Channel Islands guide Listings Alderney - Guernsey - Sark - Herm - Jersey Coast Guide The Channel Islands* are a group of five small islands, around sixty odd miles south of Weymouth, on the English coast. In spite of being much closer to France; around 15 miles in the case of Alderney, the islands have been British territories since the twelfth century. The two main islands of Jersey and Guernsey are very popular holiday destinations for the British but they also attract tourists from all over the world. There are numerous ferry links to both the UK and France and there are air links to Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey. Mont Orgueil Castle Jersey For details of Jersey and Guernsey Hotels and Holidays, Guest Houses, Cottages and to visit Attractions. Go to Jersey Guernsey Hotels Guest Houses and Cottages Alderney Alderney is the third largest island of the group but is quite small, measuring around 3.5 miles by 1.5 miles. It has a population of around 2500, who are mostly located in the main town St Anne.

The island is also a bit isolated as it has no regular ferry service operating from the mainland or from the other islands. The main means of transport is via air links which run to Jersey and Guernsey and to Bournemouth on the mainland. Although there are now daily flights into the island from Southampton, Shoreham (Brighton International), and Bournemouth. Check with airports for schedule. Oddly enough, as Alderney gets relatively few visitors, it is one of the best defended places in the UK with an amazing 13 forts along its coast. The reason for these fortifications, of course was the fear of French invasion during the nineteenth century. The island is only a cannon ball shot or two from the French coast. The island has some excellent beaches and beautiful scenery you should book accommodation in advance. Guernsey Guernsey is the second largest island with a population of around 60,000 and is the second most popular holiday destination of the group. Life centres on St Peter Port which is the main town and port. Here you can catch ferries to the smaller islands of Herm and Sark. The island has some dramatic scenery, with towering cliffs and sandy beaches along its western coast. Recommended beaches are at Cobo and Pembroke.

Guernsey's most famous son is Victor Hugo, the French writer, who was exiled to the island in 1856 when Napoleon III took over France. He stayed until 1870, living in Hautville House, which is now a visitor centre and open to the public on most days. The Channel Islands were occupied by Germany during World War II and there are still many reminders of this event dotted around the island, including the Underground Hospital which was built by slave labour to house injured German soldiers. As you would expect Guernsey has some great beaches, these are mostly located on the islands north coast. At the eastern end of the island is Pembroke Bay, which is north east facing, nearby is Le Grand Harve, a large sandy beach. Further to the west are Saline and Cobo Bay, both are sandy and have beach facilities. Next is Vazon Bay and at the western end of the island you will find the huge L'eree Bay which joins up with Rocquaine Bay, there are beach cafes at either end of the beach. The nearest beaches to St. Peter Port are Petit Bot Bay and Moulin Huet Bay - situated about 2 miles from the town.

Places to visit on Guernsey Guernsey Aquarium - La Vallette, St Peter Port, GY1 1AX Phone: (01481) 723301 Beau Sejour Leisure Center - Amherst, St Peter Port GY1 2DL Phone: 01481 12050 Pleinmont Headland - Cliff walk and bird watching Victor Hugo's Garden - Hauteville House, 38 Hauteville Street, St Peter Port GY1 1DG Phone: (0)1481 721911 Castle Cornet - 12th century castle with three museums inside plus gardens outside. Castle Emplacement, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1AU Phone: (0)1481 721657 Herm This tiny island is one of the smallest occupied islands within the UK with a population of just 115. It is situated some five miles from Guernsey and can be reached by ferry in about 20 minutes. After that you walk - there are no wheeled vehicles on the island - not even bicycles are allowed!

There are limited facilities on the island but you can stay at the campsite or at the grand sounding, White House Hotel. There is also a pub - the Mermaid Tavern - so you've got somewhere to relax after you've walked around the island - it takes about two hours and is well worth the effort! Sark Sark is positively heaving with people compared with its smaller neighbour - with a population of nearly 600 people. It is also about three times the size of Herm, so its not really overcrowded. Daily ferries operate from St Peter Port to the island - the journey takes about 45 minutes. Sark is also traffic free but you can hire bikes and there are horse drawn taxis. Sark is perhaps best known as Europe's only remaining feudal state and is ruled by the seigneur, Michael Beaumont. The island has its own constitution which dates back to Elizabethan times which enables the island to raise its own taxes and make its own laws. The island has a picturesque coastline of about thirty miles and the only way to visit is by foot or boat. Jersey Jersey is the most southerly of the Channel Islands and is also the UK's most southerly point.

