ISLAND OF JERSEY Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, positioned in the Bay of Mont St Michel off the north-west coast of France, forms part of the last vestiges of the Duchy of Normandy still attached to the British Crown. It is the most southerly of the Islands and has one of the best sunshine records in the British Isles with an all year round mild climate. The Island is a walkers and cyclists paradise with its network of green lanes and cycle routes, in addition to the beautiful cliff path walks. Historically Jersey and the other Channel Islands were annexed by the Normans and became part of the Duchy of Normandy established by Rollo the Viking in 911. When William the Conqueror invaded and took the throne of England in 1066, the fortunes of Jersey then became linked to those in England, although the island manages its internal affairs through its own parliament, the States of Jersey.

	St. Helier The busy town and most populous parish, the island’s capital and main shopping centre. Many streets still carry old French titles and many shop fronts still boast the names of their island founders. The Parish Church is worth a visit with its mix of architectural styles. The Island's parliament one of the oldest assemblies in the Commonwealth sits in the States Chamber in the Royal Square. Visit the Central Market, which opened in 1882. The rather unsightly development around the new marina is gradually taking shape and ultimately will include a 5 star Hotel and Leisure Pool.
	St. Brelade On the south and west coast with the pretty harbour village of St. Aubin. Home to some of the major German fortifications on Noirmont headland. This parish also has one of the island’s most popular beaches the rather exotic palm-fringed St. Brelade’s Bay. The Parish Church constructed during the 11th century and built from local granite stands at the end of the bay. St. Aubins has its own navigable harbour.
	St. Ouen The main landmark is the Five Mile Road which isn’t in fact five miles long but three, technically a slice of this road and St. Ouen’s Bay is in the parish of St. Peter but let’s not confuse the issue. This is a dramatic stretch of road bordered on one side by the sweep of St. Ouen’s Bay and the Atlantic Coast, and on the other by what is arguably one of the finest sand dune systems in Europe. St. Ouen is one of the largest and most interesting parishes, and home to St. Ouen's Manor and Grosnez Castle.
	St. Martin With lots of traditional farm architecture, particularly in the lanes around Rozel and St. Catherine. Home to St. Catherine’s Breakwater, a massive engineering feat, and Mont Orgueil Castle which was much loved by Sir Walter Raleigh whilst he was governor of the island between 1600 and 1603. The harbour at Rozel is one of the most picturesque in the Island and there are three small coves Fliquet, La Coupe & Saie Harbour between St. Catherine and Rozel.
	St. Mary Most northern parish and one of the smallest. Home of Devils Hole, this is cave and cliff path country. Greve de Lecq beach is well worth a day trip, watch the fishermen unload their catch and soak up the sun on one of the islander’s favourite stretches of sand. The Elms is the headquarters of the National Trust for Jersey and is situated at the St. Mary's end of St. Peter's Valley.
	St. John A historical parish full of mystery. The Centre Stone of the island lies here, in the small village of Sion. Ronez and Sorel Point is where the North Road was built during the German occupation. Wolf's Caves is reached via a very steep and treacherous path.
	Trinity Home of the famous Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Gerald Durrell’s successful home for endangered species in the grounds of Les Augres Manor. The Parish Church has one of the finest mural monuments on the Island, that of Sir Edouard de Carteret. Les Platons is the highest point on the Island at 453 feet above sea level and houses the BBC Television Station. The Bouley Bay hill is the venue for the National and International Hill Climbs.
	St. Saviour The burial place of Jersey's most famous daughter, Emilie Charlotte le Breton, or as she is better known Lillie Langtry. A large sprawling parish, much of St. Helier's over spill. The residence of Jersey's Lieutenant Governor, close by to the Parish Church is in St. Saviour. Government House was the third of the Island's residences for the Governor, the first and second being Mont Orgueil and Elizabeth Castles.
	Grouville Nestling in the south-east tip, the home of oyster beds, Gorey Fete and Queen’s Valley Reservoir and La Hougue Bie. The picturesque old village of Gorey, which straddles the boundary between St. Martin and Grouville is here, home of many fine seafood restaurants and the Royal Bay of Grouville, the prefix royal being added in 1859 by command of Queen Victoria. La Hougue Bie, a Neolithic burial chamber, is one of the best preserved in Europe. For further details see under Places of Interest section.
	St. Clement This south-east coast parish has the most bizarre sea front in Jersey. Moonscape beach they call it referring to the rocks which jut out to sea for some two miles when the tide goes out. Many a tourist has been stranded here so beware and don't walk out too far as the incoming tide can surround you before you know it. Green Island, a prehistoric site, lies about 300 yards from the shore.
	St. Lawrence Mainly inland, with a small seaboard, a farming parish. Home of the German Underground Hospital tunnelled out of solid rock, Le Rat Cottage a magnificent example of a 17th century Jersey cottage and Hamptonne one of the most interesting properties in Jersey open to the public. See separate heading under places of interest for more detail on Hamptonne.
	St. Peter Home of the Airport and good walks through St. Peter's Valley. The Village has been much built up in recent years and now boasts a varied range of shops and supermarkets and even a real ale brewery. It is the only parish with two coastlines in its boundaries. St. Peter's Valley runs from Bel Royal to St. Mary and is a steep sided picturesque valley with meadows and streams and a National Trust property called De Quetivel Mill. The mill is the sole working example of its type and is open to the public along one of the walks through the valley.