Discovering Jersey
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Where Land Meets the Atlantic
Tucked in the Bay of St Malo, Jersey is an island defined by the rise and fall of dramatic tides, sunlit granite, and an effortless rhythm of life. Though compact in scale, its landscapes hold millennia of history, from prehistoric coastal shelters to medieval stones weathered by ocean air.
Stepping outside Mont ès Croix Cottage places you in the heart of St Brelade, a serene corner of the island where quiet country lanes wind down to sweeping beaches, ancient woodland, and panoramic ocean headlands.
Island Highlights
St Brelade’s Church & The Fisherman’s Chapel
Just down the hill from the cottage stands the historic Parish Church of St Brelade, set directly against the shore. Beside it rests the early medieval Fisherman’s Chapel, built prior to 1035 upon grounds sacred since the 6th century. Inside, rare surviving medieval frescoes adorn the stone, offering a quiet glimpse into the island's earliest spiritual roots.
Beauport Bay
Tucked beneath dramatic granite cliffs, Beauport Bay is one of Jersey's most cherished coastal secrets. A short ten minute walk from the cottage along rustic cliff paths leads down to a sheltered, golden crescent of sand. Protected from the wind, its turquoise waters are ideal for quiet morning swims and peaceful afternoon sunbathing.
Le Corbière Lighthouse
Guarding the treacherous reefs of Jersey's southwestern tip, Le Corbière Lighthouse rises dramatically from the sea. At low tide, a granite causeway opens to allow visitors to walk across to the lighthouse itself. As evening arrives, the headland becomes a spectacular vantage point for Atlantic sunsets, best enjoyed over a meal at the nearby Corbière Phare restaurant. During summer afternoons, local ice cream vans serve authentic Jersey soft serve in the carpark, though keep an eye out for opportunistic seagulls overhead.
St Brelade’s Bay & La Cotte
A five minute walk downhill leads to the gentle sands of St Brelade’s Bay. Along the promenade, oceanfront cafes, seafood bistros, and small local shops look out across the water, while mid bay outlets offer kayaks and paddleboards for ocean exploration. On the far headland lies La Cotte de St Brelade, one of Europe's most significant Palaeolithic sites where Neanderthals hunted and sheltered over a quarter of a million years ago when Jersey was still joined to continental Europe.
St Ouen’s Bay
Stretching five miles along the island's west coast, St Ouen’s Bay faces the open Atlantic. A paradise for surfers, beachcombers, and nature lovers, this vast, windswept bay is famous for its rolling waves and unhindered horizon. Just two miles from the cottage, its southern end is an ideal destination for evening walks and watching the sun dip into the ocean.
