Heritage Opens Days 2023

Heritage Open Days

16th and 17th September

Heritage Open Days celebrate the Island’s built heritage and specifically those properties gifted to the National Trust for Jersey, by allowing free access to historic and unique properties that are not usually open or would normally charge an entrance fee.

The event is part of the national celebration of architecture, history, and culture in association with the National Trust in the UK and is a wonderful opportunity to explore and enjoy these sometimes hidden, often curious and always interesting places.

For many years, the Trust has strongly advocated the principle of "Discover, Enjoy and Protect", which recognises that our historic built environment needs to be accessible if it is to be valued by our community.

Opening the doors on our tenanted properties gives people not only an opportunity to discover and enjoy Jersey’s rich architectural heritage but also gain a greater insight into the work of the trust and why we are so passionate about protecting these buildings for the future benefit of our Island.

We hope that the work we have undertaken at such projects as Morel Farm, New Street and the Foot Buildings demonstrates the value and necessity of traditional skills.

However, the Trust is increasingly aware that traditional craftsmanship and skills are being gradually eroded by mechanisation, particularly in the field of joinery. The trust is hoping to work with a few partners in the

near future to help address this issue so as to ensure we have the right skill base to look after and maintain Jersey’s historic estate for many years to come.

The Island's participation is supported locally by the Jersey Community Foundation with funds from the Channel Islands Lottery and it takes place over the weekend of 16 and 17 September.

A varied programme sees some of the Island's most historically significant properties open free to the public with walks and cycle tours, an art exhibition by ArtHouse Jersey, demonstrations of traditional skills at The Elms and an afternoon tea with live entertainment at La Vallette.

Programme of Activity

10am to 4pm

Please follow directional signs.

Saturday

The Elms.

The Elms in St Maryheadquarters of the National Trust for Jersey - was bequeathed to the charity in 1975 by Nicolle Perrée. The property comprises a main dwelling house, subsidiary farmhouse, an extensive range of outbuildings including a boulangerie (bakehouse) and pressoir (cider barn) a walled garden and cider apple orchard.

‘Meet the Experts’

11 – 2pm – Come along to the Walled Garden to meet Judith Queree, from Judith Queree’s Garden. Judith will answer your questions on wildlife gardening and horticulture generally.

11. 30 – 2.30pm - Antony Gibb, Historic Buildings Consultant can answer your questions about owning an old property. Bring along a picture of any issue for discussion.

10 to 1pm – V& V Stonemasons will be on hand to demonstrate traditional building skills.

Address: The Elms, La Chevre Rue, St Mary, JE3 3EN

Parking: Top Field (please follow directional signs)

Le Rât.

Set in an unspoilt valley in St Lawrence, Le Rât is a fine example of local vernacular architecture of the 16th or early 17th century. Purchased by the trust in 1937 for £200, the cottage was sensitively renovated in the late 1990s.

Address: Le Rat, Mont L’Evesque, St Lawrence

Parking: St Lawrence Primary School Car Park

Bellozanne Abbey.

Despite its name being a misnomer - no such abbey existed in Jersey -, Bellozanne Abbey off Grande Route de Mont à l'Abbé, is of considerable archaeological and historic significance. Constructed on the Fief of the Abbot of Bellozanne, the two-storey, five-bay granite farmhouse has rare medieval features.

Address: Bellozanne Abbey, Mont à L’Abbé, St Helier

Parking: WestHill Country Hotel

Les Côtils Farm.

This farm complex in rural St Helier comprises a main house, pressoir, stables, pigsties and potato store and was bequeathed to the trust in 2003 by Donald Le Brun. The main house has undergone a comprehensive programme of renovation and refurbishment.

Address: Les Cotils Farm, La Rue des Cotils, Mont à L’Abbé, St Helier.

Parking: Field at Les Cotils. Please note only the main house will be open for viewing

Morel Farm.

This Grade 2 listed farmstead was the first property gifted to the trust in 1939. It comprises a farmhouse, pressoir and bakehouse and several other outbuildings. The farmstead was fully restored in 2023 with funding from the States of Jersey Fiscal Stimulus Fund to create three self-catering units.

Address: Morel Farm, La Rue de la Fontaine, St Lawrence.

Parking: Field Opposite arch on La Rue de la Fontaine. The Farmhouse will be open for viewing. Although free, to manage numbers this property will be ticketed. Please visit www. nationaltrust.je or Eventbrite

WWII Occupation relics

In addition to trust properties, the Jersey Fortification Study Group will be opening a World War Two German water storage bunker at Sands in St Ouen's Bay. Also known as the RN High Tower it is part of a network of Occupation fortifications on the west coast.

