Parishes

St Helier

A busy town and the most populous parish, St Helier is also the Island's capital and main retail centre. While it offers a thoroughly modern shopping experience, you'll find that many of the old French street names survive, and many shop fronts still bear the names of their founders.

The town is named after the Island's first and most famous saint, who lived and preached in Jersey in the sixth century. Among its highlights are the parish church, with its mix of architectural styles, and the Central Market, dating from 1882 and teeming with fresh local produce, meats, fish and flowers.

The city is also home to the Island's parliament, which sits in the States Chamber in the Royal Square and is one of the oldest assemblies in the Commonwealth.

For more ideas on what to see and do in town and around the Island, pop into the Visitor Centre in Liberation Square.

St Brelade

This parish is located on the south and west coast and includes the pretty village of St Aubin, which has its own navigable harbour. It's also home to some of the major German fortifications, built on Noirmont headland.

You'll also find one of the Island's most popular beaches here - the rather exotic palm-fringed St Brelade's Bay. The parish church, built during the 11th century from local granite, stands at the end of this bay.

St Ouen

St Ouen is one of the largest and most interesting parishes, containing St Ouen's Manor and Grosnez Castle.

Its main landmark, however, is the Five Mile Road - though its actual length is around 3 miles. This dramatic stretch of highway is bordered on one side by the sweep of St Ouen's Bay and the Atlantic Coast, and on the other by what is arguably one of the finest sand dune areas in Europe.

St Martin

You'll find lots of traditional farm architecture in this parish, particularly in the lanes around Rozel and St Catherine. St Catherine is also home to the Breakwater, a sheltering arm for moored vessels extending over 640 metres into the sea, and Mont Orgueil Castle, much loved by Sir Walter Raleigh when he was governor of the Island (1600-1603).

The harbour at Rozel is one of the Island's most picturesque, and between St Catherine and Rozel you'll find three small but delightful coves - Fliquet, La Coupe and Saie Harbour.

St Mary

This is among the most northern of Jersey's parishes, and has the smallest population. Its most famous natural feature is Devil's Hole, a large crater in its cliffs.

It's also home to one of the Islanders' favourite stretches of sand, Grève de Lecq beach, where you can soak up the sun and watch the fishermen unload their catch. And situated at the St Mary's end of St Peter's Valley is The Elms, which serves as the headquarters of the National Trust for Jersey.

St John

In this historic parish full of mystery you'll find the Centre Stone of the Island, lying in the small village of Sion. Ronez and Sorel Point are the site of the North Road, built during the German occupation. On the coast are Wolf's Caves, which can only be reached via a very steep and treacherous path.

Trinity

The famous Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust for endangered species is located here, in the grounds of Les Augrès Manor. Les Platons, the highest point in the Island at 453 feet (138 m) above sea level, houses a BBC television station, while Bouley Bay Hill is the venue for the National and International Hill Climbs.

Also well worth a look is the parish church, which features one of the finest mural monuments on the Island - that of Sir Edouard de Carteret.

St Saviour

This is a large sprawling parish, housing much of St Helier's overspill. Here you'll find the burial place of one Jersey's most famous daughters, Emilie Charlotte le Breton - better known as Lillie Langtry - as well as Government House, the residence of Jersey's Lieutenant Governor, close to the Parish Church. This was the third of the residences for the Island's Governor, the first and second being Mont Orgueil and Elizabeth Castles.

Another sight not to be missed is La Hougue Bie, one of the best preserved examples of a Neolithic burial chamber in Europe.

Grouville

Nestling in the southeast tip of the Island, Grouville is the home of oyster beds, the Queen's Valley Reservoir and the picturesque old village of Gorey, which is filled with fine seafood restaurants and hosts a renowned annual summer F&ecric;te. The Royal Bay of Grouville, best viewed from Mont Orgueil Castle, won its 'Royal' prefix in 1859 on the command of Queen Victoria.

St Clement

In this southeast coastal parish you'll find the most unusual seafront in Jersey. It's known as Moonscape Beach, referring to the 2 miles (3 kms) of rock jutting out to sea which are revealed when the tide goes out. Don't walk out too far, as the incoming tide can surround you before you know it. Green Island, a prehistoric site, lies 274 metres from the shore.

St Lawrence

St Lawrence is mainly a farmland parish, with only a small seaboard. Here you'll find the Jersey War Tunnels, dug out of solid rock during the German occupation, and Le R&acric;t Cottage, a magnificent example of a 17th century Jersey dwelling and now a National Trust property. Also well worth a visit is Hamptonne, a collection of faithfully restored farm buildings, which opens seasonally as a visitor attraction.

St Peter

St Peter is the only parish with two coastlines within its boundaries. And if you arrive by air, it's the first parish you encounter, as it's home to the Airport. Visit St Peter's Village, which has been developed in recent years, and you'll discover a varied range of shops, supermarkets and even a real ale brewery.

The steep-sided, picturesque St Peter's Valley runs from Bel Royal to St Mary, where you'll find meadows, streams and a National Trust property, Le Moulin de Quétivel. This mill is the sole working example of its type, and is open to the public.