The Channel Islands are magical islands nestling in the Bay of Mont St. Michel only 15 miles from the French coast. Warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream, Spring arrives early and Summer lingers on. The weather here consistently tops the UK resort charts for sunshine hours and temperature.

The islands are well known for their truly magnificent sandy beaches, sheltered coves and crystal clear waters. Inland, winding lanes take you through delightful countryside.

The French flavour is all around with French sounding names, continental style bistros, restaurants and pavement cafes. You do not need a passport to visit the Channel Islands unless you intend taking a day trip to France which is a short hop away by sea or air. You will need proof of identity for flights and sea travel to the island. There is a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK. English money is used, and with drinks and cigarettes at duty free prices you will enjoy shopping in the many interesting shops of St. Helier and St. Peter Port.

There is plenty to do in the islands, whether it's a visit to the entertainment complex at Fort Regent in Jersey and Beau Sejour in Guernsey, Jersey's world famous zoo and pottery, or the many others attractions the islands have to offer.

All in all, the Channel Islands are unique places to visit that are safe, clean and dedicated to ensuring that you enjoy your stay.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Jersey is famous as a good food Island. There are more restaurants per square mile on Jersey than in most major cities with menus to suit all tastes and all pockets and they range from good pub grub to the most prestigious gourmet cuisine. Obviously local seafood - plaice, lobsters, crab and oysters feature strongly as do other Jersey products most notably the renowned Jersey Royal potato - fresh vegetables and of course Jersey butter, milk and cream. Jersey also produces it own Good Eating Guide.

JERSEY HAS THE CLEANEST BATHING WATER IN EUROPE - AND THAT'S OFFICIAL

he Ultra-Violet disinfection plant, the first large scale plant of it's kind in Europe, ensures that the Jersey water outfall meets the Guide Standard of the EC Bathing Water Directive. Professor David Bellamy says that the system combats waste control in a highly efficient manner and is keen that the Jersey project becomes a blueprint for tourist destinations around the world.

CLOSER TO FRANCE - NEARER TO HOME

Despite being only 14 miles from the French coast all your normal English services are available in the islands including the National Banks. We have our own currency but it is compatible with English money so there is no tedious exchange to go through. We have some English Supermarkets and our own smaller shops to ensure that all familiar foods and some not so familiar are readily available to you.

English papers are delivered by plane first thing in the morning on the day of printing, so you are not deprived of all your favourite news stories and magazine articles. English TV is available in all accommodations so you won't miss your preferred soap or series, and there are betting shops for those who wish to have a flutter.

When it comes to food the Channel Islands combine the best of both worlds. For those who like to tuck in the way they do at home there are hearty cooked breakfasts, ploughmans lunches, strawberries and cream and mouth-watering cream teas. But for those looking for something different there's the very best in seafood - Moules Mariniere, Lobster, Crayfish and Oysters - as well as good wines and a clutch of top-notch restaurants that remind you that the French coast is just a few miles away.

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS TO JERSEY

TELEPHONE The code for Jersey is 01534 from the British Isles or ++ 44 1534 from other Countries.

BANKS The main clearing banks normally open the same hours as the UK, Monday - Friday, some open Saturday mornings. Building Societies facilities are restricted. There are Link card machines in St. Helier, St. Peter and St. Saviour but no counter service is available. Cash transactions through Building Societies differ from those in the UK and Ireland. Please check with your Society before departure.

BRINGING YOUR OWN CAR Visitors must possess a Certificate of Insurance or an International Green Card, a valid Driving Licence or International Driving Permit (UK International Driving Permits are not valid). Photocopies are not acceptable. The vehicle registration should be carried and a nationality plate must be displayed on your vehicle.

CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES As Jersey is not part of the EU the maximum allowances are:- 200 Cigarettes or 100 Cigarillos or 50 Cigars or 250grms of Tobacco, 2 litres of still table wine, 2 litres Spirits (+22% volume), 1 litre or Fortified Sparkling Wine, 2 litres of Liqueurs or 2 litres of Additional still Table Wine. Persons under 17 years are not entitled to tobacco or alcohol allowances. 60 cc/ml Perfume, 250 cc/ml Toilet Water. The maximum personal allowance for other goods, including gifts is £145. This may not be combined with other members of the travelling party. Items in excess are liable to VAT.

