glorious gorey

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Places to stay

Shop

Eat & drink

Glorious Gorey

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Guarded to the north by the majestic castle of

Mont Orgueil, and fringed by the soft sand of the

Royal Bay of Grouville, Gorey has something for

everyone; gourmet, history buff or sun seeker.

The natural features found here; the tall granite

mound on which the castle is built and the hook

in the coastline, which forms a natural harbour,

are the foundation of the Gorey that we see today.

For four hundred years, the castle was the seat of

island government while the port was the closest

link with the neighbouring coast of France. This made

the area important, and by the 17th century a small

village had sprung up in the shadow of the castle.

But it was at the turn of the 19 th century that the

area really began to grow. Hundreds of oyster

shermen, from the south east coast of England,

moved to Jersey following the over-shing of the

Whitstable oyster beds. Whole families moved

over, and the population of the village doubled

in size in a short space of time. Around 2,500

people were employed in the industry, either

shing or cleaning and packing the catch, and

rows of shermen’s cottages sprang up to house

the newcomers.

But the industry was not destined to last forever.

Each of the 250 Gorey boats was bringing back

around 12,000 oysters on every trip, and before

long the Gorey oyster beds became over-shed. By1864 the eet had dwindled to just over 20 boats.

During the second half of the century, the principle

livelihood of Gorey inhabitants was boat building.

The most prolic boat builder was John Picot, who

built 44 boats, between 1858 and 1883. By the

end of the century, steel had superseded wood, and

Jersey boatyards went into decline.

Today, Gorey is a haven for holiday makers

and gourmets. The safe sandy beach offers

recreation for all the family, and the number of

good pubs, cafes and restaurants ensures that

no one will go hungry.

SunriseSunset

Gorey comes from the Norse Gorroic; vorr 

meaning landing place and vic meaning a

creek. In the early 12 th century it was the

centre of a district called Gorroic.

Did you know?

What do you like about Gorey? “It’s tranquil, picturesque, andon a summers evening it couldbe the Mediterranean”Renzo Martin —The Moorings Hotel

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MontOrgueil

The castle was named Mont Orgueil,

Mount Pride, by Thomas, Duke of 

Clarence, the brother of Henry V.

Did you know?

The castle was built in the early part of the

13th century on the site of an earlier Iron Age fort.

At that time, Jersey had just become an outpost

of King John’s territory, due to the recent loss of

his lands across the water in France.

The castle had been a defensive position from

the Iron Age right up to World War II. The keep

dates from the time of King John, The Harliston

Tower from the reign of Edward IV and the tops

of the three narrow towers went up during the

German occupation.

During its long history the castle has only fallen into

enemy hands twice. In 1461, it was betrayed into

Lancastrian hands during the War of the Roses,

and during World War II when the island was

occupied by German forces.

Mont Orgueil is essentially a ‘bow and arrow’

castle, and when gunpowder was introduced

in the 16th century, it became somewhat obsolete.

It’s true that huge modications were made to

accommodate cannons, but the castle’s very

position on the hill opposite Mont St. Nicholas,

meant that it was a sitting target for any artillery

arrayed there.

We have to thank Sir Walter Raleigh for the

castle’s preservation. In letters to Queen Elizabeth

he said that it was ‘a fort of great capacity’ and

that ‘it is a pity to cast it down’. If Sir Walter

hadn’t made this plea, it’s likely that much of Mont

Orgueil would have been recycled at Elizabeth

Castle, which was being built at the time.

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Harry VardonVardon was born in Grouville, on 9th May 1870. He was the fourth of eight children born to Philip

Vardon and his wife, Elizabeth Bouchard. As a child he had little interest in golf. He only played golf

occasionally with other boys in the village, using home-made clubs and marbles.

In those days, the village school teacher was George Boomer, father of Aubrey and Percy Boomer, two

distinguished golfers. So it comes as no surprise that several village boys were encouraged in the sport,

in fact, three of the six Vardon boys went on to become professional golfers.

When Harry was seventeen he became a gardener for Major Spofforth, who was the captain of the

Royal Jersey Golf Club at the time. It was Major Spofforth who encouraged Vardon, he gave him a

couple of old clubs and some clothing, and they often played together.

