Inland Island - Green Lanes and Country Walks

Of Jersey’s 12 parishes, three truly embrace this rural heartland. From west to east, the parishes of St Peter, St Lawrence and St Saviour arc their way through much of the interior.

St Peter can claim to have initiated Jersey’s ‘Green Lane’ scheme. The post-war population explosion brought more cars and increasing congestion. When commuters began using the island’s narrow rural lanes as rat-runs, a parishioner in St Peter suggested reducing speed limits to just 15mph. With States approval the Green Lane system was born, drivers having to give way to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Geographically, St Peter comes in two halves. In the west there’s high ground with far-reaching views across St Ouen’s Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, while elsewhere the parish is characterised by wooded lanes and valleys. St Peter’s Valley, for example, is amongst the Island’s most attractive. Clothed in luxuriant woodland, much of it in the care of the National Trust for Jersey, it threads its way inland from St Aubin’s Bay (follow the A11). The valley is also home to Le Moulin de Quétivel, a restored working mill open to visitors on Saturdays throughout the summer.

St Lawrence, like St Peter, has two distinct sides. The north, peaceful and green, is landlocked and on high ground, while further south it becomes more developed as it reaches the sea at St Aubin’s Bay.

The parish is blessed with some of the island’s most beautiful lanes and unspoilt valleys. One of Jersey’s most distinctive landscape features is the Waterworks Valley. Don’t let the prosaic name put you off. This lovely valley, accessible by the C118 from the south coast, contains three reservoirs and lots of leafy glades ideal for walking – thanks especially to the many woodland paths to follow, including a trail known as the Millennium Walk. At the northern end of the valley call into Hamptonne, a living museum that recreates Jersey’s rural past.

Other attractions in St Lawrence (and adjoining St Peter) include the Jersey War Tunnels, two National Trust properties (Morel Farm and Le Rât cottage), The Living Legend and The Elms, the Trust’s headquarters. All can be combined as part of a day’s walking itinerary – see Signposting for further information.

Head east and you’ll reach St Saviour. Although the most densely populated parish, most of the settlement is concentrated along the boundary with St Helier, leaving two-thirds with green fields and pastures. The parish is the closest Jersey has to being landlocked with just a tiny stretch of coastline around 330ft/100m long!

Its western flank is marked by Les Grands Vaux, a long valley leading out from St Helier to a reservoir. The walking here, in common with the rest of the parish, is mainly on country roads. Lanes take you deep into St Saviour’s countryside, past herds of Jersey cows and some beautiful old houses complete with Jersey arches. Other notable attractions include the delightful Howard Davis Park in the south and, in the east, La Hougue Bie, one of Europe’s finest neolithic (New Stone Age) sites.

The Long and Short of it

Walks for all abilities

An excellent short walk of medium difficulty and about four miles one way takes in Waterworks Valley and Fern Valley. Enter waterworks Valley from the southerly main road onto the C118 (off the A1), a defined footpath lines the early section of the valley on the right hand side and acts as a pavement, as cars use the valley too. Walk for a little over a mile past Millbrook Reservoir, then look out for a right turn with the name La Ruelle St Claire, it's a right turn off the C118 onto a footpath only 20 metres long before truning right, back on itself.

You're now walking on a gravel path under the trees.

The next section of the walk is a short, steep climb up a gravel track (occasionally used by horse riders but mainly walkers) up to Mont Cochon (B27). Cross straight over the top and descend into Fern Valley, at the bottom of which is an 11-acre/4.5-hectare wet meadow and stream, a National Trust for Jersey gem that’s a haven for wildlife. (Once into Fern Valley, just follow the country lane, no map required).

Once at the bottom of Fern Valley, you’re faced with another hill to the east, that takes you into a pleasant residential area called Mont à l’Abbe, passing a local farm. From here, heading south, back to St Helier. the route passes the main entrance of a school, Haute Vallée.

The States of Jersey 1:25,000 Leisure Map is an ordnance survey style map of Jersey, it is printed on A2 quality print paper and is folded. The Map is ideal for walkers of all abilities and highlights tourist and leisure information, roads and paths plus key landmarks. A variety of maps can be purchased from the Jersey Tourism Visitor Centre and local book shops.

Watching the Wildlife

Most of Jersey’s woodlands are set in deep-cut valleys, carved by streams that play a vital role in woodland life. Willow scrub thrives on the marshy ground close to the water and a variety of broadleaved trees rise from the steep banks. Most of the common tree species are present including oak, ash, wild cherry and sycamore. Strolls beneath this canopy may reveal members of Jersey’s thriving population of red squirrels, a shy creature at home in less disturbed woodlands.

In spring and summer woodland footpaths are edged with wildflowers. Bluebells, wood sorrel, wild daffodil and celandine appear in spring and later, as the sun gains warmth, herb robert, red campion and foxglove brighten the sun-dappled glades.

