York Association of the National Trust
YANT Holidays 2022
Holidays Organiser: holidays@yant.org.uk
Other 2022 Holidays
Jersey
2nd – 7th July 2022
2 July 2022 - Arriving over Jersey
3 July 2022 - Mont Orgueil Castle, Medieval Monachy-The Tree of Succession, Occupation Tapestry in the Maritime Museum and Liberation Square
4 July 2022 - Neolithic passage grave at La Hougue Bie, Jersey Zoo (established 1959 by Gerald Durrell), Rozel Beach and Hamptonne Country Life Museum
5 July 2022 - St Matthew's Church and the Gardens of Jersey
6 July 2022 - Eric Young Orchid Foundation, Samares Botanic Garden, Elizabeth Castle and Ferry at St Aubin’s Bay
7 July 2022 - Leaving Jersey
YANT VISIT TO JERSEY: A PERSONAL VIEW
Re-marrying late in life, inevitably each partner has ‘baggage’, some of it literal - the sofa which I hated on sight - and some of it metaphorical - treasured memories which cannot be shared. In my case, the latter included his several delightful visits to friends in Jersey. We planned to go there together, but the friends moved away, life was complicated, inertia was compounded by Covid, and it seemed unlikely that we would ever make it. Imagine my delight, therefore, when I saw the YANT trip advertised: Jersey more or less from our own doorstep.
We had never travelled with YANT before and were uncertain what to expect. Concerns mounted when we learned, on joining the coach, that of the 17 travellers, only one other beside ourselves had not previously been on a YANT trip. More or less, they all knew each other. We need not have worried: group leader Peter Drew and tour manager Michael Gill made us welcome, and the other lovely group members made sure we did not feel excluded.
In our four and a half days on Jersey, we visited two castles, two Museums (Maritime and Country Life), two private gardens, the Jersey war tunnels, Gerald Durrell’s zoo, a Neolithic grave with mediaeval chapel, the Botanic Gardens (and house), the Pearl Showroom, the Orchid Foundation, Jersey Lavender and (an unscheduled extra) four churches.
As you can imagine, it was a packed itinerary, so I will pick just a few high points for special mention.
The Country Life Museum: we drank copious amounts of their cider, made in the traditional way with horse and manual labour and it was delicious!
The Pearl Showroom: I am cheating here, as pearls are not for me, so we wandered off and found a glorious beach. The sky was blue, the sun was shining (I’m sure YANT organised that), we bought a Jersey ice cream from a handy van. There was almost nobody on the wide stretch of sand. We walked as far as we could in the time available, and I am still treating my sunburn - serves me right for forgetting a hat!
The Orchid Foundation: Expecting a rather tedious display of plants in pots, we were delighted with a huge variety of orchids in a re-created natural environment, all looking staggeringly beautiful.
That said, it turned out that for us the visits were not the major attraction: it was getting there. Outside the small towns the roads are narrow, winding, and often single track. Our route each day took us to a different part of the island, through villages of bright whitewashed houses, with flowers everywhere, especially agapanthus as big as bowling balls and huge hydrangea.
We passed granite farmhouses, Jersey cows, fields of potatoes, and woodlands sometimes so dense that the trees met overhead, blocking out the light. And, popping into view around the next corner, always the ever-changing seascape.
Special thanks for showing us the countryside must go to our driver, Daniel Bout, a wiry Frenchman of about our age, who handled the coach as if it were part of him. There were audible gasps on some U bends when we thought contact with a tree or wall, or plunging into the abyss, was inevitable, but Daniel swung that coach around as if he had been doing it all his life - which perhaps he had.
So, would I go to Jersey again? Probably not. Would I travel with YANT again? Definitely Yes.
And in case you are wondering, we sold the sofa.
Jean Richards Stewart
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Holiday Itinerary: Jersey
2nd – 7th July 2022
from £1,695.00
Saturday 2 July 2022
We depart by coach from York and transfer to Leeds Bradford Airport in time for our afternoon flight direct to Jersey, (dep 1405 / arr 1520). On arrival we will be met by our coach and transfer to our comfortable accommodation at Pomme d’Or Hotel, St Helier. A welcome drink followed by dinner is served in the evening.
Sunday 3 July 2022
Enjoy your breakfast. We begin our exploration of Jersey with a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels, an award-winning exhibition based in a former underground hospital which tells the story of Jersey’s occupation by the Nazis in World War Two. We continue to Mont Orgueil Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Britain, which stood as the first line of defence against French invasion after the fall of Rouen in 1204. Our final visit is to the Maritime Museum, which tells of Jersey’s close association with the sea. We return to our hotel where dinner is served in the evening.
