The west of the island is wonderfully wild and rugged, with inspiring natural landscapes, sweet surf spots and casual beachside eateries serving up the finest local fare. This one day bus itinerary, departing from Liberation Station in St. Helier, will take you to the National Trust for Jersey site of Les Mont Grantez (home to an ancient dolmen!) down into St. Ouen’s Bay where you can take your pick from a host of fabulous restaurants with stunning sea views or try your hand at spot of surfing. En route back to St. Helier, finish the day with a sundowner at Corbiere Phare overlooking our iconic lighthouse.
This part of the island is well-served with bus routes, although they may not run quite as regularly as other areas. If you’re planning to use buses as your primary mode of transport whilst visiting the island, it’s worth checking out Liberty Bus’ ‘Discover Jersey’ passes, which offer great value one, two, three and seven day passes, allowing you the freedom to hop on and off as many buses as you like. Reduced services may operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays, so make sure to check the Liberty Bus timetable before you travel.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your pass and get exploring…
Highlights
- Start the day with a wonderful walk, exploring the headland and ancient passage-grave at Les Mont Grantez, a National Trust for Jersey site.
- Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head down into St. Ouen’s Bay where you can tuck into a feast of local seafood at Faulkner Fisheries or take your pick from one of the other fabulous beachside eateries.
- For the adventurous, have a go at surfing with a qualified instructor, or hire a board and play around in the smaller waves.
- En route back to St. Helier, stop for a sundowner at Corbiere Phare, looking out towards the island’s famous lighthouse.
Liberation Station to Grantez headland.
This morning, you’ll be heading north-west to explore Grantez headland, a beautiful National Trust for Jersey site that is also home to an ancient dolmen. Before you set off, there are plenty of opportunities to grab a quick coffee and croissant in St. Helier.
1. But first, coffee.
It’s going to be an active morning of walking and exploring, so if you’re up and about reasonably early, you might like to grab a coffee and a pastry in St. Helier before you set off on your first bus. Bean Around The World is a local institution whilst The Yard, based at the Jersey Museum and just a stone’s throw from Liberation bus station, is a fairly recent addition to the Jersey coffee scene, serving up creative brunch dishes and great coffee. Or if you’re running a little late, why not grab a coffee and some light bites from Café Ubé, located directly in Liberation Bus Station.
2. Grantez headland and ancient passage-grave.
From Liberation Station, jump on the number 8 or 22 bus heading west. If you’re on the number 8, get off at Woodbine Corner and walk from here to Mont Grantez (about 15 minutes). If you’re on the number 22, alight at Chemin du Moulin North and walk from here (about 12 minutes).
The open landscape at Grantez is a stunning area of natural beauty to explore, with walks aplenty. The area consists of six National Trust for Jersey sites in total, boasting sweeping views out over St. Ouen’s Bay. Mostly covered with maritime grass heathland, this site provides valuable habitat for the Green Lizard as well as for Kestrels and Sparrowhawks. The site is also home to an ancient passage grave dating back to around 4000-3250 BC. It is known as ‘Lé Cuex ès Faît’tchieaux’ due to the belief that it had been built by fairies or dwarfs. The dolmen is owned and maintained by the Société Jersiaise who excavated it in 1912.
Grantez headland to Faulkner Fisheries / St. Ouen's Bay.
Once you’ve soaked up all the gorgeousness of the Grantez headland, you might be starting to feel a little peckish. For those who don’t mind some extra steps, it’s possible to walk down from Grantez to Faulkner Fisheries (about 30 minutes), a former WW2 bunker where you can now tuck into a feast of locally caught seafood, cooked on the barbecue (summer only). The number 22 bus also runs this way if you’re not feeling so energetic (get on at Chemin de Moulin North).
If you’re visiting at a time when Faulkner Fisheries isn’t open, fear not! There are plenty of other opportunities for fun, food and frolics down in St. Ouen’s Bay, all on the number 22 bus route!
Please note, Faulkner’s is closed from October to April; but worry not, there is so much more to offer out west – just keep scrolling.
1. Locally caught and cooked fish and seafood.
If you’re planning to take the number 22 bus from Grantez down to Faulkner Fisheries, make sure to plan ahead as this bus only runs every 60 minutes. Just remember: the last bus leaves L’Étacq at 7:18pm Monday to Friday and 7:09pm Saturday to Sunday.
Get off the bus at L’Étacq and you’re just one minute away from Faulkner’s. Faulkner Fisheries is a Jersey institution that, if we’re being honest, locals would probably rather keep secret 😉 Family owned and run, the Faulkner family know a thing or two about good seafood. Either buy your own seafood to cook at home from the knowledgeable vivier or tuck into beautiful, freshly cooked seafood with buttery Jersey Royal Potatoes. Soak up the breathtaking views over St. Ouen’s Bay with a glass of local wine or local beer.
2. Play down in the bay
St. Ouen’s Bay is a surfer’s paradise, with the five mile stretch of beach serving up one of the best breaks on the island. But even if you’re not inclined to have a go yourself, there is plenty to enjoy down in the bay. The number 22 bus runs along the whole bay, so jump on from Mont Grantez or Faulkner Fisheries (if you’ve made a stop there) and hop off at any one of the brilliant bars, restaurants or surf spots along the way.
The Watersplash is the ultimate post-surf hangout, with wraps, burgers and curly fries aplenty flying out the kitchen. El Tico, Le Braye, Sands, Staks serve up a slightly more refined beachside offering, whilst maintaining that casual, beachy vibe we all love. In terms of surf hire or lessons, there is lots to choose from including Laneez, Little Joe’s, Jersey Surf School, The Surf Yard and Splash Surf Centre. For accessible surfing and ocean therapy, check out Healing Waves (best to get in touch before you come) for a truly remarkable experience. Other accessible experiences can be found HERE.
If you’re more of a land dweller, Roccos Activity Centre offer three unique themed crazy golf courses to keep the big kids (and the little ones!) happy. For history or nature lovers, pop into the Channel Islands Military Museum or the National Trust for Jersey Wetland Centre. And for the retail revellers, Jersey Pearl is located towards the north end of St. Ouen’s Bay, offering an array of locally-made jewellery and bespoke experiences.
St. Ouen's Bay to Liberation Station (via Corbiere Phare).
Once you’vee had your fill of western adventure, then you can start to make your way back towards St. Helier. If you fancy a stop on the way home to take in some more of the islands’ cracking coastal vistas, then there’s the option to stop off at Corbiere Phare for a sundowner overlooking La Corbière Lighthouse. You’re back on the number 22 and, as always, remember to check the schedule as this bus only runs every 60 minutes.
Corbiere Phare.
When it comes to places to take in a sunset, it doesn’t get much better than Corbière Phare. This casual bar / restaurant has enviable views out towards our iconic Corbière Lighthouse and is the perfect spot to sink a cold drink and reflect on your day’s adventures.
Once you’re ready to head home, you can either jump back on the 22 bus (again!) or the 12A also leaves from here to head back to Liberation Station.
If you’re heading out there earlier in the day, be sure to stop off and see Mark in his famous Jersey Dairy Ice-cream hut, offering up some tasty treats to accompany the breaktaking views over the bay and beyond.