It is situated some eighty miles south of the UK mainland and is approximately twenty miles from the French coast. There are regular ferry services to Jersey from Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth. The Condor fast ferry makes the journey in around three hours. The island has a lot to offer the visitor with miles of sandy beaches, stunning views, tranquil villages and the busy cosmopolitan centre of St Helier. A major attraction is Jersey Zoo, which was founded by the writer and naturalist, Gerald Durrell. The emphasis at the zoo is the conservation of endangered species rather than as just a sideshow. Another spectacular sight is to be found at the small port of Gorey, which is overlooked by the stunning Mont Orgueil Castle - see above. The castle dates from the thirteenth century and was added to over the next 400 years. It is open to the public every day during the summer months. As well as the tourism aspects of the island, Jersey also operates as a major financial centre with many international banks and finance houses based on the island. The main draw for these firms being low personal and corporate tax rates - some 50% of the islands income comes from financial institutions.

Places to visit on Jersey Mont Orgueil Castle - 13th century castle - Gorey, St Martin, Jersey, JE3 6ET Phone: 01534 833300 Maritime Museum - interactive museum - New North Quay, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3ND Phone: 01534 811043 Amazin Adventure Park - go carts and rides - St Peter, Jersey, JE3 7AX Phone: 01534 482116 Channel Islands Military Museum - based in a former German bunker - 01534 483205 Elizabeth Castle - 16th century castle on and island - 01534 723971 There is also a ten bowling alley and a swimming pool. *Strictly speaking the Channel Islands are not a part of the UK - they are Crown Dependencies and are self governing. Map of the Channel Islands Britain's 50 greatest islands - Telegraph Britain's 50 greatest islands Julia Hunt selects the best of more than a thousand islands around the United Kingdom.

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, lies a mile off the Northumbrian coast Photo: Getty The Cullins mountains dominate the skyline as you approach Skye Photo: Getty Iona has had an abbey since St Columba arrived in the sixth century Photo: Getty Lundy is ideal for bird-watching, nature walks and snorkelling safaris Photo: Getty Rathlin is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island Photo: Getty By Julia Hunt 12:24PM BST 01 Sep 2008 1. St Mary’s The largest of the Scilly Isles, St Mary’s is nevertheless only three miles wide, though it has the best links with the mainland, thanks to an airport and ferry service. Travel along the quaint lanes by horse, bicycle or vintage car. Stay at the Star Castle Hotel (01720 422317; ; from £240), which was built as a garrison for Queen Elizabeth I. 2. Tresco Palm trees and exotic plants from around the world flourish in the sheltered Abbey Garden, thanks to the mild Scilly climate. Beaches, one pretty village, and 20 minutes from Penzance by helicopter.

Stay at The Island Hotel (01720 422883; ; from £270). 3. Lundy English seaside cafes: Coffee and coast 01 Aug 2008 In the mouth of the Bristol Channel, Lundy is just over three miles long and one mile wide. England’s only marine nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it is ideal for bird-watching, nature walks and snorkelling safaris. Self-catering is available in Landmark Trust properties ( ). 4. Anglesey The largest island off the Welsh coast, Anglesey has wide beaches, Victorian seaside towns and the village with the longest place name in Britain (shortened to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll). The island is regarded as the bread basket of Wales and culinary events include a beer festival next month and an oyster festival in October. . 5. Isle of Man The island has its own government, the Tynwald, and its own language, Manx, yet is just 60 miles off the Lancashire coast. Attractions include sandy beaches, medieval castles and the TT motorcycle races. . 6.

Rathlin Island With its dramatic basalt cliffs, Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island is home to thousands of seabirds, which you can view from a RSPB bird colony. Daily passenger ferries from Ballycastle, six miles across the Sea of Moyle, with Caledonian MacBrayne ( ). 7. Inchmurrin The largest inland island in Britain, Inchmurrin is found towards the south of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch. Named after St Mirren, the island has traces of a seventh-century monastery. Activities include walking, swimming and watersports. Access by ferry or Balmaha Mail Boat. Restaurant and self-catering accommodation. Further information, . 8. Bute Located in the Firth of Clyde, Bute was a popular Victorian holiday destination. The jazz festival is a big draw now, along with Mount Stuart, the Gothic home of the Earls of Bute. Cruise back on the Waverley, Glasgow’s last paddle steamer. . 9. Arran Often referred to as “Scotland in miniature”, Arran has a diverse landscape of beaches, mountains, woodlands and villages, just an hour from the Ayrshire coast.

