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Picnic Sites

With its stunning coastline and intimate, rural landscape Jersey is awash with fabulous spots for a relaxing, tranquil picnic.


Who can think of a greater pleasure than lazing on a picnic rug on a sunny afternoon and feasting on fresh crab sandwiches, delicious strawberries and a glass or two of cider, whilst hearing the distinctive cry of oystercatchers in the background?


Often on holiday we end up charging around fearful of the fact that we might miss one of the “major visitor attractions” and in doing so we can fail to value our very surroundings.


Redress the balance and allow yourself to be tempted to leisurely discover the real Jersey, its food, countryside and, most importantly, its natural beauty.


The ten sites detailed below are all cared for by The National Trust for Jersey and, although some are a little tricky to find, we hope you will agree that they are well worth the extra effort; if only for the peace and stunning views they truly afford.

Listings for: Picnic Sites

St Brelade, Portelet Common, Le Chemin de Portelet

St Brelade, Portelet CommonFamed as a significant hunting site for our Paleolithic and Neolithic ancestors, this coastal heathland area provides dramatic views of St Brelade’s Bay and L’Ouaisné Common. One of the site’s most prominent features is the small building at the end of the headland which was originally constructed as a defensive magazine and battery in 1795.

From La Route de Noirmont head towards Ouaisné and as the road splits take the left turning to Le Chemin du Portelet. Go down to the bottom of the road and over the speed bumps where a small informal parking area can be found. Walk down the track on the right hand side which will lead you to the Common.

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St Helier, Fern Valley, Mont Cochon

St Helier, Fern ValleyA wonderful, secluded valley located on the outskirts of St Helier and comprising meadows, streams and fern-covered wooded côtils. Footpaths enable you to easily explore this delightful site and present the opportunity to spot Red Squirrels, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Golden-ringed Dragonflies.

Fern Valley Meadows Fern Valley is accessed via a small lane of the same name located about half way up Mont Cochon. Limited parking is available at the site entrance just past the Waterworks pumping station. Given the restricted access visitors are encouraged to access this site by walking or cycling.

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St Mary, The Elms, La Chève Rue

St Mary, The ElmsThe Elms is an attractive 18th century farm complex situated at the top of St Peter’s Valley. Gifted to the Trust by Mr Nicolle Jean Perrée in 1975 it has been used as the Trust’s headquarters since 1978. Surrounded by 80 vergées of land and comprising of a main house, farmhouse and an extensive range of outbuildings, The Elms displays a wealth of architectural detail as well as providing an insight into Jersey’s agricultural heritage.

The Elms Meadows and Orchard The Elms is located along La Chève Rue at the top of St Peter’s Valley. During office hours access is permitted to the office, pressoir, farmyard, boulangerie and surrounding land. The main house and farmhouse are tenanted and unavailable for viewing. On-site parking available.

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St Martin, La Coupe, La Rue de la Coupe

St Martin, La CoupeOne of the most unspoilt and beautiful coastal headlands in Jersey marking the turning point between the Jersey’s tranquil eastern slopes and its wild northern cliffs. Comprising côtils, farmland and coastline, La Coupe’s most specific feature is the prominent mount currently surmounted by a white navigation mark and believed to be of religious importance during the megalithic period.

From St Martin’s Village, head towards Rozel Manor along La Grande Route de Rozel. Go past the Manor on your right hand side and take the first right along La Rue des Pelles. Continue along this road and then take your first left. The road splits into La Rue du Scez (another beautiful picnic spot) and La Rue de la Coupe. Drive carefully down La Rue de la Coupe and you will find a small parking area at the end. Parking is limited so it is best to go early in the morning if you want to get a good spot.

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St Clement, Le Don Le Quesne, La Grande Route de la Côte

St Clement, Le Don Le QuesneSandwiched between the beach and St Clement’s coast road is a small strip of land on which the old Eastern Railway used to run between 1873 and 1929. Gifted to the Trust in 1987, this small grassland site has direct access to the beach and is a wonderful spot to watch wading birds on Jersey’s Ramsar site or simply enjoy the view at high tide.