Ivy is prolific in these areas both at ground level and on mature trees, providing nesting sites and a source of food and shelter for a variety of woodland birds and insects. Rabbit, hedgehog, wood mouse and common shrew share the woodland floor. If you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of the great spotted woodpecker.

En Route

The Elms/Le Rât /Morel Farm (National Trust for Jersey)
The Trust seeks to restore, preserve and maintain Jersey’s built heritage. It currently owns 16 properties and cares for several other small buildings and historic structures in the island including The Elms, an attractive 18th-century farm complex at the top of St Peter’s Valley. St Lawrence is home to Morel Farm, a ‘working farm’, and Le Rât cottage, a typical small 17th-century Jersey house of which very few remain unaltered.

Eric Young Orchid Foundation
Tucked away in the heart of Jersey is a tropical paradise housing one of the world’s finest collections of orchids. These rare and beautiful plants are displayed in naturalistic settings that showcase their extravagant and compelling beauty.

Hamptonne
Hamptonne, in the centre of the island, is a true slice of Jersey’s agricultural past. It consists of a cluster of faithfully restored farm buildings including two thatched and furnished houses partly dating from the 15th century, a cider house, bakery, washhouse and stables.

La Hougue Bie
This amazing neolithic (New Stone Age) site – the undisputed star of Jersey’s many prehistoric monuments – was used for rituals around 6,000 years ago. One of the largest and best-preserved passage graves in Europe lies buried within a huge mound topped by a medieval church. The site also contains a small museum, recreated neolithic house and encampment, and a German Occupation command bunker

Jersey Goldsmiths
Each year Jersey Gold welcomes over 200,000 visitors to its world of gold and gemstones, set amongst Lion Park’s beautiful lake and gardens.

Jersey War Tunnels
The tunnels are another must-visit island site. Within a vast underground bunker – worth visiting itself for its sheer scale – there are exhibitions, displays and ‘talking heads’ that movingly recall Germany’s World War Two Occupation of the island.

The Living Legend
The village contains a host of family attractions for all ages, including ‘The Jersey Story’, an award-winning multi-media recreation of the island through the ages, two 18-hole adventure golf courses and Jersey Karting.

Le Moulin de Quétivel
Another National Trust property, this watermill is the only working mill left in St Peter’s Valley. It still grinds it own flour and there’s an exhibition tracing the history of milling in the island.

Pallot Steam, Motor and General Museum
There’s something to spark everyone’s interest amongst this fascinating collection of steam, motor and agricultural machinery, toys, domestic items, organs, railway memorabilia and nostalgic photographs.

Samarès Manor
This beautiful historic house is set in splendid gardens and grounds. There are craft demonstrations and children’s attractions too.

Top Tip

Head west along the St Aubin's Bay coast road from St Helier to the pedestrian crossing just before Beaumont (next to the small car park by the main road). This is the start of the walk.

It goes to the right of Goose Green Marsh, taking you north along a gravel path for about 10 or 15 minutes into St Peter’s Valley.

Now you have options.

At Tesson Mill head left up St Peter’s Valley past the working watermill of Le Moulin de Quétivel, before walking through the lanes to The Living Legend and possibly on to Jersey Goldsmiths further north.

Alternatively, take a right up La Rue des Prés Sorsoleil (B89) onto the Jersey War Tunnels and on up to Hamptonne, a country life museum.

Signposting

Download the following self-guided walks from or collect copies from Jersey Tourism’s Visitor Centre when you arrive:

St Lawrence Millennium Walk, Waterworks Valley
St Lawrence Parish Walk
St Peter Parish Walk
St Saviour Parish Walk
Jersey Flag Walk, all four routes
Heritage Walks – Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Heritage Walks – La Hougue Bie
Heritage Walks – Samarès Manor
Pub Walk – Victorian Connections
Food Trail – Classic Cattle, Classy Wines
Food Trail – Water, Water Everywhere

See also: St Lawrence Heritage Walk - www.nationaltrustjersey.org.je

Jersey Tourism sells publications with detailed circular and linear routes of varying lengths. The following guides contain walks around Jersey's inland areas:

Reservoirs

Val de la Mare reservoir is in St Peter and St Ouen. It's open to the public and the picturesque 2.8 mile (4.5km) route around the reservoir is popular with walkers.

Queen's Valley is Jersey's biggest reservoir holding up to 260 million gallons of water. Today it is enjoyed by walkers and by freshwater fishermen. There are several walking routes around the reservoir, the full circuit is 1.9 miles (3.1km).

La Maseline Reservoir is in St Catherine's woodland, also know as Rozel Woods. The best vantage-point to enjoy this pretty woodland is from the small reservoir. Not only are waterfowl present, moorhen in particular, but strikingly colourful dragonflies and damselflies constantly patrol the water during late summer.

Reservoirs in Waterworks Valley
The three reservoirs here – Millbrook, Dannemarche and Handois – can be seen as part of the St Lawrence Millennium Walk.