Attractions include the Isle of Arran distillery, Brodick Castle, several golf courses and a wide range of accommodation. . 10. Sanda Popular with sailors and helicopter pilots, this tiny island south of the Mull of Kintyre, has one of Britain’s remotest pubs, the Byron Darnton Tavern. Visitors include the Princess Royal, who stocks up on the free-range beach eggs. Self-catering available. Boat trips from Campbeltown. . 11. Gigha Three miles off the Kintyre peninsula, Gigha was bought by the community in 2002. The island is small enough to walk around in a day, taking in the pretty bays and beautiful Achamore Gardens with magnificent rhododendrons and orchids. Stay at Achamore House (01583 505400; ; b & b from £90). 12. Jura Wild and unspoilt, Jura has 5,000 deer and 200 inhabitants. The powerful Corryvreckan whirlpool nearly killed George Orwell who wrote 1984 here. The village has a distillery overlooking the bay.

Stay in luxury at Jura Lodge which sleeps 10 ( ; from £2,500 a weekend). 13. Islay With eight distilleries, Islay is the perfect island for whisky lovers. Kilchoman, the newest and smallest, demonstrates how the tipple is made. Known as the Queen of the Hebrides, Islay has long beaches and a golf course. Stay at Port Charlotte Hotel (01496 850 360; ; from £130). 14. Colonsay One of the most southerly islands of the Inner Hebrides, Colonsay has a lush landscape, a charming village and spectacular beaches, such as Kiloran Bay. Stay at the Colonsay Hotel (01951 200316; ; from £110), which offers stylish rooms and serves local produce. 15. Oronsay Across the strand from Colonsay, Oronsay is only accessible at low tide, which allows enough time to visit the ruined Augustinian Priory. A chapel houses carved tombstones from across the Hebrides, dating from the 14th century. . 16.

Lismore Ten minutes by ferry from Port Appin, Lismore is the largest island in Loch Linnhe. Its name is Gaelic for great garden and the island has a unique flora. Remains of Achanduin and Coeffin Castles. . 17. Mull Renowned for its wildlife, Mull is one of the best places to spot golden eagles, otters, dolphins and whales. Fly into Tobermory by seaplane for spectacular views of the beaches, bays and brightly coloured cottages. Stay at the cosy Highland Cottage Hotel (01688 302030; ; from £150). 18. Iona Off the tip of Mull, Iona has had an abbey since St Columba arrived in the sixth century. The current Benedictine abbey was restored in the last century, though the medieval pink granite nunnery is still in ruins. Stay at the Argyll Hotel (01681 700334; ; from £90), which serves island-grown vegetables. 19.

Staffa About 45 minutes by boat from Mull or Iona, the uninhabited island of Staffa is home to Fingal’s Cave. The majestic opening of basalt columns, known in old Norse as Staffa, inspired Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. The island also houses a puffin colony in the summer. . 20. Tiree This island is one of the sunniest places in Britain, but strong winds also make it a windsurfing paradise. Although easily reached from Oban by ferry and a new air service, Tiree remains unspoilt, with pretty crofts and miles of beaches. Stay at the Scarinish Hotel (01879 220308; ; from £70). 21. Coll The most northerly isle of the Inner Hebrides, Coll boasts splendid beaches sandwiched between machair and a glorious sea. Activities include walking, cycling, golf and bird-watching. Stay at the Coll Hotel (01879 230334; ; from £80). 22. Rum The largest of the Small Isles below Skye, which include Eigg, Canna and Muck.

Rum is a National Nature Reserve, with hostel accommodation, including four-poster rooms, in Kinloch Castle, a grand Edwardian stately home in need of renovation. . 23. Canna Owned by the National Trust, Canna is a bird sanctuary and breeding colony for Manx Shearwaters and sea eagles. There is a small crafting population, a café and self-catering cottages. Explore beaches and archaeological remains. Further information, . 24. Soay Pronounced soy, the name comes from Old Norse and means Sheep Island. Soay’s principal residents are seals, which breed in the bay. In the Fifties, the island operated a shark oil factory, which greatly reduced shark numbers in the area. For details of boat trips visit . 25. Skye The Cullins mountains dominate the skyline as you approach the Isle of Mist. Skye’s Gaelic heritage flourishes in the south, with a Gaelic college and whisky company, while the north offers dramatic coastline of cliffs and waterfalls. Stay at Hotel Eilean Iarmain (01471 833332; ; from £120), which has stunning views across the Sound of Sleat.

