Exploring Jersey
A four day Apprentice-inspired itinerary
On your marks, get set…. GO! Follow in the footsteps of this season’s Apprentice cast, who were sent on a high octane treasure hunt around the island in search of all kinds of uniquely Jersey items. From 30 kilograms of Jersey Royals to a seven foot surf board, apple cider brandy to a traditional Jersey ‘bachîn,’ used for making our delicious black butter, there was no corner of the island left undiscovered on this exciting challenge.
Setting off from Mont Orgueil Castle in the east of the island and finishing with a thrilling race out to our iconic La Corbière Lighthouse in the west of the island, be inspired by all that the competitors got up to on their island adventure.
Highlights
- Experience the island’s eclectic east coast with an outdoor sauna session and sea dip. Indulge in local flavours like our famous Jersey Wonders and fresh-as-they-come oysters, washed clean by some of Europe’s biggest tides.
- Hop on an electric EVie bike and step back in time at Hamptonne Country Life Museum. Venture onwards to La Mare Estate for a Tasting and Distillery Tour, followed by a trip to natural beauty spot Devil’s Hole, where you’ll also find local glass blower Marc McCarthy.
- Get active with Aerial Trekking at Valley Adventure followed by lunch at Faulkner Fisheries. Finish the day with a surf and sundowner in St. Ouen’s Bay.
- Round off your island adventure with a hearty breakfast at The Good Egg followed by an aquatic excursion with Stowaway Sailing, topped off with a fabulous dinner at The Anchor Club in St. Aubin’s village.
Wonders, Jersey jumpers and freshly shucked oysters.
The Apprentice Teams were tasked with collecting 24 fresh Jersey Wonders, a Jersey pullover with an anchor motif and a dozen freshly shucked oysters. Today’s itinerary draws inspiration from these items, taking you out to the island’s east coast where seaside charm, local flavours and retail therapy combine to create the perfect first day to your island adventure.
1. The Sauna Society and The Breakwater Café at St. Catherine's Bay.
Travel sustainably and hop aboard either the #1 or #2 bus and head out east to St. Catherine’s. Start the day with an invigorating sea swim in the harbour, then spend a rejuvenating hour in an idyllic woodfired outdoor sauna, overlooking St. Catherine’s Bay. Finish your wholesome morning with a visit to local institute The Breakwater Cafe, tucking into one (or more!) of their famed Jersey Wonders and a cup of something warm.
2. Gorey Harbour and Mont Orgueil Castle.
From St. Catherine’s Bay, head around the coast to picturesque Gorey Harbour, where you’ll find a colourful collection of shops, pubs and restaurants that give this seaside village its charming feel. If, like The Apprentice cast, you’re on the hunt for an authentic Jersey jumper, pop into the Old Sail Loft Boutique for a browse. Stop for a drink or a bite to eat at The Moorings, the Seahorse Coffee Co or The Dolphin and then soak up some of the island’s unique culture as you explore the ancient passageways of Mont Orgueil Castle, where The Apprentice contestants received their morning briefing.
3. Oyster tour and The Seymour Pub.
Round off the day by hugging the southeast coast and head to Seymour slipway where you can embark on a guided Oyster Trail with Jersey Walk Adventures. Discover the history behind one of our ‘big four’ (which also includes lobster, Dairy and Jersey Royals) before sampling some of the island’s finest at The Seymour Pub – washing it down with a locally brewed Liberation Ale.
A bachîn, brandy and hand blown glass.
The contestants were sent on a hunt to find a bachîn (more on that later) along with some apple cider brandy and a hand blown sea salt glass jar. So, today we take you to Jersey’s rural heart, where these uniquely Jersey items inspire today’s adventure.
1. Hamptonne Country Life Museum.
If you’re feeling adventurous, pick up an electric EVie bike and head north from St. Helier, Jersey’s bustling market town, to rural Jersey at Hamptonne Country Life Museum. Explore the vast fifteenth century farmstead with a traditional cider barn, or pressoir, and learn of the island’s rich cider history. See if you can spot the traditional bachîn here too, most well known for being used to made Jersey’s famous black butter chutney. With guided tours and Living History reanactments taking place throughout the year, this Jersey Heritage site is a must-visit for all history enthusiasts.
