The island’s rich heritage and exciting history is waiting to be delved into through an astonishing array of wonderful, interactive and living history experiences available in Jersey museums.
Be wowed by state-of-the-art exhibitions or ancient monuments; film galleries or even the fantastic aspiring Jersey Island Geopark, which tells the story of how Jersey has been shaped by tide and time – in a completely new and compelling way.
Feel the wonder and history ingrained in the very walls of medieval castles, gain a unique insight into the rural life of the Jersey centuries ago; or be moved by the story of the island’s occupation and see, hear and even smell the sea as you immerse yourself in the story of Jersey’s seafaring past.
Step back in time and explore Jersey museums.
Jersey War Tunnels
Jersey War Tunnels tells the true story of wartime Jersey in a way that no other visitor attraction does. It’s the best place to get a true picture of what life was really like in Jersey during WWII. The exhibition is housed within an underground tunnel complex, built by the Germans using slave labour.
Jersey Museum, Art Gallery & Victorian House
Discover the story of Jersey for free on the ground floor, watch our Story of Jersey film and take in our permanent display Jersey - 100 Objects. There's more to discover (admission prices apply) at the Museum as you explore Jersey's history from 250,000 years ago when the first people arrived in Jersey and continues through the centuries.
16 New Street Georgian House Museum
16 New Street is a magnificently restored townhouse in the centre of St. Helier where you can explore life in fashionable Jersey during the Georgian era. With authentic sights and sounds, you will be transported to a time of elegance when gentlemen smoked clay pipes and the threat of French invasion was always a hot topic of conversation.
Channel Islands Military Museum
The Channel Islands Military Museum is housed in a German bunker that once formed part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall defences. Within the bunker itself are many rooms full of artefacts both military and civilian that help tell the story of the five long years of German occupation.
Maritime Museum & Occupation Tapestry Gallery
Located by the historic harbour of St. Helier, the Maritime Museum is all about seafaring, navigation and the elements. Also on-site, you'll find the Occupation Tapestry Gallery, an award-winning Occupation Tapestry that was woven by islanders to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the liberation.
Hamptonne Country Life Museum
Explore the different houses which make up Hamptonne, find out more about Jersey's history of cider making in the cider barn and wander through the cider apple orchard and meet the Hamptonne calves, chickens, sheep and piglets in the traditional farmstead and meadow.
La Hougue Bie Museum
A truly memorable experience that is both thought provoking and peaceful. Unlike many other dolmens, you can stand inside its chamber and feel the atmosphere of this profoundly sacred space. The passage grave is one of the ten oldest buildings in the world.
Mont Orgueil Castle
Mont Orgueil Castle, or Gorey Castle, has cast its imposing shadow over the beautiful fishing port of Gorey for more than 800 years. One of the finest examples of a medieval fortress in existence, Mont Orgueil is also a symbol of Jersey’s national identity and independent character.
La Hougue Bie Museum.
Discover one of the oldest buildings in the world.
Discover life in Jersey’s Neolithic community from 6,000 years ago. A medieval chapel sits on top of the prehistoric mound and dolmen dominating this tranquil and spiritual site. Ancient treasures are waiting to be discovered! Why not take a picnic, and give yourself a little more time to spend with friends and family, amongst these beautiful surroundings.
Museums that delve into Jersey’s Occupation story.
Channel Island Military Museum – housed within an eerily atmospheric German bunker which once formed part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defences. Within the walls of the bunker there are many rooms packed full of interesting artefacts both military and civilian, which tell the story of the five long years of German Occupation.
Jersey War Tours – Headquartered at the round tower at Grève de Lecq the team at Jersey War Tours are passionate about telling the island’s wartime tales. With a history that predates the German occupation, the round tower is the only defensive tower built on the north coast. The tower, which was altered substantially during the German occupation, stands approximately 100 metres inland in the centre of the bay. If you’re interested in how the occupation shaped the islands architecture then take a reconnaissance mission to explore bunkers, tunnels and towers on land or by sea.
Jersey War Tunnels – the only place in the island where you will experience the full story of the German Occupation of Jersey. Experience this extraordinary exhibition housed within over 300km of underground tunnels, the best-preserved example of WW2 German engineering in Europe, built entirely by slave workers from nations across Europe. You cannot help but be moved by the true accounts of defiance and deprivation, espionage and escape.
La Hougue Bie – with a name that’s derived from the Old Norse of the Vikings – haugr meaning a mound and byr – that’s bound up with a medieval legend of a dragon and a knight, it’s no surprise that La Hougue Bie is a magical and surprising place. But this site which was home to the Neoliths also tells a tale of more modern-day history. The Command Bunker at La Hougue Bie is a memorial to all the forced workers who had been brought to the Channel Islands from across occupied Europe to work on the military installations.
The Occupation Tapestry – the wonderful piece of textile art which is the Occupation Tapestry was woven by islanders to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation from occupation by the German armed forces. The thirteen richly colourful panels of the stunning tapestry, which is housed within the Maritime Museum, is inspired by memories and stories of islanders who experienced this incredibly difficult time first-hand.