26. Raasay In Norse, Raasay means “Isle of Red Deer”, though the island, just off the east coast of Skye, also hosts sea eagles, buzzards, rare orchids and a small crofting community. The north road was built by one determined man, Calum MacLeod, and is known as Calum’s Road. Stay at Borodale House (01478 660222; ; from £80). 27. Barra Land on Britain’s only beach runway before exploring the machair-backed bays. Kayak around Kisimul Castle, a 15th-century keep surrounded by water, or visit the Bronze Age burial site and Iron Age roundhouses at Allasdale. Stay at Castlebay Hotel (01871 810223; ; from £89). 28. Eriskay Best known as the setting for Whisky Galore, a novel and film about how islanders “liberated” 2,000 cases of whisky from the SS Politician after it sank in the shallow sound in 1941. You can enjoy a dram in the Am Politician pub.

Linked to South Uist by causeway. 29. North Uist Pristine beaches and chic hotels combine with Hebridean hospitality. Sandwiched between the Minch and the Atlantic, North Uist’s lochs and lochen are perfect for fishing or spotting otters. Order the hand-dived scallops and fine seafood at Langass Lodge (01876 580285; ; from £95), a holiday haunt of Stella McCartney. 30. Harris Famed for its tweed, Harris is one of the prettiest parts of the Western Isles, with miles of sandy beaches and one of the Hebrides’ best-preserved medieval churches at Rodel. Stay at Scarista House (01859 550238; ; from £175). 31. Lewis Joined to Harris, Lewis is famed for its prehistoric remains, including the Callanish standing stones and the Iron Age broch at Carloway. The blackhouse village at Gearrannan shows how islanders lived. Restored cottages offer self-catering accommodation from £125. . 32.

Monach Isles Until a tidal wave hit the Hebrides in the 16th century, the Monach Isles were connected to North Uist, five miles away. Abandoned in the Thirties, these sandy dunes have become Britain’s most important breeding colony for grey seals. Day trips from North Uist. . 33. Taransay Featured in the BBC show, Castaway, in 2000, Taransay, two miles off the Harris coast, is a wildly beautiful island with white beaches perfect for picnics. It has two self-catering cottages and is accessible for day trips through Angus MacKay (01859 550260). 34. St Kilda Its inhabitants left Britain’s remotest island in the Thirties, but the World Heritage Site is frequented by National Trust workers and wildlife enthusiasts. Day-trippers can reach the island, 50 miles off the Harris coast, in three hours. . 35. The Summer Isles This evocative-sounding archipelago is located above Loch Broom, in Wester Ross. Remote and sparsely inhabited, the isles are a natural paradise for birdlife.

Stay at the Summer Isles Hotel (01854 622282; ; from £135) on the Coigach peninsula. 36. Handa A mile off the Sutherland coast near Scourie, Handa is a major sea bird colony. Guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes are chief residents of the Torridonian sandstone cliffs and great sea stack. Walk around ruins of the village abandoned after the potato famine of 1848. Managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. . 37. Orkney The Neolithic wonders of Scara Brae and the Tomb of the Eagle set the tone for culture in Orkney. Other delights include Kirkwall Cathedral and Highland Park, Britain’s most northerly distillery. Stay at the Lynnfield Hotel (01856 872505; ; from £100). 38. Fair Isle Midway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is one of the remotest places in Britain, renowned for its knitwear and a haven for birdlife.

Stay at the Fair Isle Observatory Lodge (01595 760258; ; twin room £39; bed in dormitory £30), a hostel overlooking the cliffs. 39. Shetland This northerly group of islands joined Scotland in 1469. Attractions include Neolithic remains at Jarlshof and the fortified tower at Mousa. Stay at the 16th-century Busta House Hotel (01806 522506; ; from £100), Shetland’s oldest house. 40. Isle of May Meaning “Gull Island” in Norse, May is a National Nature Reserve and a haven for bird life, especially puffins, which nest from April to August. Situated in the Firth of Forth, May has Scotland’s oldest lighthouse and remains of a 12th-century monastery. Boat trips from Anstruther. . 41. Bass Rock In the Firth of Forth, Bass Rock is a major sea bird sanctuary a mile off the North Berwick coast. The island is a large volcanic plug, with steep cliffs colonised by gannets.

