Just 9 miles long and 5 miles wide, this unique little island may be British, but it feels like a French slice. It's not surprising to see the jersey sits just 14 miles from the coast of Brittany and the clean harbor of St. Malo, but well over 80 miles from the mainland of the UK.
It was often called “a little of France that fell into the sea” and was picked up by the British. Enjoy the comforts of the familiar creatures of the British island, while also having French place names, French flavours in the food, and even the remnants of the Norman language. And while English is the official language, this gorgeous island has its own dialect, Geria, derived from Norman French. Its history is deeply intertwined with Normandy, and this is reflected in its place name, architecture, and even culinary traditions.
However, jerseys are a crown dependent. In other words, parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy with loyalty to the British crown.
Jersey was part of the Principality of Normandy, and its duke became king of England from 1066. After the Normundy was lost by the British king in the 13th century and the title of Decal surrendered to France, Jersey remained loyal to the British crown, but did not become part of the Kingdom of England.
At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Jersey was at the forefront of the Anglo-French War, where it was invaded many times, leading to the construction of fortresses such as the Mont Orgail Castle and the thriving smuggling industry. During World War II, the island was invaded and occupied by the Nazis for five years. The island was released on May 9, 1945 and is now celebrated as Island National Day.
Today, the British influence is still felt. English is the main language and sterling of the pound is the main currency, which is very easy for UK visitors. Other British cultural similarities include left driving, access to British television, newspapers and other media, followed by British school curriculum, and the popularity of British sports, including soccer and cricket. And of course, the island is well known to the British through the popular BBC TV drama Bergerac starring John Nettles.
According to the visiting jersey, around 400,000 British visitors went to the island in 2024, making a significant contribution to the island's tourism industry.
British couples Steve and Vanessa Butcher have visited the jerseys 75 times since winning a one-day trip at the 1985 tournament.
Butcher told the BBC: They continued to visit, calling the island “scenic, friendly and homely.”
Jersey offers a wide range of attractions, ranging from historic sites such as castles and war tunnels to beautiful beaches and famous zoos. Some of the most popular attractions include Elizabeth Castle, Mont or Gale Castle, Jersey Whart Tunnel and Jersey Zoo.
The island also features a Michelin-starred restaurant and a Bohemia bar and restaurant located at the Club Hotel & Spa in the capital, St. Helier. It is the only restaurant in Jersey and Channel Islands to receive a Michelin star. Bohemia has held the star for 19 years in a row and has also been recognized in four AA rosettes.
British airports offer 1 hour flights to Jersey, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham and Southampton, offering 1 hour flight time to London. EasyJet, British Airways, and Blue Islands are one of the airlines that operate these routes.
