Things to do

Jersey Zoo, founded by the world famous naturalist Gerald Durrell, is one of the island's premier attractions. Founded in the 1950's the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust broke new ground in the conservation of endangered species. It was recently renamed the Gerald Durrell Conservation Trust after the death of its founder. The zoo is our convention charity. Con Chairman, Martin Hoare, has adopted Columbia, one of the zoo's ring tailed coatis.

Mont Orgueil Castle, a magnificent 13th Century fortification, was built by English forces to defend the island against the French. It is one of the best preserved castles in Britain.

The Jersey Museum and Jersey Maritime Museum are both located in St. Helier. See the Jersey Heritage Trust for details.

Take a DUKW tour to an Elizabethan Castle - Elizabeth Castle was built in the reign of Elizabeth I and was named after her. More recently it was re-fortified by the Germans in WWII. It is on a small island and can be reached by a zig-zag path at low tide. At other times amphibious craft will take you there.

Go to France for Lunch - Although Jersey belongs to the British Crown it is in sight of France. Fast ferries will take you to the historic walled city of St. Malo on the Brittany coast.

Have dinner in one of Jersey's many excellent restaurants - Jersey prides itself on the variety and quality of the food available on the island. Perhaps the influence of nearby France and its links with Portugal have helped.

Party in the Hotel de France - The Hotel de France is one of the top hotels on Jersey. It has a commanding view of the island's capital, St Helier (pop 27,523). The 19th century building has been refurbished and extended making it one of the best convention hotels in the Europe.

See the North, South, East and West coasts in two hours - You can drive round the perimeter of this pretty island in two hours. It is only nine by five miles.

See Hitler's Atlantic Wall fortifications - The Channel Islands were occupied by the Germans in WWII. They were the most heavily fortified part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall defences. Most of it is still intact.

Visit the German Underground Hospital - During the occupation the Germans tunnelled into a small mountain and built an underground hospital. It is now a museum of the occupation.

Visit a Neolithic village - There were people living at Hougue Bie in 3500 BC. The site contains archaeological finds and reconstructions.

And last but by no means least...

Visit the hotel's resident chocolate maker - Andrew Parker hand makes chocolates in the hotel. There will be tours to see him in action. For more information click here.

Getting there | Things to Do | Eating | Drinking | Chocolate | Getting About