20 Jersey Facts: Intriguing Facts about the Channel Island

Inextricably linked with Britain and also borrowing some qualities from its closest neighbor, France, Jersey is a vital yet tiny island in the world that has influences from both British and France.

Each year, many visitors are lured here by its interesting culture, rich history, wartime museums and relics, ancient castles and remains, etc.

Moreover, many tourists come here for its amazing cycling trails, luxury spas, picturesque walking, and many other attractions.

So, in this article, we will discuss some interesting facts about this tiny yet beautiful island called Jersey.

1. Jersey was known for its cider

For hundreds of years, the first choice of Jersey regarding beverage was cider before the arrival of coffee and tea. As the water was brackish, even the children drank it. In the 17th century, Jersey became concerned that much land was being utilized for orchards at the cost of important crops like corn. Hence, in an Act in 1673, planting any new orchards was forbidden.

Around 1801, it was estimated that the island of Jersey produced 2 million gallons of cider annually.

2. Jersey was famous for its apple

The island of Jersey was so famous for its apple that in 1856, La Societe Centrale d’Agriculture de la Seine Inferieure turned to Jersey for advice for help with its own cider production instead of Normandy. They rated Moise Gibaut, of Mainland, St Lawrence, as the best producer and also said that they had never tested this kind of amazing and great quality cider before.

3. The island of Jersey wasn’t always famous for its finance industry

Guernsey and Jersey have thriving finance industries, but the days are gone in Jersey knitting, agriculture, oyster farming, cider making, shipbuilding, and also from tourism of the 1870s were the mainstay industries.

Actually, on the beaches, the industrial revolution in Jersey took place. 

During the 19^th century, the shoreline of the islands was littered with shipyards, which produced coastal traders, cultures, brigs, and schooners.

4. The largest island shipyard

The largest island shipyard in Jersey was FC Clarke, located on the island’s South Coast, just in front of the Grand Hotel today. The remains of the largest shipyards are located underneath Victoria Avenue, which is the only dual carriageway on the island.

5. The island of Jersey has one of the world’s largest tides

Jersey has the world’s third-largest tidal movement, with tides over 13 meters or 40 feet. The tide rises at a speed of about 10 kph, but on the island’s south coast, the sea rushes through the gullies at several points faster than a running horse.

6. Jersey’s seaweed was used as fertilizer

In the Channel Islands, seaweed or vraic was a highly valued fertilizer. According to statistics of 1893, around 30,000 loads of vraic were received from Herm and Guernsey, and even more, than that was obtained from the islands of Jersey annually.

Even now, as you walk along the beaches around the island at low tide, you will get to the ancient vraic markers. However, the tide must be beyond this point prior to the vraic could be gathered by licensed collectors.

7. The Parishes of Jersey

Jersey is mainly the largest of the Channel Islands. It is divided into 12 parishes: St Brelade, Grouville, St Heiler, St Clement, St Lawrence, St John, St Mary, St Martin, St Peter, St Ouen, Trinity, and St Saviour.

8. Knitting was so popular that it was outlawed

Knitting was a very profitable and widespread activity in the 17^th century on the island of Jersey. Due to this, the farming industry in Jersey started to suffer badly as workers refused to till the fields, and entire families devoted their hours to making woolen garments.

Thus, a law forbade men from knitting during harvest time, on pain of imprisonment or a large fine. Still today, this law remains in force.

It was believed that the woolen stockings of Jersey were so popular that they were exported even to Continental Europe.

9. Jersey exported tea around the world

The Overseas Trading Corporation was a tea blending and trading company with a global impact. It was mainly the export division of the Allied Lyons Empire. Tetley’s and Horiman’s tea was blended and also exported around the globe from the islands of Jersey.

However, Allied Lyons did not create OTC, and it bought into an existing worldwide operation. In 1876, an export Merchant from Reading, Thomas Cook, came to Jersey and rented premises in Old Harbour, Commercial Buildings, St Helier, from where he packed tea. This new business remained popular for over a century.

10. Here is the most southernly lighthouse of the British Isle

Jersey is home to La Corbiere, which is the British Isle’s most southern lighthouse. Also, it was the first lighthouse in the British Isles that was constructed in concrete. Constructed in 1873, on a tidal island, the lighthouse is linked to the main island by a causeway that is submerged by the tide twice daily.

