and a pretty fairy garden for children. A world-class orchid-breeding


centre, the Eric Young Orchid Found- ation (www.ericyoungorchidfoundation. co.uk; 01534 861963) can be found in Trinity. A regular gold-medal winner at Chelsea Flower Show, the found- ation has an extensive collection of orchids, including many new hybrids named after Jersey locations. There are orchids in bloom all year round in the large display house.


Summer: the best beaches P


ERCHED on Jersey’s south-western corner is La Corbière lighthouse


(01534 448800; www.jersey.com), the first in the British Isles to be built of reinforced concrete. Admire the spectacular sea views and treat your- self to an ice cream from the van positioned on the cliff top. A short cycle away is Oyster Box


(01534 850888; www.oysterbox.co.uk), a smart seafood restaurant nestled in the heart of the popular St Bré- lade’s Bay. Book a table on the terrace for beautiful views of the beach (voted one of the best in the British Isles) and watch the world go by. For a more relaxed lunch, The Crab Shack (01534 744611; www.crabshackjersey.co.uk) is also excellent. At the far western end of the bay and a little off the beaten track is Beauport beach, a south-facing sun trap, surrounded on three sides by the cliff. The steep climb down to the beach keeps it from becoming overcrowded.


Pick up some of the delicious local produce at Central Market in St Helier (above), then work it off with a cycle round the island, taking in La Corbière Lighthouse (below)


At the opposite end of the island is


Plemont on the island’s north-west corner. The waves can be a bit bois- terous for swimming at times, but it’s great for bodysurfing and there’s a waterfall, caves and rockpools to explore. Take afternoon tea at the Plemont Beach Café (01534 482005), a family-run business offering deli- cious homemade meals from genuine Jersey produce. The clotted-cream tea is a must. On the north-eastern coast is Boules


Bay, a small harbour ideal for pier fishing, dolphin spotting, paddle board- ing and deepwater diving. Book a scuba- diving lesson with the Bouley Bay Dive Centre (01534 866990; www. scubadivingjersey.com) or, for the non-diver, it offers a snorkelling course or a boat trip. Afterwards, grab a hot chocolate at Mad Mary’s (07797 724964) or, for something stronger, visit the Black Dog pub (01534 869129; www.watersedgejersey.com). Surfers can find paradise at St


Ouens, a beautiful beach exposed to the Atlantic along its entire length on the west coast of Jersey. The surfing is magnificent and easily ranks among the best in Europe. Windsurfing, sand- yachting and kite-flying are also popular here. El Tico (01534 482009; www.elticojersey.com) is a casual cantina offering the perfect place to kick back after a day on the waves. Rozel is a small fishing port at the


north-east of the island, where the go-to restaurant is The Hungry Man (01534 863227), a quirky alfresco pit stop, popular with both tourists and locals alike after a brisk walk along the coast.


Autumn: a gastronomic tour


The Central Market opened in 1882 and sits within a Victorian cast-iron market hall. It’s worth seeing both for its architectural detail (in parti- cular, the splendidly exuberant fountain) and its colourful array of fruit, flow- ers and vegetables. Across the road in Beresford Street, the fish market offers the finest fruits of the sea. Shellfish is a particular specialty. There are also several places to eat, a fishing-tackle shop and a cheese- and-wine shop. Both markets are open year round, but keep the old tradition of closing on a Thursday afternoon. Situated next to the market is Banjo


J


(01534 850890; http://banjojersey. com), a European-style grand brass- erie set in a restored 10,000sq ft former Victorian gentlemen’s club. Ormer (www.ormerjersey.com; 01534 725100) is another popular lunch destination in the capital. Star chef Shaun Rankin offers an array of choices from à la carte through to tasting menus. A real secret gem is the over- grown roof garden and cigar terrace. Leave the bustle of St Helier behind


and enjoy a stroll through the vine- yards, orchards and beautiful gardens of La Mare Wine Estate (01534 481178; www.lamarewineestate.com), situated on the other side of the island in St Mary. Set in the grounds of an 18th- century Jersey granite farmhouse, La Mare’s restaurant is perfect for lunch or an afternoon cream tea. The estate also produces an excellent range of Jersey Black butter, preserves, mus- tards, fudge and chocolates.


Country Life, Jersey, Summer 2015 17


ERSEY’S bustling markets are located in the heart of St Helier.


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