2. La Mare Wine Estate.
Not far from Hamptonne is La Mare Wine Estate, the most southernly vineyard in the British Isles. Aside from their wine-making, this idyllic country spot is also home to a distillery which produced Royal Pink Gin, Royal Vodka and Jersey Apple Brandy (which The Apprentice lot were on the look out for!) Book onto their Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour or have a go at Chocolate Making with the in-house chocolatier. If you’re feeling peckish, the Vinyard Café is a gorgeous spot for some lunch overlooking the vines.
3. Devil's Hole.
Venture up to Devil’s Hole on the northern tip of the island where you’ll find Marc McCarty, the Channel Islands’ only glass blower, offering guests the chance to experience this ancient art up close, it’s a completely unique experience. If you have the time, it’s worth making the short walk up to the coastal path where you can view Devil’s Hole itself, an impressive and strangely eerie blowhole that has been eroded into Jersey’s coastline over the millennia. With the Priory Inn just next door to Marc’s studio, pop in for a bite to eat here or head to the St. Mary’s Country Inn which offers great food and a cosy atmosphere.
A shackle, Jersey Royals and a seven foot surf board.
It’s an eclectic mixture of items on The Apprentice Scavenger Hunt menu today including a shackle, 30kg of our famous Jersey Royal Potatoes and a seven foot foam surfboard. We’ll be heading to the wonderfully wild west of the island to tick these ones off, taking you for highline tree walks at Valley Adventure, a seafood lunch and a sundowner overlooking beautiful St. Ouen’s Bay (sunset surf optional!)
1. Valley Adventure.
Shackle up and get airborne on the Giant King Swing and 150m Zipwire or Aerial Trekking and Abseiling Walls at Valley Adventure Centre. This is a great morning of fun and adventure for big and little kids alike!
2. Faulkner Fisheries.
Head to Faulkner’s Fisheries for a true taste of Jersey with their famous Seafood BBQ served with buttery Jersey Royals potatoes overlooking the picturesque bay of St. Ouen. It doesn’t get much better than that! (As this is very much an outdoor venue, Faulkner operates during the warmer months when the weather is fine).
3. Jersey Surf School and El Tico.
After a leisurely lunch, it’s time to take to the coast and start burning off those tasty calories at Jersey Surf School, the island’s longest running surf and lifesaving school. The ocean experts will take you out, whether you’re a silver surfer or a first-time fumbler, you are guaranteed to have fun in beautiful St. Ouen’s Bay. Round off the night at an island institution and grab a locally brewed sundowner at El Tico.
The final flourish.
Now you’ve followed in the footsteps of The Apprentice cast, on the trail of some uniquely Jersey objects, it’s time to round off your island adventure with some delicious food, fresh sea air and a hearty dose of island history thrown in for good measure.
1. The Good Egg and Elizabeth Castle.
Round off your island adventure with a hearty Full English breakfast from The Good Egg, which serves up hearty, healthy brunch and lunch dishes using local ingredients whenever possible. From here, take a wander around the old marina before stepping back in time at Elizabeth Castle – either take the short ferry or walk across the causeway, depending on tides. Make a bang with the castle’s Master Gunner, experience life of a bygone era with a guided tour or simply get lost exploring an exceptional piece of the island’s history.
2. Stowaway Sailing.
After a short stroll back along the marina to Albert Pier, embark on thalassic adventure with Stowaway Sailing. Learn the art of sailing under the watchful eye of a professional skipper – no experience necessary. This is the perfect opportunity to chill out and float the day away or, for those keen to get hands on – learn how hoist a main sail, make a jibe or handle the halyards. Explore the island’s picturesque south coast before dropping anchor for lunch and a swim in our turquoise seas.
3. The Anchor Club, St. Aubin's Village.
Following an afternoon of crisp sea air along Jersey’s southern coastline, hop off the yacht at St. Aubin as the sun sets and indulge in gourmet cuisine at The Anchor Club overlooking the stunning bay of St. Aubin and beyond.