Published 17 March 2026
Jersey is an island steeped in thousands of years of history – from Neolithic burial chambers and medieval castles to smugglers’ coves and wartime bunkers. It should come as no surprise, then, that some of the island’s most atmospheric places to eat and drink carry centuries of stories within their granite walls. Whether you’re after a sun-drenched harbourside terrace, a roaring log fire in a converted watermill, or a bar named after a fallen war hero, Jersey’s historic pub scene is as rich and layered as the island itself.
Pull up a stool, raise a glass of locally brewed Liberation Ale and discover five of Jersey’s most historic pubs.
1. The Old Smugglers Inn: Ouaisné Bay
Tucked into the sheltered curve of Ouaisné Bay in the parish of St. Brelade, The Old Smugglers Inn is one of Jersey’s most storied and atmospheric watering holes. Originally two fishermen’s cottages dating back to the 13th century, the inn has evolved over the centuries, preserving its rustic charm with original granite work, beams and fireplaces.
The parish of St. Brelade was once a notorious haven for buccaneers and the inn dates back to a time when pirates coming into the bay enjoyed an ale or two here – making it one of the most evocative smugglers’ haunts in the Channel Islands.
As if the swashbuckling history weren’t enough, the inn is also said to be home to a resident ghost – a mysterious figure of a woman in a black dress, who wanders the inn before vanishing, leaving patrons bewildered. Today, log fires, local real ales and freshly caught seafood make this a beloved port of call for visitors and islanders alike. Some things, it seems, never change.
Sources: Oldsmugglersinn, WhatPub, Spooky Isles
The Old Smugglers Inn, Ouaisné Bay
2. The Old Court House : St. Aubin’s Village
Perched on the edge of St. Aubin’s picturesque harbour, The Old Court House Inn is one of Jersey’s most captivating historic buildings – and one with considerably more secrets than most. The property is actually two buildings in one – the front was originally a wealthy merchant’s home, its vast cellars used to store both legitimate harbour goods and the rather less legitimate plunder of Jersey’s licensed privateers. The rear is the original court house, with the oldest parts dating back to 1450.
Explore the building and the stories reveal themselves. The Granite Newel Staircase, found just off the Garden Restaurant, was built with a right-hand thread – deliberately designed to give defenders the upper hand over any attacker. In the Garden Restaurant, look closely at the fireplace and you’ll spot the initials P.S. 1611, left by restorer Pierre Seale. Head downstairs to the Granite Bar and you’ll find a second carving from 1648 bearing the same initials – this time with the ‘S’ the correct way around. Whether Pierre finally learned his letters, or whether a son made the later mark, is a mystery that nobody has ever quite solved.
The Garden Restaurant was once the Prize Court Room, where Admiralty judges presided over the dividing of plunder from ships sailing to and from the New World – the loot hauled up from the very cellars below your feet. The bar was crafted from one of the tenders of the famous racing yacht Westward, and the original well – 27 feet deep – is still set into the floor, its deeds insisting the Master of Ships must always retain the right to draw water from it.
Sources: Liberation Group
Fans of Bergerac will recognise the magnificent ship’s window at the front of the restaurant, which appeared in the classic series as ‘The Royal Barge.’ The reimagined Bergerac, starring Damien Molony as Jim Bergerac, returned to film here for Season 2 – coming soon! History, drama and a very good meal – The Old Court House delivers all three.
3. The Peirson: St. Helier
Standing in the corner of St. Helier’s historic Royal Square, The Peirson is a pub with a story written in the very stones around it. On 06 January 1781, a French force led by Baron de Rullecourt landed at La Rocque Harbour before dawn and made their way through the country lanes to St. Helier, seizing the Court House and capturing the island’s Lieutenant Governor, still in his nightshirt, before the town had barely woken. What followed was one of the most dramatic mornings in Jersey’s history.
Major Francis Peirson, just 24 years old, refused to accept the surrender and led his troops into the Royal Square. He was struck by a bullet in the moment of victory and carried to a house on the corner – now a shop – where he died. De Rullecourt, cut down in the same exchange, was carried to a house on the east side of the square where he died six hours later.
The Battle of Jersey was over almost as quickly as it had begun – and Jersey stayed British. The whole extraordinary episode was immortalised in a sweeping canvas by artist John Singleton Copley, now held in the Tate collection. Order a pint, find a table outside in the square and raise a glass to the young major who held the line.
Sources: Jersey Heritage
The Peirson in the Royal Square, St. Helier
4. The Forester Arms (Cheffins): St. Peter
If any pub in Jersey can claim the title of the island’s oldest, it’s The Foresters Arms (now Cheffins at The Beaumont Inn) – a grade four listed building on La Route de la Haule in the parish of St. Peter, believed to have held a pub license since around 1717.
At the time it first started serving ale, it was reportedly the only building in the surrounding area. The building carries a wonderfully quirky piece of island folklore too – it’s said that a Constable of St. Helier, growing weary of the fighting that broke out between eastern and western parishioners on market days in the Royal Square, decreed that anyone travelling into town from the western parishes must leave their weapons – knives, swords and guns included – at The Forester Arms on their way in. It may well be how the pub earned its ‘Arms’.