CURRENCY British money is freely accepted in the Island. Other currencies can be changed at a bank. All major credit and debit cards are accepted. Some shops accept Euros.

DISABLED FACILITIES Your can use your "Orange Badge" in the Island. All public toilets for disabled persons have Radar locks - so do not forget to bring your badge and key with you. If you do, you can hire a key from our Visitor Services Centre and St. Helier Town Hall.

ELECTRICITY 240 volts AC. UK sockets in use.

GETTING MARRIED IN JERSEY As a result of changes in Jersey Law, you can now be married in the Island as the period of notice required by the Superintendent Registrar has been reduced. You are now able to register your intention to marry by post, rather than in person. Once formal application has been made, couples can go to the Registrar on arrival in Jersey and marry within three working days. If you are in the Island on holiday, the period of notice is ten days. For further information please contact the Superintendent Registrar on Tel: 01534 502335 or obtain a leaflet from Jersey Tourism. Click to go to the Wedding section, on jersey.com

LICENSING HOURS At the discretion of the proprietor, Public Bars are open to persons over 18 between the following hours: Weekdays 09.00 - 23.00, Sunday 11.00 - 23.00. The Licensing Assembly may also permit children under the age of 18 in public bars up to 21.00 if accompanied by an adult.

PARKING Single yellow lines indicate that parking is prohibited day and night and is liable to a fine. Payment for parking in St. Helier is by paycard and wherever the symbol is displayed. The paycards can be purchased in advance from Post Offices, garages and shops displaying the paycard symbol but not in the car parks themselves apart from Sand Street. Instructions for use are printed on the cards. In some roads on the outskirts of St. Helier parking is free, but controlled by parking discs - obtainable from the Town Hall or Jersey Tourism. A disc is not required in the evening and on Sundays. Free disabled parking is allowed if you are an "Orange Badge" holder in designated areas. A map is available from the Town Hall and our Visitor Services Centre

PASSPORTS No passport is required for visitors travelling from the British Isles and the Republic of Ireland. However, a ten year passport is required for day trips to France. Most air and sea carriers require Photographic ID.

PETS If you are visiting Jersey from the British Isles or the Republic of Ireland, you can bring your pet with you - provided of course that pets are allowed at your holiday accommodation. For other areas ‘Pet Scheme’ regulations apply. From May to September between 10.30-18.00 dogs on beaches must be on a lead.

POST OFFICES The main Post Office is in Broad Street, St. Helier, with a network of sub-Post Offices located throughout the Island. Jersey postage stamps must be used on all mail posted from Jersey.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS As in the United Kingdom, with the addition of Liberation Day, 9th May.

SHOPPING HOURS The markets and some shops are closed on Thursday afternoons, otherwise normal shopping hours apply, and in the main season a number of shops will remain open in the evenings. There is limited Sunday trading in Jersey.

VISITORS MEDICAL TREATMENT Reciprocal health agreements exist between Jersey and Australia, Austria, Barbados, France, Guernsey/Alderney, Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK and Isle of Man. The General Hospital provides a morning health clinic for residents of these countries free of charge. The B.K.P.A. Holiday Dialysis Centre is available to visitors from May to September. Please contact Doctor N. A. G. Leadbeatter Tel: 01534 725888. The centre Number is Tel: 743211. In addition the renal unit at the General Hospital provides year round holiday treatment Tel: 759000. Please note doctors in Jersey are in private practice and you would be liable to pay the full cost of treatment and any medicines prescribed. Holiday medical insurance is recommended. Visitors Clinic, Le Bas Centre, St. Saviours Road, by appointment, tel: 616833.

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS TO GUERNSEY

TELEPHONE The code for Guernsey is 01481 from the British Isles or +44 1481 from other countries.

