Hotels in Jersey, Channel Islands

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands with an area of about 117 sq km (45 sq mi) and is located to the far southeast of the group, near the coast of Normandy, France. The island features steep rocky headlands, a deeply indented coastline and an interior tableland broken by numerous valleys with elevations up to 150 m (500 ft) above sea level.

The island was first settled in prehistoric times, and there are some megalithic monuments relating to this period of settlement. Occupied successively by the Romans and Normans, there is an 11th century parish church, a late 16th century castle, and an early 19th century fort, all to be found in St Helier. In 1781 the town was the scene of a battle in which the French unsuccessfully sought to capture Jersey, but apart from the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War, Jersey has remained in the possession of the English Crown.

The Channel Islands have a low rate of taxation, and as a result Jersey is now an important offshore financial and banking centre. Dairy farming, agriculture, fishing and tourism are all mainstays of the economy, and the warm climate and beauty of the island make it a top destination for holidaymakers.