Jersey: See
Consider buying a Jersey Heritage Pass for the main attractions. In 2022 it costs £36.75 adult, £33.25 senior, £24.40 child or student. It's valid for four sites over 7 days, so effectively it saves the fourth entry fee. In St Helier it covers Elizabeth Castle (including castle ferry), the Maritime Museum and the Jersey Museum & Art Gallery; elsewhere it covers La Hougue Bie, Mont Orgueil Castle and Hamptonne Country Life Museum. It does not include the War Tunnels, or any other attraction not run by Jersey Heritage.
Town is mostly modern. It's named for the 6th century Helier of Tongeren (now in Belgium), who moved west seeking ever more remote abodes till he fetched up here. The waterfront is a busy thoroughfare. A few blocks further inland is a warren of small streets, pedestrianised or traffic-restricted; these are pleasant enough but you could be anywhere on the English south coast.
1 Elizabeth Castle, St Aubin's Bay JE2 3NU, ☏ +44 1534 723971. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5:30PM. Castle on a tidal islet, built from the 16th century when the stronghold at Mont Orgueil became vulnerable to improving cannon power. It was built over a confiscated abbey, and saw action during the English Civil Wars, and the Seven Years War with France. A barracks was also built, but the site made them sitting ducks so the garrison was moved to Jersey main island. South side of the islet is the 12th-century hermitage built where, according to legend, Saint Helier lived. At low tide you walk to the castle across a causeway, at high tide you take the "ferry", which is a pair of amphibious vehicles - see website for tide times. The kiosk for ferry tickets is on the slipway directly opposite the Grand Jersey Hotel - don't follow signs for "Port Elizabeth Ferry Terminal" which is for the big ferries to the mainland. Assistance dogs only. Adult £13.25, child or student £8.60, senior £11.90, + £3 ferry; Jersey Heritage Pass includes ferry. (updated Jul 2022)
2 Maritime Museum, New North Quay, St Helier JE2 3ND, ☏ +44 1534 811043. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar: Sun 10AM-4PM. Great hands-on exposition of Jersey's colourful maritime history, which involved lots of pirates, privateers and other salty rapscallions. Includes the Occupation Tapestry Gallery commemorating wartime events. Adult £11, child or student £7.15, senior £9.90, Jersey Heritage Pass valid. (updated Jul 2022)
3 Jersey Museum & Art Gallery, The Weighbridge, St Helier JE2 3NG, ☏ +44 1534 633300. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar: daily 10AM-4PM. Interesting displays of Jersey life, from Ice Age hairy mammoths, farming and wildlife, Victoriana, the actress Lillie Langtry (1853-1929), and the Nazi occupation. Plus small art gallery. Adult £11, child or student £7.15, senior £9.90, Jersey Heritage Pass valid. (updated Jul 2022)
4 Samarès Manor Botanic Gardens, Grande Route de St Clement JE2 6QW (Bus 1a), ☏ +44 1534 879551. Apr-Oct: daily 9:30AM-5PM. …