BANKS The main clearing banks normally open the same hours as the UK, Monday - Friday, some open Saturday mornings. Building Societies facilities are restricted. Cash transactions through Building Societies differ from those in the UK and Ireland. Please check with your Society before departure.

BRINGING YOUR OWN CAR Visitors must possess a Certificate of Insurance or an International Green Card, a valid Driving Licence or International Driving Permit (UK International Driving Permits are not valid). Photocopies are not acceptable. A nationality plate must be displayed on your vehicle. Please note you are not able to buy petrol on a Sunday. The maximum speed limit in the island is 35mph, in and around the town the limit is 25mph. A Quiet Lane Initiative, know as the Green Lane system, has recently been introduced in rural parishes, here the maximum speed limit is 15mph and priority should be given to walker, horse and cyclists.

CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES As Guernsey is not part of the EU the maximum allowances are:- 200 Cigarettes or 100 Cigarillos or 50 Cigars or 250grms of Tobacco, 2 litres of still table wine, 2 litres Spirits (+22% volume), 1 litre or Fortified Sparkling Wine, 2 litres of Liqueurs or 2 litres of Additional still Table Wine. Persons under 17 years are not entitled to tobacco or alcohol allowances. 60 cc/ml Perfume, 250 cc/ml Toilet Water. The maximum personal allowance for other goods, including gifts is £145. This may not be combined with other members of the travelling party. Items in excess are liable to VAT.

CURRENCY British money is freely accepted in the Island. Other currencies can be changed at a bank. All major credit and debit cards are accepted.

DISABLED FACILITIES Your can use your "Orange Badge" in the Island. Rules governing the use of Orange Badges and a list of designated parking areas are available from the States Traffic Committee’s Office 243400.

ELECTRICITY 240 volts AC. UK sockets in use.

GETTING MARRIED IN GUERNSEY Information may be obtained from the Guernsey Greffe, Telephone: +44 (0)1481 725277.

LICENSING HOURS Public bars are open Monday - Saturday 10:00 – 23:45. Nightclubs are open 22:00 – 02:00. On a Sunday, bars which hold a family permit can open between 12 noon and 15:30. They can also open in the evenings between 18:00 – 23:00 but patrons must purchase a meal.

PARKING Single yellow lines indicate that parking is prohibited day and night and is liable to a fine. All public parking is free, but the majority of on and off street parking places are marked ’disc Zones’ where differing time limits apply. Parking clocks must be set from the time you park your vehicle and you must not parks for longer than the specified period, unless that period ends after 18:00, when you may park until 08:00 the following day. There are clocks available at the Tourist Information Centre, the Police Station, and many garages and shops.

PASSPORTS No passport is required for visitors travelling from the British Isles and the Republic of Ireland. However, a ten year passport is required for day trips to France. Most sea and air carriers require photographic ID.

PETS If you are visiting Guernsey from the British Isles or the Republic of Ireland, you can bring your pet with you - provided of course that pets are allowed at your holiday accommodation. Pets with a pet passport can travel from St. Malo.

POST OFFICES The main Post Office is in Smith Street, St. Peter Port, with a network of sub-Post Offices located throughout the Island. Guernsey postage stamps must be used on all mail posted from Guernsey.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS As in the United Kingdom, with the addition of Liberation Day, 9th May.

SHOPPING HOURS The markets and some shops are closed on Thursday afternoons, otherwise normal shopping hours apply, and in the main season a number of shops will remain open in the evenings. Only convenience stores open on a Sunday. Please note alcohol cannot be purchased on a Sunday in shops.

VISITORS MEDICAL TREATMENT The National Health Service does not operate in Guernsey. Most doctors are in private practice and patients are required to pay for treatment. There is a charge for the ambulance service. The acute hospital in Guernsey is the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH), which is operated by the Board of Health. Hospital accommodation and medical services are provided free of charge to visitors from the UK under the Reciprocal Health Agreement. If further information is needed about health matters, please contact the Board of Health, Telephone: +44 (0)1481 725421.

E. & O. E.

   
 
   

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