History & heritage
Jersey Heritage
We are Jersey Heritage, our charity is dedicated to protecting Jersey’s unique culture and heritage.
- Free entry
More Information
We are Jersey Heritage and we’re here to share our island’s fascinating stories and places. We’re here to care for our unique history. We’re here to help you find your place in the story. And we’re here to make sure that these stories keep getting told.
We hold collections of artefacts, works of art, documents, specimens and information relating to Jersey's history, culture and environment. These collections define the island, hold the evidence for its historical development and act as the community's memory.
We look after the following visitor sites; Jersey Museum, Maritime Museum, Mont Orgueil Castle, Elizabeth Castle, La Hougue Bie and Hamptonne. We also manage Jersey Archive.
We are open all year round.
| Monday: | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday: | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday: | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday: | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday: | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday: | closed |
| Sunday: | closed |
- Indoor
- Outdoor
- Family friendly
- Couples
- Wheelchair access
- Hearing loop
Location
Jersey Heritage
Jersey Museum, The Weighbridge
Jersey
St. Helier
JE2 3NG
Offers and events
Geowalk: Prehistory of Jersey’s North Coast
This FREE Geowalk will be led by Dr Josie Mills and will focus on the prehistory of the North coast of Jersey. Josie has been part of an archaeological team who have excavated and studied palaeolithic sites in Jersey since 2010. Her research and current project are centred on La Cotte à la Chèvre.
Apr 16 2023
Geowalk: Jersey’s South West Corner
Join Jersey Heritage for a Geowalk and explore the south west corner of Jersey looking at the impact of invasive species on the landscape. Walk along the scenic cliff paths towards Beauport and then through the country park and back along the leafy Railway Walk. This walk is a maximum of 4 hours and should take around 2 hours 30 minutes.
May 16 2023
Mont Orgueil Castle Tour
Want to find out more about the Castle's history? Take a free tour with one of our volunteer guides.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Dec 31 2023
Hamptonne Country House Museum Tour
Want to find out more about Hamptonne's history? Take a free tour with one of our volunteer guides
Mar 26 2023 ‐ Dec 31 2023
Meet the Regimental Surgeon
Meet Lieutenant Robert Bloodsworth, the Regimental Surgeon's mate of the 95th Regiment of Foot. Could you pass the medical for an 18th century soldier? Join us to see if you have what it takes!
May 02 2023 ‐ Sep 26 2023
Victorian Photographer Experience
Renowned Victorian Photographer CR Kennedy and his good lady wife invite you to the Victorian House at Jersey Museum to sit for a studio photograph. Come in your own Victorian attire, or select an outfit from our wardrobe, and leave with a unique souvenir Carte-de-Visite portrait photograph.
May 19 2023 ‐ Jul 11 2023
1781 Jersey Militia
Prepare yourself for the dramatic return of the 1781 Jersey Militia to Elizabeth Castle. They will transport you back to the colourful life of the Castle in 18th century Jersey. Be entertained by the loud bangs of cannon and musket, and catch an authentic glimpse of the day to day life of a soldier and his family.
Jun 25 2023 ‐ Sep 17 2023
King Charles II
Meet the 'Merry Monarch' for a tour of his Castle and he'll tell you some fascinating stories of his time in Jersey.
Apr 03 2023 ‐ Sep 28 2023
Medieval Companie of the Duke’s Leopards
A vivid window into Medieval life at a Medieval castle! Venture into the 14th century at Mont Orgueil Castle, with the Medieval Companie of the Duke's Leopards. Meet ladies, servants and soldiers who will demonstrate skills including wool spinning, knitting, weaving and leather work.
Jun 18 2023 ‐ Sep 24 2023
Meet the Storyteller at Mont Orgueil Castle
Meet our Castle storyteller, Roger, who can answer all your Jersey questions. Ask him almost anything about the Castle and he will give you all the answers in his own humorous style. Our storyteller Roger is described by TripAdvisor as a living, breathing, walking encyclopaedia of knowledge.
May 03 2023 ‐ Sep 27 2023
Castle Falconer at Mont Orgueil Castle
Meet Jean Simon, the Castle Falconer and his hawk Sovereign. Discover how Jean trains his birds of prey and watch him perform the fascinating skills of falconry, which were important in Tudor life. Learn of a 'hoodwinked' or 'haggard' bird and who is a 'cadger' or a 'boozer'. You'll find Jean and Sovereign awaiting your presence in the Middle Ward.
May 02 2023 ‐ Sep 26 2023
Sir Walter Raleigh at Mont Orgueil Castle
Meet Sir Walter at the Castle as he recounts his adventures at sea as the most famous explorer of the Elizabethan Age.
Mar 26 2023 ‐ Oct 31 2023
Bonnet and Quilt Maker
Set against the backdrop of the late 19th century farm workers' cottage, meet Astra, who will introduce the Jersey bonnet, its history and show you how it is constructed. Astra will also talk on various aspects of patchwork and quilting.
