If you’re looking for a festive escape that wraps up fabulous shopping, delicious food and drink and a healthy dose of the glorious, great outdoors, then a Christmas break in Jersey could be just the ticket. We’ve proposed a Thursday arrival for this itinerary to align with St. Helier’s late night Christmas shopping hours, but if you decide to touch down on another day, just pick and choose what you get up to from our other suggestions.
Highlights
- Get your Christmas shopping sorted the old fashioned way – on Jersey’s bustling high street!
- Pick up some stocking fillers from local makers and craftspeople at Simply Christmas, or explore our iconic Victorian Market.
- Indulge in some fabulous festive feasting in St. Helier or St. Aubin’s lively bars and restaurants, or cosy up by the fire in a seaside pub.
- Blow away the winter cobwebs with an invigorating walk or, for the brave, a bracing sea swim…
- Indulge in a spa afternoon, letting your troubles melt away.
Touch down and hit the town.
It’s Christmas time, so why not kick off the long weekend on Thursday? Touch down on the island in the afternoon, settle into your accommodation and then make a beeline for the twinkling town of St. Helier, decked out in its full festive finery and open for late night shopping from 16 November (the same night as the Christmas light switch-on takes place in St. Helier) until Christmas. As the shops close, settle in for an evening of festive feasting at one of St. Helier’s fabulous restaurants.
1. The shops of King Street and St. Helier town centre.
St. Helier is our lively market town that shines especially brightly at Christmas time. With the string lights hung along King Street and beyond, late night shopping in Jersey is a real delight. With independent shops rubbing shoulders with high street favourites, locally owned department stores, all within our compact town centre. Getting your Christmas shopping done in Jersey is a real joy.
2. Take a bite of our festive market town.
After the shops close their doors at around 8pm we’re sure you’ll be ready to pull up a seat at one of St. Helier’s many warm and welcoming restaurants, ready to welcome hungry shoppers with festive feasts and tasty tipples. You can’t go wrong with a comforting Italian for those cosy winter vibes. Just a few of our favourites include Pizzeria Romana, Pizzeria Famosa and Café Ristorante Italia. For hearty, home-cooked style food we adore Upstairs at Anley Street. For casual but utterly delicious pan-Asian cuisine, head to Awabi. For that extra special Christmas treat, consider the likes of Banjo, Samphire and Pêtchi. At Christmas time, especially, it’s worth booking ahead if you plan to eat out on the island.
Work up an appetite.
This morning, wrap up warm and head to the north-eastern corner of the island to experience the incredible beauty of Jersey’s coastal paths. Walking the undulating cliff path from Bouley Bay to Rozel Harbour is a real treat, with views over to our neighbours in France on a clear day. When you reach Rozel, stop off at the Hungry Man Kiosk for a bacon buttie and one of their legendary hot chocolates, or settle in for a leisurely lunch by the fire at the cosy Rozel pub. Later on, check out one of St. Helier’s wine bars or secret speakeasys, for a relaxed, refined evening.
1. Bouley Bay to Rozel coastal walk.
Park your car at Bouley Bay or hop on the bus from town and walk down the hill into the bay (about 17 minutes). With Bouley Bay as your starting point, head east along the coastal path, following signs to Rozel. The walk takes around an hour and a half in total, so make sure to bring along some water and a few snacks for the journey. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the island’s coastline, with breathtaking views around nearly every corner you turn.
2. Refuel at The Hungry Man or The Rozel Pub.
The Hungry Man kiosk is a local institution, sitting on the edge of picturesque Rozel Harbour. Open pretty much every day of the year (although worth checking their Facebook page before you go, just to make sure) this is the spot to grab a bacon buttie and one of the legendary Hungry Man hot chocolates which, naturally, come with a generous serving of cream and marshmallows – the perfect post-walk fare. Find a bench seat and tuck in whilst you watch the harbour activity. Alternatively, cosy up at the Rozel Pub where you’ll find a warm welcome, a roaring fire and hearty food. If you parked a car at Bouley Bay, you can either walk back along the coastal path (one for the seasoned walkers!) or pre-order a taxi to drop you there.
3. The wine bars and speakeasys of St. Helier.
After you’ve had a few hours to rest up after today’s walk, you might like to venture out in search of a cosy spot to while away the evening. For creative cocktails in a speakeasy setting, The Porter’s Store and The Blind Pig are both firm favourites. Botana serves up Spanish style tapas that’s perfect if you’re in the mood to try a few different things. For the wine lovers, head to The Watchmaker or Vinifera. At both, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of wine along with cheese or charcuterie platters which provide the perfect accompaniment.
