, Jersey by David Blaikie (CC Licence)
If, like me, you grew up watching Bergerac (an 80s BBC detective TV show), you probably know the most important bit of the series.
No, not John Nettles, who played the troubled private investigator.
It’s the island that magically morphs into the show’s title in the opening sequence of each episode.
That island is Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, a self-governing dependency of the United Kingdom that is - physically at least - closer to France than it is to the Cliffs of Dover.
And as the BBC is planning to reboot the show, what better time to have a closer look at the island before the crowds of influencers descend on it once the show premieres some time next year?
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JERSEY - WHERE IN THE WORLD?
While summer crowds swamp Cornwall's beaches, Jersey sits quietly in the English Channel, just 14 miles (22km) from France, offering a perfect blend of British charm and Continental flair - minus the tourist hordes.
JERSEY - WHAT’S THE ATTRACTION?
The World's Biggest Water Park (Sort of)
Jersey boasts one of the world's largest tidal ranges, with the sea retreating up to a mile from shore twice daily.
This natural phenomenon transforms the landscape dramatically, revealing hidden caves, ancient fishermen's huts, and vast sandy expanses.
Join a guided walk to Seymour Tower, an 18th-century coastal defence that becomes an island at high tide. Time it right, and you'll be harvesting oysters where fish swam hours earlier.
Wildlife Shows, No Tickets Required
Unlike the cramped seal-watching boats of Dorset, Jersey's wildlife viewing comes with space to breathe.
Spring brings puffins and dolphins to the northern cliffs, while autumn sees grey seals lounging on Les Écréhous reef.
Book a trip to explore these remote reefs without fighting for photo space.
Winter bonus: thousands of brent geese arrive from Siberia, turning St. Ouen's Bay into nature's own theatre.
Le Ecrehous by Mig Gilbert (CC)
Underground Time Travel
Skip the tourist-packed war museums and head beneath the surface - literally.
The German Underground Hospital spans over a kilometre of eerie tunnels. It was built by the Germans using slave labour and gives its visitors a flavour of what WWII felt like on the island.
Visit during off-peak hours to experience the haunting atmosphere of this WWII relic in near solitude.
Don't miss the less-visited Channel Islands Military Museum nearby, housed in a German bunker that once guarded St. Ouen's Bay.
GO IF…
you’re a secret Bergerac fan or simply think Cornwall is too much, too far and too crowded.
DON’T GO IF…
if you think a proper holiday requires a Starbucks on every corner, or if walking on seaweed-slippery rocks sounds like your personal nightmare.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Fly direct to Jersey Airport from multiple UK cities, or take the fast ferry from Poole or Portsmouth.
For an adventure, catch the ferry from St. Malo, France - it takes just an hour.
CURIOUS? READ ON:
⚽️ Jersey hosts international walking football tournament
🕵️♂️ Damien Molony to play Bergerac in new series
Previously Re-Routed visited Tromsø, Sifnos, Bologna and Raja Ampat among other destinations.
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See you next week. Safe travels.
Mike