From St Helier head along La Grande Route de la Côte until you reach St Clement’s Parish Hall where ample parking is located. From the Parish Hall head on foot along the coastal road towards Gorey for about 500 yards. Access is at the top of the hill after a mesh fence on your right. Carefully walk down the steps and the site opens up before you. You can also reach the site directly from the beach at low tide.

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St Ouen, Grantez Headland, Le Chemin des Monts

St Ouen, Grantez HeadlandThis extensive area of maritime heathland is located above the escarpment of St Ouen’s Bay and enjoys breathtaking views extending from Corbière lighthouse to L’Etacq. Within its vicinity is a megalithic passage-grave anciently known as Lé Creux ès Fait’tchieaux, due to the local folklore belief that it had been built by the “little people”.

From St Ouen’s Village head down La Route du Marais (Hydrangea Avenue) before turning left down La Rue de Grantez. Thereafter, turn right down La Ruette de Grantez or Le Chemin des Monts until you reach an informal parking area. Look for the footpath on the left hand side which will take you down towards the headland.

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Trinity Vicard Point, La Vielle Charrière

Trinity, Vicard PointFormerly the site of a bungalow reputed to have been stayed in by Miss Katherine Hepburn, this coastal site enjoys stunning views of France and the other Channel Islands. All that remains of the dwelling is the pine tree-lined drive, but one can easily imagine the delights of living in such a stunning location. In early June, wild orchids can be found flowering on the surrounding grasslands.

From St John’s Village head along La Route des Issues and thereafter La Route D’Ebenezer until you reach the Le Vesconte Memorial. At that point turn left along La Rue du Tas de Geon. At the end of the road turn right along La Vielle Charrière and on your left you will see a small track. Proceed a short way along the track before parking up and then continue on foot to the pine tree lined driveway.

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St Martin, Victoria Tower, off La Rue des Marettes

St Martin, Victoria TowerSituated on a hill-top, Victoria Tower is surrounded by wooded slopes and côtils, overlooking Anne Port Bay, St Catherine’s Pier and Mont Orgueil Castle. One of the last Martello towers to be built in the Island, this impressive moated fortification is surrounded by open fields and is a perfect spot to rest and reflect after exploring such sites as Dolmen de Faldouet and Mont Orgueil castle.

Located just off La Rue des Marettes in St Martin, a small track takes you past Seymour Farm, with its blue shutters, towards an informal parking area.

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St Brelade, Le Coleron Battery, Le Chemin des Creux

St Brelade, Le Coleron BatterySituated on a promontory to the south of the harbour jetty at St Brelade’s Bay, this granite paved battery is surrounded by sea on all sides except to the north. Constructed during the reign of George III in order to defend the bay, the battery was originally manned by one Non-Commissioned Officer and 14 men with firelocks. In these more peaceful times it is a truly tranquil spot from which to enjoy enchanting views of the entire bay.

Go past St Brelade’s Bay Church where you will find a small car park on the right. Just opposite the entrance to the car park is a private road called Le Chemin des Creux which you should walk up until you see a small footpath on the left, just past a property on the left. The footpath is known as the Fishemen’s Path and it will take you down to the quay. Once at the quay you will see some steps on your right leading up to a footpath to the battery.

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Trinity, Cider Apple Orchard, La Rue du Mont Pellier

Trinity, Cider Apple OrchardHidden down a small Jersey lane you can discover a little part of Jersey’s past as over 120 apple trees have been planted as a gene bank in order to help safeguard some of Jersey’s traditional cider apple trees. When in blossom this small three vergée field is a place of wonder filled with glorious scent and insect life aplenty. Later in the year it is a place of repose where you can relax under the shade of an apple tree and take it easy in the peaceful depths of Trinity’s countryside.

Cider Apple Orchard Park along La Rue es Picots and head towards Trinity Parish Church. Turn left opposite the Church down La Rue du Mont Pellier and the orchard will be found down the lane on your left hand side.

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