May 05 2023 ‐ Sep 29 2023
Wool Spinners at Hamptonne
Watch the ladies of Hamptonne use the Jersey spindle wheel to create local textile crafts.
Mar 26 2023 ‐ Oct 31 2023
Bouonnefemme at Hamptonne
Meet Rose Le Brun, the Bouonnefemme at Hamptonne, who will let you in on local secrets and village gossip. Rose’s predecessor, Old Maud, had been at Hamptonne for years, but she travelled to St Aubin to see family and never returned. Perhaps the plague got her - they had a lot of it down there.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Oct 31 2023
Laurens Hamptonne
Take a step back in time to find out first-hand about Laurens Hamptonne's extraordinary life. In 1621, when he was just 21 years old, he was appointed Viscount of Jersey. After the English Civil War he was awarded special privileges by King Charles Sercon, before becoming a Jurat in 1651. Come and meet Laurens at Hamptonne on Tuesdays across 2023.
May 02 2023 ‐ Sep 19 2023
Castle Gunner at Elizabeth Castle
Stand to attention for the Midday Parade and prepare yourself for the resounding bang of the signal gun.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Oct 31 2023
Food Glorious Food
Join artists and experts throughout the week who’ll provide you with food for thought, and a full programme of edible fun!
May 29 2023 ‐ Jun 04 2023
Wildlife Warriors
Jersey Heritage challenge you to get closer to nature and take part in our wildlife explorer trails, taking place across Jersey Heritage castles and museums throughout the Easter holidays.
Apr 01 2023 ‐ Apr 16 2023
Meet the Collections – Occupation and Liberation
Join us at the Sir Francis Cook Gallery where we will have material from our archive, artworks and objects from our museum collection on display, connected to this momentous period in our Island’s history.
May 13 2023
Meet the Collections – That’s Entertainment
We'll be exploring local entertainment, from the days when tourism was at its peak and high profile celebrities, bands and entertainers came to Jersey to perform. Join us at the Sir Francis Cook Gallery where we will have material from our archive and objects from our museum collection on display.
Apr 01 2023
La Fête du R’nouvé
Relax under a canopy of trees and be creatively inspired by the beauty and magic of La Hougue Bie at our annual Celebration of Spring Festival. Chill out to a programme of acoustic sounds, enjoy storytelling and poetry, good food and great company in the shadow of one of the oldest buildings in the world.
May 14 2023
Searching for Jersey’s Celts
In 2012, the world's largest Celtic hoard was discovered buried in a field in Jersey. This exhibition explores what might have led people to bury a hoard of 70,000 coins and jewellery in Jersey, 2000 years ago and looks closely at some of the items found within the hoard.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Oct 31 2023
1781: The Battle of Jersey and The Death of Major
This display considers the monumental events of January 1781, when a French invasion force landed in Jersey, through John Singleton Copley's painting - 'The Death of Major Peirson' - and artefacts in the Jersey Heritage Collection.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Dec 31 2023
Discover Crafty Christmas on Discovery Day
Discover the island's best stories with some creative family fun! Our Discovery Day events bring the best of storytelling, arts and crafts, trails and dressing up. Kick off your Christmas with a visit to the Jersey Museum.
Dec 10 2023
Discover Jersey’s Fabulous Food on Discovery Day
Discover the island's best stories with some creative family fun! Our Discovery Day events bring the best of storytelling, arts and crafts, trails and dressing up.
Oct 21 2023
Discover Archaeology on Discovery Day
Discover the island's best stories with some creative family fun! Our Discovery Day events bring the best of storytelling, arts and crafts, trails and dressing up. Come and discover what treasures have been found in Jersey over the years.
Jun 25 2023
Discover Beaches Discovery Day
Discover the island's best stories with some creative family fun! Our Discovery Day events bring the best of storytelling, arts and crafts, trails and dressing up. Come to Le Hocq for our first Discovery Day in partnership with Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark! Find out how Jersey’s landscape changes with the ebb and flow of the tide.
Sep 02 2023
Discover Dragons on Discovery Day
Discover the island's best stories with some creative family fun! Our Discovery Day events bring the best of storytelling, arts and crafts, trails and dressing up. Step back into medieval times and discover dragons and mythical creatures at Mont Orgueil Castle.
Apr 23 2023
Unearthing Le Câtillon II
This is the story of the world’s largest Celtic coin hoard, as part of the research into the search for more information on Jersey’s Celts. When Roman armies marched through Europe 2000 years ago, they left behind a trail of death and destruction which almost wiped out the culture and civilization of the Celtic people who lived there.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Nov 06 2023
Wild Jersey – Land, Sea and Air
Jersey Heritage welcome a new exhibition to a brand new building at Hamptonne Country Life Museum, where you will be exploring biodiversity and wildlife through the art of photography.
Jun 01 2023 ‐ Dec 31 2023
Trade Roots
Thought-provoking, and at times challenging, this exhibition exposes some uncomfortable new stories from Jersey’s past and examines the legacy and impact of transatlantic slavery on the island’s community today.
Mar 25 2023 ‐ Dec 31 2023