Address: Water Storage

Bunker, Sands, La Grande Route des Mielles

Parking: Public Car Park next to Sands. Look out for the National Trust flags

10am to 2pm

Heritage Trails

field. Follow signs

Duration: 2 hours/Moderate

walking

Bus Route: 7

Guide: Sue Gorin

Price: Free but booking required – www. nationaltrust.je or Eventbrite

Cycle Tour Around Heritage Open Day Properties

Join Cycle Tour Guide Nicky Mansell on a circular cycle ride around some of the properties open as part of Heritage Open Day; The route will be on cycle paths and small lanes through St Peter’s Valley and the lanes of the west. We will be able to go into the properties and hopefully find a cake spot en route.

Time: 10.00a.m.

Meeting: The Gunsite Cafe

Duration: 3 hours

Guide: Nicky Mansell

Price: Free -booking required www.nationaltrust.je or Eventbrite

Guide: Ian Ronayne

Price: Free - booking required – www.nationaltrust.je or Eventbrite

Tea in a Teepee

- Afternoon Tea at La Vallette

Enjoy homemade cakes or scones, jam and cream and hot drinks in a delightful teepee tent in the lovely garden at La Vallette. At the end of a long track, the old farmstead can be found in a sheltered position –La Vallette means ‘the little valley’. It seems likely that there has been a house on this spot from as early as the C16. Although the house will not be open, visitors can enjoy the garden and the exterior of the house and listen to live music performed by ‘Harmonious Friends.

Address: La Vallette, La Rue des Barraques, St John

Parking: In the main field off La Rue des Barraques

Look out for the National Trust flag

Food consumed will be at own expense.

The Lanes and Pathways

Surrounding The Elms

Join family history guide Sue Gorin on a wonderful circular walk around the lanes of St Mary and the top of St Peter’s Valley. Find the tracks which were once said to be our roads and discover how each family of the parish would take a part in mending and repairing these roads.

Time: 10.00a.m.

Meeting: The Elms

Parking: Parking in the top

Buried history: Almorah Cemetery stories. The sprawling Almorah Cemetery high above St Helier is filled with fading monuments recalling fascinating people, events and stories from our Island’s rich recent history. Discover some of them on this ramble around the graves with historian Ian Ronayne, from lost boys to flu victims and from Jesuits to Jersey Garrison.

Time: 2.00p.m.

Meeting: Outside main cemetery

Parking: Limited outside cemetery

Duration: 2 hours/Moderate walking Bus Route: 5

Home-making, Hay-making

An ArtHouse Jersey pop up exhibition at Greve de Lecq Barracks featuring the work of Oliver Le Gresley. On display will be a series of ink drawings exploring the physicality of agricultural labour, and how this leads to a sense of place and belonging.

Address: Greve de Lecq

Barracks, Greve de Lecq, St Mary Parking: Greve de Lecq Barracks

Programme of Activity

10am to 4pm

Sunday 17 September

Bike Tour Around the East

Join husband and wife team, Andy and Lucy from Lakeys Bike Tours, on a fun cycle route out east taking in some of the open properties. The tour will finish with a picnic at Victoria Tower, so please bring along a packed lunch. E-bikes are available to hire for the tour from https://www.lakeys.co.uk/ bookyourbikehire

Time: 10.00a.m.

Meeting: Lakey’s Bike Hire, 23 The Esplanade

Duration: 3 hours

Bike Hire: a discounted rate of £38per bike (usually £50). Bike Hirers are welcome to keep the bikes for the rest of the day and return any time before 5pm.

Guide: Andy & Lucy Horsfall from Lakeys Bike Hire

Price: Free but booking required - www. nationaltrust.je or Eventbrite

La Ronde Porte

A two-storey farmhouse on Grande Route de St Martin, La Ronde Port was bequeathed to the trust in 2022 by the will of Philip Le Sueur. The farmhouse,

Foot Buildings

It took a ten-year campaign and two years of painstaking restoration work totalling £1.5m to secure the future of three modest but important early 19th century town houses in Pitt Street. Colloquially known as the Foot Buildings, they included a former music store run by Francis Foot, a gramophone dealer and photographer who documented Jersey life in the early 1900s. It has been turned into a coffee shop (Locke's Café). Flats, 4, 5 and 6 will be open to view along with the Café.