From the 16th century, Bass Rock housed a garrison and a prison, which featured in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Catriona. . 42. Holy Island A mile off the Northumbrian coast, Lindisfarne became known as Holy Island after being settled by monks in the sixth century. Visit the the 11th-century Benedictine priory and the 16th-century castle built with its stones. . 43. Isle Of Wight Three miles from the Hampshire coast, and a popualr resort since the days of Queen Victoria. Seaside towns hug the coast, but the west, home to The Needles, is less developed. . 44. Brownsea Island Go for the wildlife (including red squirrels), woodland trails with guided walks, wetland and heath. Accessible by Ferry from Poole Quay, Sandbanks Jetty, Bournemouth Pier and Swanage Pier. Shop and café. . 45. Burgh Island Off the south Devon coast, Burgh is reached on foot or by ferry tractor.

The tidal island has a pub, the 14th-century Pilchard Inn, and an Art Deco hotel, Burgh Island Hotel (01548 810514; ; from £355), setting for the Agatha Christie novel, And Then There Were None. 46. Alderney The most northerly Channel Island is small enough to cycle around. Quaint cottages line cobbled streets in the village of St Anne, seafood lands fresh on your table while sandy beaches are perfect for sandcastle holidays. Stay at Maison Bourgage (01481 824097; ; from £64). 47. Jersey 100 miles from England and 14 from France, Jersey is the most southerly part of the UK. Sweeping beaches and narrow coves surround a lush interior with pretty villages and a vineyard. Stay at the Atlantic Hotel (01534 744101; ; from £205), which has sea views and a Michelin restaurant. 48. Sark One of the smallest Channel Islands, Sark is also the smallest independent feudal state, governed by a seigneur.

The car-free country lanes are delightful to walk or cycle along with cliff-top views down to small coves. Accommodation includes 300-year-old inns and renovated farms. . 49. Guernsey Visit St Peter Port, the lively harbour and financial centre, where Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables, taste rich Guernsey milk, or explore picturesque villages and cliff-top trails. . 50. No Man’s Land Fort Built in the 1860s to defend Portsmouth harbour against the French, No Man’s Land is one of four private forts in the Solent. Converted into a hotel in the Eighties and accessible only by helicopter, the fort is for sale – to stay, you’ll need to buy it: offers in the region of £4 million, please.

Traveller's Guide: Jersey | The Independent Traveller's Guide: Jersey Friday 15 June 2012 11:00 BST Click to follow The coast is clear: Jersey's south-west coast mixes sandy beaches with rocky outcrops Stuart Abraham 2/5 Rock of ages: 16th-century Elizabeth Castle, set on an islet in St Aubin's Bay, can be reached on foot at low tide Stuart Abraham 3/5 Stellar: The Atlantic Hotel's Ocean Restaurant is one of three Jersey eateries with a Michelin star 4/5 Party on: On 9 August, the island gets into the carnival spirit for its annual Battle of Flowers 5/5 Flying high: Kitesurfing on St Ouen's Bay Stuart Abraham The coast is clear: Jersey's south-west coast mixes sandy beaches with rocky outcrops Gentle Jersey, the most southerly of the British Isles, closer to France than to our south coast, claims to enjoy more sunshine hours than any other corner of the land.

So the annual June in Bloom Floral Festival (01534 448800; jersey.com), which runs from today until 24 June, provides an appropriate summery moment to visit as the island's parks and gardens, public and private, throw open their gates to reveal the natural beauty that thrives here. For most visitors, a trip to Jersey is all about the landscape. In summer, looking out from the cliff path above the blue waters and golden sands of St Brelade's Bay on the south-west coast, you could imagine yourself to be in the Mediterranean. Jersey may be tiny, at just nine miles by five, but it's the largest of the Channel Islands and has a satisfyingly diverse terrain. Take a walk through the flower-filled meadows and shady woods of the Fern Valley just north of the capital, St Helier; scale the cliffs at La Grève de Lecq on the rugged north coast; romp across the dunes on the western windswept sands of St Ouen's Bay. Along the way, you can expect to see puffins and petrels, sea campion and sand crocus, swallows and spotted flycatchers, foxgloves and primroses.

