The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is Jersey’s answer to a zoo, and is known worldwide for its endangered species conservation. Founded over 50 years ago by conservationist and author Gerald Durrell, it holds a variety of species including gorillas, bears, flamingos, orangutans and boas, and is set in Les Augres Manor and its beautiful grounds.

The Jersey War Tunnels date from WWII, when the Channel Islands, including Jersey, were occupied by the Germans. They were dug by prisoners of war who were held in appalling conditions. Set in St Lawrence, the tunnels are thought-provoking at the very least, and were never used for their original purpose of protecting the occupation forces and as a military hospital.

Island Duck Tours are a fun way to get an overview of the island’s lovely coastline via an amphibious coach journey from West Park in Saint Helier to Elizabeth Castle. Whether it’s on land or in the water, the vehicle offers scenic views of the coastline and there’s a commentary pointing out interesting landmarks.

La Mare Wine Estate in St Mary Parish is set on the estate of an 18th century farm house and is known for its famous Jersey apple brandy as well as its award-winning wines. Tours include the winery and vineyards and, of course, tasting sessions.

aMaizin Adventure Park in St Peter is one of the most popular attractions for family visitors to the island. Kids of all age will love the rides, go-kart track, gold mine, toboggan run, dinosaur dig and labyrinth of corn. The Barnyard is a great hit, with children able to milk a cow and interact with other farmyard animals here.

Saint Aubin, originally a fishing village, one of the prettiest villages on the island. Set on a charming harbour, it features traditional, beautifully-kept homes and little winding streets that offer a journey back in time, and the cream teas in its cafés are delicious.

Jersey Maritime Museum celebrates the island’s long association with deep-sea fishing and seafaring, and is unusual for encouraging visitors to touch the exhibits. Modern interactive displays combine with exhibits giving a glimpse into Jersey’s impressive maritime heritage. Set in Saint Helier, the museum is great for families and is open all year.

Jersey’s top heritage landmarks include several castles, with Elizabeth Castle boasting a fascinating history of over 500 years as a defensive fortress. Once home to famous mariner and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, the castle was named after England’s Queen Elizabeth I and was a refuge for King Charles II during England’s Civil War. Close by is the Hermitage, which is reputed to have been home to Saint Helier in the 6th century.

Mont Orgueil Castle looms on a headland which overlooks the sea and has protected the island from invasion by the French for 600 years. Secret rooms, hidden stairways, towers and battlements, and a cellar hosting a witchcraft exhibition are all here and, in the summer season, falconry displays, costumed Living History events and more give an overview of life in the olden days.

Neolithic tribes were the first inhabitants of Jersey many millennia ago, and the Jersey Museum takes visitors through a journey encompassing 250,000 years up to the modern day. Set in Saint Helier, the museum also holds an art gallery with a display of artworks by leading surrealist Claude Cahun as well as a collection of his personal material.

Just offshore from St Brelade’s Bay is La Corbiere Lighthouse, built in the 1870s and one of the best known Jersey landmarks. Saint Aubin’s Fort lies offshore from Saint Aubin’s Bay and can be reached on foot at low tide, and the clifftop setting of the ruins of Grosnez Castle is adjacent to the Le Pinacle rock, a place of worship for many thousands of years.

Nightlife in Jersey is centred on its main town, Saint Helier, with a good choice of pubs, bars and a least 15 buzzing nightclubs attracting well-known international guest DJs. Although Saint Helier isn’t exactly Las Vegas, there’s enough going down to satisfy visiting night owls and music fanatics.

The harbour and marina area around the Esplanade are upscale, with cocktail bars and bistros giving great sunset views, and many bars and pubs in the town offer live music on weekends. The nightclubs stay open until 02:30 while pubs and bars close at 23:00.

Saint Helier has two cinemas, the CineCentre in the Hotel de France and the Forum in Bath Street, both of which screen all the latest films. August’s Jersey Film Festival and its outdoor Sure Film Festival in Howard Davis Park offer an eclectic selection of screen delights. Dining and dancing are on offer in many of the fine restaurants and the UK TV channels and satellite options ensure sports and soaps fans don’t miss their matches or favourite programmes.

A well as being a charming building, Jersey Opera House in Saint Helier offers regular performances in dance, theatre and concerts. Its spaces include the opera auditorium, a studio theatre, event spaces and a bar and café. The Jersey Arts Centre also holds performances and events, and the large auditorium of the Gloucester Hall in Fort Regent holds orchestral concerts, dance spectaculars and other performances.

Jersey is famous for its ultra-fresh food and especially for the quality of its seafood, freshly caught daily and landed at Saint Helier’s harbour. Local specialities include sea bass, plaice, lobsters, crabs and oysters, in addition to the increasingly rare shellfish delicacy, the ormer.

The island has a fine choice of restaurants, from Michelin-starred through bistros and local eateries, the majority of which are found in and around Saint Helier. Outside the main town, fine dining outlets are found in traditional farmhouses and other heritage buildings.

International cuisine from across the world as well as traditional English meals including roast beef Sunday dinners and British pub grub cater for all tastes and pockets, and there’s even a recently-arrived McDonalds.

Jersey’s own cuisine shows strong French influences, with gourmet French restaurants a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. Black butter, made from cider, reduced for hours and combined with spices, liquorice, lemon, sugar and apples, is a unique Jersey delicacy. 

For serious foodies and a chance to walk off those extra calories, a guided gourmet walk is just the thing, whether it’s around the island’s wild, west coastline, the coastal north, the exquisite little east coast bays or the stunning cliff tops of the south. Stops are made at rural fine dining venues in beautiful locations.

Gourmets will be in heaven at the Jersey Food Festival, celebrating the island’s famous Jersey Royal potato, dairy produce and stunning seafood. The event, held each May, is a showcase for restaurateurs, chefs and local farmers.