Address: The Foot Buildings in Pitt Street, St Helier

Parking: Parking in Sand Street or other public car parks.

which is set back from the main road, has adjoining, and attached outbuildings and a farmyard. There are also pigsties connecting to a twostorey bakehouse that retains a corbelled fireplace with bread oven.

Address: La Ronde Porte, Les Grands Chemins, St. Saviour

Parking: St Michael’s School, La Rue de la Hougette, with a free shuttle to and from La Ronde Porte.

Furze Cottage

With incredible views across Jersey’s North Coast and Bonne Nuit Bay, Furze Cottage was built in 1904 and was a former Bailiff’s summer retreat. It has since been completely refurbished with a modern extension, linked to the existing property by a glass atrium. The cottage is now a privately owned house featuring 6 reception rooms,

4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with stunning sea views from almost every room in the house. This is a rare opportunity to see this property set in a wonderful location and to see how an old historic property can be updated and adapted to suit modern day living.

Address: Furze Cottage, Les Nouvelles Charrières, St John

Parking: Parking on Les Nouvelles Charrières

Wakofest Personnel bunker and water storage tank

The Jersey Fortification Study Group will be opening the Wakofest personnel bunker and water storage tank at El Tico in St Ouen's Bay. Members of the group will be on site to explain the history of these Occupation relics.

Address: El Tico, La Grande Route des Mielles

Parking: El Tico or car parks in the vicinity

Look out for the National Trust flags!

Transformer Station

The Transformer Station in Chemin des Maltières, Grouville, known as OT substation, Le Bourg, is located near the car park below the Queen’s Valley Reservoir, only some 3m back from La Rue du Moulin de Bas, and was built in the German occupation by Organisation Todt. The Sub Station or “Schalthaus” was one of 3 located on the Island, but sadly it is the last remaining example, with the others being demolished in the late 70s.

Address: Chemin des Maltières, Grouville

Parking: Lower Car Park –Queen’s Valley Reservoir

Look out for the National Trust Flag

Heritage Trails

Historic Farmsteads

Join your guide Sue Gorin on a circular country ramble from Brook Farm in St Martin to the newly acquired farmstead, La Ronde Porte in St Saviour. Find out all about the families that lived and worked in these wonderful historic properties.

Time: 10.00a.m.

Meeting: Outside Brook Farm

Parking: Parking in the field

Opposite Brook Farm

Duration: 2 hours/Moderate walking

Bus Route: 3 (to Midland Stores and a short walk)

Guide: Sue Gorin

Price: Free but booking required

The Lost Towers of St Ouen’s Bay

The magnificent sweep of St Ouen’s Bay contains numerous fortifications from several periods of Jersey’s history. But several of the most important and imposing are missing today – lost in time to nature and the needs of others. Discover the story of the eight towers of St Ouen in a walk along the bay with historian Ian Ronayne, including those that remain and those that have been lost.

Time: 2.00 p.m.

Meeting: Lewis Tower

Parking: Les Laveurs Car Park

Duration: 2.5 hours/Easy walking though some walking through low sand dunes and over broken ground

Guide: Ian Ronayne

Price: Free - booking required

Heritage Town Trail

This walk, led by architectural historian Stuart Fell, looks at some of the architectural delights and curiosities of the St Helier town centre, and will explore the transition from traditional ‘historic’ buildings to modern architecture. A particular focus will be the idiosyncratic work of local architect Adolphus Curry, whose buildings defy architectural convention.

Time: 2.00 p.m.

Meeting: Royal Square – by the George II statue

Guide: Stuart Fell

Parking: Car Parks in St Helier

Price: Free - booking required

Sue Wheeler unveiling the Don Wheeler sign at the Transformer Station with her family,  Nick, Phil and Louise on her 80th birthday

IN A TEEPEE

AFTERNOON TEA AT LA VALLETTE

Heritage Open Days

Saturday 16th September

Enjoy homemade cakes or scones, jam and cream and hot drinks in a delightful teepee tent in the lovely garden at La Vallette. At the end of a long track, the old farmstead can be found in a sheltered position – La Vallette means ‘the little valley’. It seems likely that there has been a house on this spot from as early as the C16. Although the house will not be open, visitors can enjoy the garden and the exterior of the house and listen to live music performed by ‘Harmonious Friends.'

Address: La Vallette, La Rue des Barraques, St John

Parking: In the main field off La Rue des Barraques

Look out for the National Trust flag Food consumed will be at own expense.