Monday 4 July 2022
This morning we visit Jersey Zoo, which was established in 1959 by naturalist and author Gerald Durrell. The zoo has always concentrated on rare and endangered species and is home to mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, comprising over 130 species. While we are here we will have a talk from one of the keepers on a particular animal such as gorillas or orang-utans. Later we visit the Hamptonne Country Life Museum, which offers a unique insight into the rural life of Jersey over the centuries. Dating back to the 15th Century the house and farm are brought to life with characters from the Island’s past.
In the afternoon we visit museum of La Hougue Bie. The site features one of Europe's finest passage graves where we can learn about life in Jersey's Neolithic community 6,000 years ago. A medieval chapel sits on top of the prehistoric mound and dolmen dominating this tranquil and spiritual site. Unlike many other dolmens you can stand inside the chamber of the passage grave and feel the heart of this place of worship. Other exhibits include a replica Neolithic Longhouse, coin hoards, axes, swords and spears, as well as a command bunker built during the German Occupation, housing a unique memorial to the slave-workers who were brought to the Channel Islands by invading Nazi forces during the Second World War. Dinner is served in the evening.
Tuesday 5 July 2022
Creux Baillot Cottage Garden, tucked away in a picturesque valley in St Ouen is an award-winning RHS Partner garden which contains many rare and unusual plants, most are herbaceous perennials from all over the world; all nurtured organically. A large bog garden accessed by a wooden walkway is home to plants such as Irises, Primulas, Lobelias and Trollius. Around the 400 year old cottage the drier conditions are loved by plants like Salvias and Geraniums. A large collection of sculpture adds interest and drama. A tour which is fun and informative is included.
We continue to Jersey Pearl Showroom, the perfect place to treat yourself to something special, the pearl showroom is full of surprises with lots to see, try and inspire. Don’t forget to take a picture standing next to a replica of Princess Diana’s pearl dress; it’s one of their favourite attractions! Pearl jewellery with classic and modern designs, to enjoy as you explore the vast showroom.
We drop by to see a potter at work!
Andrew Sinclair, handmade Jersey Pottery. His love of working in ceramics began while at school and this passion led to an invitation to study Studio Pottery at Edinburgh Art College under the direction of practising potters, Katie Horseman and Dave Cohen. Following this, he completed a teacher training course and taught art for many years. Since retirement the dream of becoming a studio potter became a reality. He specialises in functional and sculptural stoneware pottery, producing work mainly for exhibitions, private commissions and local outlets. Hand-thrown teapots and bottles are a particular interest of his with each piece taking on a character of its own.
Domain Des Vaux, these beautiful gardens were created in the early 1970s by Sir George and Lady Binney and have been extended and developed by the present owners Mr and Mrs Marcus Binney, and are now set in some 20 vergees of gardens and woodland. The valley contains many large specie trees, a magnificent camellia wood with over 40 varieties of the shrubs, azaleas, Japanese maples and several ponds. The ‘Arena’ garden in front of this pink granite Jersey farmhouse is on different levels and planted in silver and grey on one side of the border and gold, yellow and bronze on the other. There is also a white garden with its ‘Iceberg’ roses, and Mediterranean, kitchen and herb gardens to explore. Dinner is served in the hotel this evening.
Wednesday 6 July 2022
We visit the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, which has an outstanding collection of orchids and has won gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show. We can admire the sheer diversity of this most extravagant and flamboyant of all flowers in a purpose-built display facility.
Samares Botanical Garden, The Botanic Gardens are privately owned by Seigneur de Samarès, Vincent Obbard. They are a development of gardens created in the 1920s by Sir James Knott. The gardens are diverse in style, extensive, tranquil and peaceful including a renowned herb garden and Japanese garden. The manor house and a rural life museum are open to the public. There is also an on-site café, gift shop and plant centre.
Our final visit is to Elizabeth Castle at St Aubin’s Bay, which has defended Jersey for more than 300 years. We will see the battlements dating back to the 1590s, when Sir Walter Raleigh was Governor of Jersey from 1600 until 1603, explore the grounds which gave refuge to King Charles II during the English Civil War and uncover the bunkers which were re-fortified to command the sea approaches to Jersey during the German Occupation in World War II. Dinner is served in the hotel this evening.
Thursday 7 July 2022
This morning, following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and depart for a visit to the Jersey Lavender Farm (Farm Talk with oil smelling included) you will have time to enjoy lunch (not included) before leaving for the airport for our afternoon flight back to Leeds Bradford (dep 1455 / arr 1610). On arrival we are met by our coach to return us safely back to York.