There are many tasty reasons to visit Jersey in springtime, although a special mention must go to the island’s delicious Jersey Royal potatoes, harvested from March through to June. Visit this divine destination, a short hop from the UK and France, and it’s highly likely you’ll find yourself tucking into produce grown on the farm opposite your hotel or chatting with the fisherman who caught the lobster you’re about to eat. Here’s how to make the most of Jersey’s food scene

When to go
There are few crowds and plenty of sun in spring – Jersey gets more sunlight than any other place in the UK, after all. Summer is all about picnics and afternoon teas in beautiful gardens, while autumn and winter call for coastal walks and lazy pub lunches. One thing you’ll find throughout the year is a brilliant range of activities – ranging from water sports to coastal hikes – and fantastic food.

Simple pleasures
Nothing beats a dip in Jersey’s glass-clear waters followed by a hike along its coastline. Walk from La Corbière (the historic lighthouse makes for a postcard photo op) to Portelet Bay (above) and you can fuel your explorations with local produce from roadside honesty boxes, or recharge your batteries at St Brelade’s Crab Shack, near the route’s halfway point. The most sought-after spots are the picnic benches, where you can soak up the view while feasting on crab fritters.

Comfort food
Jersey’s food scene is all about delicious local food and gorgeous backdrops. Head to Plémont Beach Café for hearty breakfasts and crabmeat sandwiches or, for something more substantial, consider Gorey’s Moorings Hotel (above), where you can take in the view of Mont Orgueil Castle from the terrace (there are sheepskin rugs to ward off any chills) while you tackle one of the restaurant’s hearty roast dinners. Partial to a post-meal dip? Do as locals do and take the plunge off the pier.

Feeling flush?
You’re never far from a decadent afternoon tea here, although if fantastic vistas are a priority, we suggest L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa – you’ll get great views of St Brelade’s Bay (above) and generous dollops of Jersey’s black butter, made with cider, apples and cinnamon. For fine dining with a local twist, consider St Helier’s Samphire restaurant, awarded a Michelin star in 2018. Highlights include the lemon sole with Jersey cockles.

A grape escape
Not many visitors know that Jersey has its own vineyard (above). La Mare Wine Estate’s vino includes the sparkling Le Mourier, which can be purchased at St Helier’s Maison de Jersey, and from spring the vineyard opens for tours and tastings. There’s no shortage of rambler-friendly pubs, either. St Ouen’s Le Moulin de Lecq, tucked inside a former water mill, serves up a wide range of local ales, while visitors to St John’s Les Fontaines Tavern, which dates back to the 17th century, can enjoy views of both France and Jersey’s north coast.

Go local
Jersey is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients, and there’s never been a stronger passion for the island’s bounty. “There’s definitely been a swing towards both more casual dining and the use of Jersey produce,” says David Voisin, owner of St Helier’s Colmar brasserie and café (above, right), a local hotspot famous for its Jersey lobster bisque. Meanwhile, JB’s Bliss Brew Co. in St Helier is a tribute to Jersey’s collaborative spirit. At the Channel Islands’ first crowdfunded company, you can enjoy the brewery’s delicious Smile IPA while watching the brewmasters at work.

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