Restored and reopened in 2017 as Cheffins at The Beaumont Inn, the building retains much of its original character – including a fireplace dating back to the 1700s – alongside a menu celebrating the very best of Jersey’s seasonal larder. Thought by many to be the only thatched pub on the island, it’s a genuinely one-of-a-kind place to raise a glass.
Sources: Cheffins at The Beaumont Inn | Jersey Evening Post
Cheffins at The Beaumont Inn
5. Le Moulin de Lecq: Grève de Lecq
Nestled in woodland valley above the beach at Grève de Lecq on Jersey’s north-west coast, Le Moulin de Lecq is one of the island’s most enchanting historic landmarks. A working mill in some form since the medieval period, the building has parts thought to date back to the 12th century – making it among the oldest structures in regular use anywhere in Jersey.
Originally a fuller’s mill, it continued to grind grain until the early 20th century, after which the site fell quiet. The mill’s most striking feature is its enormous outdoor waterwheel – weighing 18 tons and spanning 21 feet in diameter – which still turns today under the weight of water, just as it has for centuries.
Step inside the bar and you’ll find the mill’s original cog wheels and gearing mechanisms built into the very fabric of the room, a truly unique experience.
During the World War II, Nazi occupiers requisitioned the wheel to generate electricity for their coastal searchlight batteries – a sobering chapter in an otherwise deeply characterful history.
Converted into a pub and registered as a historic landmark, Le Moulin de Lecq now draws visitors year-round with its roaring log fire, generous helpings of hearty food and a fine selection of real ales.
Sources: Le Moulin de Lecq | WhatPub
Discover our island’s history
Jersey’s historic pubs are just the beginning. The island is home to over six millennia of history, and there’s no better way to bring it to life than with a guided tour. Whether you’re after a leisurely walk through St. Helier’s storied streets or a dramatic exploration of the island’s wartime past, Jersey’s expert guides know every corner of the island’s remarkable history.
WW2 Bunkers at Night
Jersey War Tours
See Jersey's military heritage in a new light and help support a non-profit organisation! Evening tours of bunkers offer an unforgettable atmosphere when exploring. We will visit sites not open to the public and often use a 4x4. Become a temporary team member and see how Jersey became an impregnable fortress!
Apr 11 2026 ‐ Dec 31 2026
St. Helier Uncovered
Jersey Uncovered
Step into the story of Jersey’s capital with a Jersey Uncovered Blue Badge Guide and explore St. Helier through the lens of its architecture, culture and centuries of commerce. This gently paced, private walking tour invites you to discover how a modest fishing town grew into a thriving island centre, all while retaining its distinctive character.
Apr 11 2026 ‐ Dec 31 2026
Discover St. Helier!
St. Helier Walks
Step into St Helier’s past EVERY SUNDAY morning with our knowledgeable guides. Discover fascinating stories, iconic landmarks, and local culture on a guided walking tour that begins and ends at Liberation Square. Book ahead on Eventbrite or simply turn up and pay on the day (cash only).
Apr 12 2026 ‐ Dec 27 2026
Longhouse Tour and Fire Lighting at La Hougue Bie
Learn about the Neolithic Longhouse at La Hougue Bie and watch one of our volunteers light a fire using authentic techniques. Every Tuesday, a member of the volunteer team lights a fire in the Longhouse using authentic techniques. This adds warmth to the building but also stops any insect infestation in the traditional straw roof. During your visit, the volunteer will also talk about the traditional methods used and the lessons learned during the build.
Apr 14 2026 ‐ Dec 29 2026
Gorey Ghost Walk
Stroll in Jersey
Step into the shadows and uncover the eerie secrets of Jersey’s most haunted historic sites. As the moon rises over Gorey, our expert storyteller will guide you through cobbled streets and centuries-old landmarks, sharing chilling tales of restless spirits, ghostly sightings, and dark deeds that linger in the island’s memory.
Apr 17 2026
Pirates, Smuggling, Religion & Privateering
Step back in time on a guided walk through the historic port village of St Aubin, once Jersey’s principal harbour and a place shaped by the sea, secrecy, and survival. Its narrow streets and harbour-side hide tales of pirates, smugglers, religion and the bold exploits of royal-sanctioned privateers who blurred the line between hero and outlaw. Was this ever a sleepy port? As we wander through the old fishing village, you can decide for yourself.
Apr 17 2026 ‐ Sep 25 2026
St. Lawrence Ghost Walk
Stroll in Jersey
Get ready to explore the haunted lanes of St. Lawrence with our expert guide. Learn about the chilling tales and ghostly legends that lurk in the shadows. This is a perfect opportunity to experience the supernatural side of the Parish! Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the paranormal activity in the area. Grab your friends and family for a night of chills and thrills!
Apr 24 2026
Trinity Folklore Walk
Stroll in Jersey
Wander with us through the charming lanes and winding green paths of Trinity, Jersey, on a leisurely walk where history whispers and legends linger. As we stroll, you’ll uncover the island’s rich folklore – from curious local superstitions to captivating tales passed down through generations.
May 01 2026
St. Helier – Occupation to Liberation Tour
You will be led on an adventure through time with Blue Badge Guide, Martin Walton a specialist in military tours from Napoleonic to WW2 and German Occupation of Jersey during WW2. You will visit sites around St. Helier's Harbour with poignant reminders of events from both the Occupation and Liberation of the island and hear what really happened during those fateful days.
May 03 2026 ‐ May 31 2026