The National Trust for Jersey (01534 483193; is just one of a number of organisations that has pledged to protect the island's natural environment which has, in places, been blighted by overdevelopment and some quite unremarkable structures. Yet, Jersey's architectural heritage also offers much to admire. The island's position between France and England has attracted invaders and settlers since prehistoric times. Each wave has added to Jersey's collection of structures, from the dolmen at La Hougue Bie (01534 853823; jerseyheritage.org; entrance £7.40), which also houses a museum about the Neolithic era, and impressive coastal defences such as 13th-century Mont Orgueil Castle (01534 853292; jerseyheritage.org; entrance £10.90), above the eastern harbour of Gorey, and the simple yet evocative 19th-century communal washing areas, such as the Lavoir de La Rue des Prés near Five Oaks junction.

Historic buildings are favoured for illustrating on the local currency, the Jersey pound, just one of the small differences that makes this place feel a little distant from the British mainland. Travelling around the island, with its predilection for civic floral displays, you could be forgiven for thinking that you're somewhere in stockbroker-belt Surrey. But then your eye will alight on a road sign written in French and you'll be reminded that, while geographically part of the British Isles, Jersey is not a part of the United Kingdom but rather a dependency of the British Crown – ruled by its own assembly, with its own, if dying, language, Jèrriais – which bears the influence of its Norman neighbours, too. The island also has its own distinct gourmet scene that makes use of its enviable wealth of local produce. Go about the island's lanes in May and June and you'll see the pickers bent-backed on the cotils – steep south- and west-facing terraced slopes – plucking Jersey Royal potatoes from soil that is fertilised using seaweed gathered from the shoreline.

Thousands of tons of potatoes are exported each year, but you'll still find plenty on offer in the island's restaurants, alongside the seafood for which Jersey is also famed – sweet scallops from Bouley Bay, oysters from Grouville, lobster, chancre crab, ormers and mussels. And the creamy milk of Jersey cows creates sublime ice cream. Buy yourself a cone, roll up your trousers and weave your way through the bucket-and-spade-wielding throng for a paddle in the ocean. This island has plenty of experiences to offer the traveller, but a good old-fashioned trip to the beach is surely one of the best. Breath of fresh air The locals are so keen on stepping out they hold walking festivals in spring and autumn. The next, Autumn Walking Week (15-22 September), features self-led and guided walks aimed at all ages and abilities, during the day and night. Highlights include a five-day Around Island Walk and Food Trails. From April to October, there's a guided walking programme with themed town and country walks daily. One follows in the footsteps of Jersey's famous daughter Lillie Langtry, including the Old Rectory, where she was born. There is a similarly full calendar of events for cyclists.

The Jersey Tourism website (jersey.com) contains full details. On the coast, surfing, kayaking and wakeboarding are all offered. Check out activities run by Absolute Adventures (07829 881111; absolutejersey.co.uk), such as blokarting (£30 an hour) and coasteering (£35 for two hours). A taste of the island The recent award of a Michelin star to Tassili, the restaurant led by Richard Allen at the Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa (01534 722301; grandjersey .com) in St Helier, brings the island's quota to an impressive three. His adventurous dishes include parfait and yuzu marinated salmon, octopus and avocado salad, quail egg, wasabi and squid ink, and kombu foam.

The other two stars are held by Shaun Rankin's Bohemia Bar & Restaurant at The Club Hotel & Spa (01534 876500; bohemiajersey.com), also in St Helier, and the Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel (01534 744101; theatlantichotel.com), at St Ouen's Bay, headed by Mark Jordan. He's also just launched a more relaxed dining space at St Aubin's Bay, titled simply Mark Jordan at the Beach (01534 780180; markjordanatthe beach.com). There's a taste of Portugal on offer in St Helier, at Restaurant Barqueiro (01534 868686) in Beresford Street. One in twelve of Jersey's 100,000 residents originate from Portugal and Madeira, a link dating back to the 1930s. Self-caterers can opt for the daily catch at Captain Lobster (01534 615815; captain lobster.co.uk) on Victoria Pier, St Helier, open most afternoons.

