Jersey (pop. 82,000) extends over 11mi/18km from east to west and 7mi/11km from north to south. The north coast has the more striking scenery, with a chain of high cliffs, rocky inlets and caves; the other coasts are flatter and more densely populated. Few visitors find their way along the very narrow roads into the interior, an area of intensive vegetable growing and farming. There is a particularly pleasant footpath which runs along the disused stretch of track - part of the old Jersey Railway - from St Aubin lighthouse to Corbière Point on the southwest tip of the island.
La Hougue Bie is one of Jersey's biggest tourist attractions. The burial mound, dating to the Iron or Bronze Age, contains passage graves thought to be among the largest in Europe.
The Carnation Nursery and Butterfly Farm (St Mary), another 3miles/5km or so to the west of the Zoo, has a spectacularly colorful collection of exotic butterflies.
Beyond Gorey and after Anne Port, the road runs round the wide sweep of St Catherine's Bay, a favorite spot with anglers, and past the secluded Rozel Bay with its narrow sandy beach.
A little way inland is the highest point on the island, Les Platons (485ft/148m). Other features along this attractive stretch of the north coast are Bonne Nuit Bay, with its shingle beach and the Mont Mado granite quarries; St John's Bay; La Houle cave; Sorel Point, the most northerly point on the island; the waterfall of Les Mouriers; and a number of caves.
St Aubin, on the sandy St Aubin's Bay on the island's southwest coast, is a very popular holiday resort, with a small harbor and a castle built on a crag.
Almost the entire west coast of Jersey consists of a single, wide bay, St Ouen's Bay, familiar to experienced surfers on account of its breakers. Many traditional craft workshops (making pottery, leather goods and jewelry) are found in the area.
West of Rozel Bay lies the large Bouley Bay, inland from which, near Trinity, is the excellent Jersey Zoo, well known for its commitment to the preservation of threatened species.
Address: Jersey Zoological Park, Les Augres Manor, Trinity JE3 5BP, Jersey
Hours:
9:30am-6pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.