Brunch, browse and relax.
This morning, head back into town for a leisurely bite to eat at one of St. Helier’s many brunch hotspots. When you’ve had your fill of goodness, wander along to the Royal Square in the heart of St. Helier to the Genuine Jersey Simply Christmas market. Here, chat to the makers and pick up locally crafted stocking fillers to take home with you. Come the afternoon, head to one of Jersey’s spas and indulge in a blissful afternoon of rest and relaxation. Later on, head to one of Jersey’s seaside villages for a jolly festive supper.
1. Brunch, brunch baby.
Good coffee, perfectly cooked eggs, the happy hum of friends and family getting together to enjoy a leisurely breakfast together – it all makes for a pretty perfect Saturday morning. And there are plenty of options in St. Helier to do just that. We adore La Bouche in the Central Market. With its quirky décor and rotating menu of fun and creative brunch dishes, a Saturday morning brunch here is hard to beat. That said, there’s some very strong competition from the likes of Locke’s, The Yard, and Brasserie Colmar who all have something a little bit different to offer.
2. Make merry at the market.
If you’re visiting between the 25 November – 06 December, then we’d highly reccommend a visit to the Genuine Jersey Simply Christmas Market. The island’s Royal Square is transformed into a vibrant and colourful hub with live music and over 50 stalls showcasing Jersey’s finest artisans and local food and drink. Pick up some stocking fillers for loved ones and chat to the friendly stall holders. The Norman-French Market also arrives between the 04 – 10 December at Weighbridge Place. With traders selling crepes to cider, saucisson to soap, come and say ‘bonjour’ and ‘Joyeux Noel’ at this French festive feast for the senses. If you don’t happen to be here across any of these dates, simply head to the island’s Victorian Central Market, home to cheerful traders and shop-owners who are full of festive cheer.
3. Relax and unwind.
Jersey has an array of luxury spa hotels to choose from. From cosy, historic retreats like the Cottage Garden Spa at Longueville Manor, city-chic hideouts like Spa Sirene at The Royal Yacht and the Ayush Wellness Spa at at the Hotel de France to seaside escape at the L’Horizon and St. Brelade’s Bay Hotel, a spa afternoon at one of these zen-like spas will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. After your treatment, make use of the spa facilities including saunas, steam rooms and more.
4. Oh we do like to supper by the seaside.
The island’s seaside villages always have a jolly feel to them in the holiday season with groups of friends and family out enjoying festive get-togethers and the bustling restaurants and bars. In Gorey, you’ve got some fantastic dinner options including the recently refurbished Moorings, Feast and Bass and Lobster. For a real taste of local life, head to the Dolphin Bar for a night cap after dinner. There’s an even bigger selection in St. Aubin, with local hotspots like the Salty Dog, The Boat House and The Old Courthouse all providing warm hospitality and delicious food over the festive period. As always, make sure to book ahead as places will get busy.
Brunch and beachin'.
It’s your last day on island, so finish on a high with a visit to two of our island’s most popular – and arguably most beautiful – beaches; St. Brelade and Ouaisné. Stop by The Beach Club in St. Brelade’s for a spot of brunch or early lunch and then (for the brave!) take a bracing dip in our winter waters. For the slightly less brave, consider a walk along the beach or headland, finishing with a cosy drink at the Smugglers Inn at Ouaisné.
The Beach Club and The Old Smugglers Inn.
The Beach Club sits on a prime spot right on the edge of the golden sands of St. Brelade’s Bay. Stop in for some brunch or an early lunch, taking in the stunning views across the bay and out to sea. If you’re a seasoned sea swimmer, St. Brelade’s Bay is a wonderful spot for an invigorating winter’s dip. If you prefer winter activities that are less… well, wet, then take a walk along the headland (or across the bay if the tide is low enough) to Ouaisné Bay. The Old Smugglers Inn, dating back to the days when the bay echoed with the sound of pirates singing as they brought their ill-gotten gains to shore, is the perfect spot for a cosy pint or cuppa by the fire. From St. Brelade’s or Ouaisne it’s an easy drive back to the airport to catch your afternoon or early evening flight.