On the history trail Jersey documents its past well, not least through a fine collection of forts maintained by Jersey Heritage (01534 633300; jerseyheritage.org). Among the most imposing is the 16th-century Elizabeth Castle (01534 723971; jersey heritage.org; entrance £12), set on its own islet in St Aubin's Bay, which can be reached on foot at low tide. (Also site of the hermitage said to be the home of St Helier in the 6th century.) Like many Jersey Heritage properties, the castle has holiday rentals – an apartment sleeping six in the old barracks costs from £594 for a minimum three-night stay. The story of the German occupation in the Second World War is told at the Jersey War Tunnels (01534 860808; jerseywartunnels.com; entrance £11.20), in the eerie setting of a hospital bunker built by PoWs at Les Charrières Malorey.

One of the island's top attractions, the Glass Church (01534 720934; glass church.org), aka St Matthew's, at Millbrook, has fully reopened after restoration. The glass font is among the creations of designer René Lalique, who was commissioned in 1932 by Florence Boot, wife of the founder of Boot's the Chemist. Party on Jersey may have a reputation as a sleepy backwater, but barely a month goes by without a special event taking place. On 15 July, the Olympic torch makes its most southerly stop in the British Isles along the south coast of Jersey, from Bel Royal to Weighbridge Place. On 9 August, the island gets into the carnival spirit for its annual Battle of Flowers (01534 730178; battleofflowers.com),above, an event with appropriately royal beginnings for this jubilee year – it was first held in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII. Floats decked with blooms will process through the streets for the Grand Day Parade, accompanied by musicians, dancers and entertainers.

On 10 August, the whole spectacle will be illuminated by thousands of lights for the traditional Moonlight Parade. Jersey Live Music Festival (jerseylive.org.uk; from £58) will take place at the Royal Jersey Showground on 1 and 2 September. Headline acts include Professor Green and The Stranglers. Staying power This island has plenty of hotels and self-catering options, all listed on the tourist board's website (jersey.com). But Jersey also has a good deal of unusual accommodation. Heritage Holiday Lets (01534 633304; jerseyheritage.org) is a portfolio of quirky historic properties, including the Barge Aground, a 1930s house designed in the shape of a boat which sits on the dunes at St Ouen's Bay. Sleeping six, it's available from £396 for a minimum two-night break.

Luxury camping now features in the island's accommodation mix with the opening this year of Durrell Wildlife Camp (01534 860090; durrell.org/camp) in the grounds of the wildlife park established here in 1959 by the author and conservationist Gerald Durrell. From 30 July to 3 September, 12 geodesic domes will be ready for hire, sleeping two adults and two children, with bathrooms and kitchenettes. Prices start at £495 for four nights, including park entry. Other accommodation news for this year includes the reopening of the Marina Metro Hotel (01534 724519; marinametrojersey.com), at Havre des Pas in St Helier, after a major refurbishment. Its 34 bedrooms cost from £68 per night, including breakfast.

Travel essentials Getting there and getting around Flights from the UK to Jersey include: BA (0844 493 0787; ba.com) from Gatwick; Jet2 (0871 964 0016; jet2.com) from Leeds/Bradford and Blackpool; easyJet (0843 104 5000; easyjet.com) from Southend, Glasgow and Liverpool; bmibaby (0905 828 2828; bmibaby .com) from East Midlands; Manx2 (0871 200 0440; manx2.com) from Isle of Man, Gloucester and Oxford; Blue Islands (08456 202122; blueislands .com) from Isle of Man, Bristol, Bournemouth, Manchester, London City, Cambridge and Southampton; and Flybe (01392 268529; flybe.com) from Bristol, Southampton, Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster-Sheffield, Norwich, Durham Tees Valley, Exeter, Humberside

, Manchester, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Condor Ferries (0845 609 1024; condorferries .co.uk) operates from Poole, Weymouth and Portsmouth to Jersey's Elizabeth Terminal (01534 447788; portof jersey.je). Connex Jersey (01534 877772; mybus.je) operates bus services from the ferry port and Jersey Airport to Liberation Station in St Helier, as well as local routes across the island. Taxis from the airport cost about £15. Car hire is available through companies including Hertz (01534 636666; hertzci.com) and Sovereign (01534 608062; carhire-jersey.com). A week's car hire starts at about £130. Jersey has lots of cycle routes and Funky Puffin Bike Hire (07797 720159; jerseybikehire.co.uk) has bikes from £18 per day adults, £10 for children. More information

Question: Which is the most southerly of The Channel Islands ?
Answer: Jersey