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Visit Elizabeth Castle, a fortress just off the coast of Jersey to explore 400 years of history
Opening times
- Occasionally wind and tide conditions mean we have to make changes to our opening times. If in doubt please call before your visit +44 (0) 1534 634048
- 2024
- 1 November 2024 to 18 March 2025 Closed
Pricing
Unless you are a group of 10 or more there is no need to book ahead, please purchase your tickets from our ticket office at each site on the day of your visit.
Jersey Heritage Members go FREE – become a Member today.
Children aged under 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult or responsible person aged 16+
- Castle and Castle Ferry
- Adult (16+) £23.95
- Child or student £15.95
- Senior (65+) £22.95
- Family ticket £71.80
- Castle only
- Adult (16+) £18.95
- Child or student £10.95
- Senior (65+) £17.95
- Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children or students) £53.80
- Children under 6 FREE
Location
- Address Les Jardins de la Mer, West Park, St Helier
- Phone +44 (0) 1534 634048
- Directions Please be aware that the Elizabeth Castle Ferry kiosk is at the Westpark Slip directly across from the Grand Hotel
- Parking Paid parking available in St Helier
- Parking in Jersey For guidance read this
- Bus route 7, 8,9,12a,15 and 22
- Cycle route 1
- What3words location finder messing.genres.isolated
Facilities
- Access Read our access statement here
- Visual story Read our visual story here
- WIFI Available on site
- Gift shop The Jersey Heritage gift shop, selling gifts and souvenirs, is on-site and located at the Castle Ferry kiosk
- Payment Can be made by debit, credit card (not Amex), in sterling
- Dogs No dogs allowed, except assistance dogs. Read our policy here
- Take a break bags Fidget and sensory toys to help anyone who needs to take a break whilst on-site
Groups
Prices
Discounted entry is applicable to booked groups of 10+ or more adults or seniors (combination thereof). There is no requirement to book if your group is fewer than 10 people.
Castle and Ferry Castle only
Adult £20.35 £16.10
Senior £19.50 £15.25
Child/Student £15.95 £10.95
Jersey Schools
Please email us.
Group Tours
Private guided tours can be arranged by advanced booking – £65 per tour – duration approx. 1 hr.
Leaflets available at entrance (£1) provide a brief history and guide to the site.
There is no coach parking on-site. Please speak with your coach operator regarding drop-off and pickup points.
Interpretation Language
External signs in English and French
Visitor booklet (£1) in English, French and German
Elizabeth Castle mobile app in English, French and German
Discounts
10% discount for non-pre booked groups of 10 or more adults or seniors (at our discretion)
Disabled visitors pay the normal admission rate and we offer free admission for up to two carers.
Jersey Heritage offers free or reduced price entry to the following groups:
- Museums Association Members
- International Council of Museums (ICOM) members
- Société Jersiaise Members
- Friends of Manx National Heritage
- Réseau des Musées de Normandie – Muséopass Card
Refreshments
The Castle Café has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. It provides the perfect the setting for a locally produced cake or light lunch. We have carefully sourced the best local suppliers to provide delicious cakes and savoury light bites, which accompany our freshly prepared sandwiches, salad boxes and daily specials.
10% off for Jersey Heritage Members (please show your Fob or Patron/Benefactor card when making your purchase).
Built on a tidal Island in St Aubin’s Bay and dating from the 16th century onwards, the castle defended Jersey for more than 400 years.
At Elizabeth Castle Jersey, spend your day exploring this sprawling 15-acre fortress: climb the battlements dating back to the time Sir Walter Raleigh was Governor of Jersey; explore the grounds that gave refuge to King Charles II during the English Civil War; uncover the story of the Castle during the German Occupation in World War II; then discover the oldest part of this site, The Hermitage, where Saint Helier is thought to have lived around 550 A.D. You will step back in time to 1781 and meet the Castle Gunner who will tell you his story of the Battle of Jersey, but be prepared to be drafted into the Midday Parade and witness the firing of the musket and cannon.
Elizabeth Castle is closed until 18 March 2025, visit Mont Orgueil Castle instead, it’s open 10am to 4pm every day.
Arrival
How To Get To Elizabeth Castle
Elizabeth Castle is built on a tidal Island in St Aubin’s Bay in St Helier and is cut off by the tide twice a day. To reach the Castle and begin your adventure, at low tide you can walk along the causeway or take the amphibious Castle Ferry which runs all day when the Castle is open to the public. Occasionally wind and tide conditions mean we have to make changes to our opening times.
Learn the History of Elizabeth Castle
Elizabeth Castle has many chapters to its story, including residents such as Sir Walter Raleigh, King Charles II and German occupying forces, but its history dates back as far as the 6th century to St Helier, who Jersey’s capital is named after. A hermit called Helibert lived in the hermitage on the islet where the Castle is built. He was murdered and later made into a saint called St Helier. Islanders make an annual pilgrimage to the hermitage and it is a fascinating part of the Castle grounds for visitors to explore.
The first building on the islet was an abbey, named after Helibert and founded in 1155. It was soon downgraded to a priory and later abandoned. Fast forward to the late 16th century and a fortress was being built, taking over the main defence of Jersey once gunpowder and cannon were introduced and the medieval castle of Mont Orgueil on the east coast was no longer up to the job. Raleigh, who was Governor of Jersey from 1600-1603, later named the new castle after his Queen; Fort Isabella Bellissima, or Elizabeth Castle Jersey. Read more…
Protecting Fort Elizabeth’s History For The Future.
Jersey Heritage is currently restoring parts of the Castle to bring them back into public use and you’ll see scaffolding around two important, historic buildings – the Georgian Military Hospital and the Officers’ Quarters. This work is essential to secure the Castle’s future and you can find out more about what’s in store for the buildings here.
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