11. The island of Jersey was occupied during the World War II

The only part of the British Isles was the Channel Islands, which were occupied by the German Forces during World War II. The island of Jersey was decided to be the very own holiday island of Hitler, and could be used for the recuperation of and rest of his military elite on the war’s successful conclusion. However, this never happened, and the islands were liberated on 9^th May 1945 by the British.

12. Jersey’s very own offshore reef is Les Ecrehous

Les Ecrehous is mainly an offshore reef as well as a Ramsar site of certain interest. In fact, it belongs to the Parish of St Martin, although it is located midway between the islands of Jersey and Carteret on the Cotenin Peninsula. It is largely inhabited; however, it has a collection of tiny houses, fisherman huts, and even a custom office. Moreover, at low tide, it doubles in size.

13. The tale of two parties and Les Ecrehous 

In the 19^th century, the islands of Jersey had two notable political parties, The Laurels and The Rose Party. It has been stated that on the day of the election, several members of the electorate were kidnapped by the opposing parties and also marooned at Les Ecrehous to stop them from voting.

14. People could be arrested for gossiping

Following the reformation, during both the 16^th and 17^th centuries, the island of Jersey was swept by France’s uncompromising, stiff Puritanism. The Royal Court passed a series of laws associated with the keeping of the Sabbath. Skittles, dancing, and gossiping might result in a prison sentence, while drunkenness, swearing, missing church, etc., could result in a fine.

Also, the 1980s establishments might not permit dancing on a Sunday, and also it was illegal to purchase cigarettes on a Sunday.

15. Gorey Castle was the only prison up until the 17^th century

Gorey Castle was Jersey Island’s only prison up until the 17the Century. Also, it held not only political prisoners but also prisoners who are associated with the new Puritan morality. Many of those were suspected witches and at that time in Jersey, more people were hanged for theft and witchcraft than for murder. 

Moreover, even in the 16^th Centuries speeding in Jersey was an issue and people could still be arrested for “furious driving.”

16. Jersey is closer to France than the UK

At its closest point, France is just 14 miles from Jersey. From La Rocque, people can see two low long hills that stand side by side. Also, sometimes the spire of Coustances Cathedral is visible between these hills.

The hill on the right-hand side occasionally disappears into the haze. The reason is that one of the hills is quite some way from the other. 

17. The population of Jersey

Jersey has a population of about 107,800 with approximately 46% of population born on the island. The other largest ethnic groups on Jersey are the Portuguese at 8%, British at 33%, Polish at 3%, and Irish at below 3%.

Also, Jersey island is nine miles or 14km east to west and 8 km or five miles north to south, which makes it smaller than Greater London. However, almost 20 miles of its coastline is made up of beautiful Jersey beaches.

18. It is the only place where you will see a pound note

Jersey island is the only place where you will see a pound note. Although Jersey’s currency is sterling, the island also has its own Jersey pound.

Moreover, Jersey is actually not tax-free. The island has income tax, duties paid on particular goods, and by other revenues and taxes are applicable here; however, VAT is not charged in the island.

19. Black Butter is a specialty here

Black Butter is an island specialty, which has no resemblance to the common dairy product because it is actually an apple preserve made with cider. By making black butter people of the island can use up the enormous bounty of apples harvested from the orchards of Jersey each autumn. Also, cooking it was a vital part of the rural tradition.

20. The first place in the British Isles to have a post box

The island of Jersey was the first place in the British Isles with a post box. In 1854, the simple pillar box, and the first of its kind in Britain, was installed in St Helier. Initially painted green, they were changed to a bright red color 20 years later.

Another interesting fact about Jersey is that there is a prehistoric forest beneath St Ouen’s Bay beach.

So, Jersey is a tiny island with a big story. It has a fascinating and deep history, rich culture, captivating beaches, alluring landscapes, delicious cuisine, and many more.

At the end of this article, we have come to know 20 really interesting facts about this interesting island, Jersey, that offer us a clear picture of this beautiful and unique region. To get some additional amazing facts, you can see our website.