It was when Harr y’s brother, Tom, won £20 in a competition that Harry considered turning professional.

Tom had told Harry that a green-keeper was required at a new links being created on Lord Ripon’sestate near Harrogate. He applied, got the job and began his professional career.

During his life, Vardon had an unparalleled number of golng victories. He won the American Open, the

German Open and the British Open, the latter no less than six times!

When golfers rst started playing on the

common, the hazards included grazing

sheep and piles of seaweed, drying out for

use as fertiliser.

Did you know?

The RailwayThe Jersey Eastern Railway Company opened for business in August 1873. At that time trains ran

from Green Street in St.Helier to Grouville Station, which still stands today, opposite the road that

leads to the Golf Club. This station serviced the rie range and the race course that were situated

on the common. Around twelve trains a day ran between St.Helier and Grouville.

The extension of the line to Gorey Village was opened a few weeks la ter, on 27th August. In September

that year, a one day fete was held at Gorey and over 2,000 people used the railway to get there.

In May 1874, a new town terminus was opened at Snow Hill. By 1881, a new railway line had opened

on the Normandy peninsula. A line ran from Carteret onto Paris and this was supported by a steamer

that ran between Gorey and Carteret. It was now possible to buy a through ticket from St.Helier to

Paris, though one had to transfer from Gorey Station to the pier by horse and cart.

It was ten years before the line was extended to the pier. Because the area between the station and the

pier was a sandy beach, anked by cliffs, a sea wall had to be built and the area behind it lled in. The

train track ran between the seawall and a new road which went to the pier.

The line ran protably for a number of years, but the introduction of buses to the island, in the 1920s,

made train travel less attractive. The company acquired a bus eet in an effort to compete, but this was

unsuccessful. They purchased two electric railcars, as these were cheaper to run, but unfortunately the

seed was sown.

In June 1929, the Jersey Eastern Railway Company stopped both its bus and train services, and

went into liquidation. The station at Snow Hill became a bus terminus in 1935, and it remained as

such until March 1964.

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Coastal DefencesThe at sandy beach along the coast was as inviting to invaders centuries ago as it is now to

visitors and at one time this part of the coast was littered with sea defences.

In Napoleonic times, there were six Jersey Round Towers here; they stretched from near

Gorey Village to the far corner of the bay at La Rocque. In addition to these there was Fort

Henry, just to our left, now used by the golf club. At the other end of the golf course is Fort

William, now a private residence.

In 1781, when the French invaded, there were ve companies of the 83 rd Regiment of Foot,

‘the Royal Glasgow Volunteers‘, stationed here. It was a company of grenadiers from Fort

Henry who attacked the French rearguard at La Rocque. In the engagement, twenty French

were killed and fourteen captured. The seven grenadiers that were killed are buried in the

graveyard at Grouville Church.

The concrete bunkers and the seawall are relics of the German Occupation. The two coastal

casements housed 105mm guns, and are of ‘fortress strength’, which means that both the

roof and sides of the bunker are made of two metre thick reinforced concrete.

During the Occupation they were painted to resemble beachs ide cottages.

The Germans also modied Fort Henry, a search light platform was built into the tower walls,

and a personnel shelter and ammunition magazine were constructed at its base.

The bunker attached to the old Salem

Chapel, at the bottom of Daisy Hill, was

built during the German Occupation to

protect the East Telephone Exchange that

was housed in the old chapel.

Did you know?

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The Ramsar SiteIn 1971, an inter-governmental treaty was signed in Ramsar, Iran, whereby a number of

countries agreed to conserve and protect their wetlands. Jersey became a member in 1976.

The rst local site was designated in 2000. This was the area that ran from St.Helier Harbour

in the south, to Gorey Harbour on the east coast. This 3200 hectare site has one of the

largest ranges of tide in the world, a rise and fall of over 12 metres. This, combined with the

warmth of local waters, because of the Gulf Stream, means that the site has a diverse range

of habitats and species within a small area.

Among the creatures found here is the Green Ormer, a single shelled gastropod that feeds

on algae. These are more usually found between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coas t of

France. Here in Jersey they are prized as a local delicacy.

The waters along this coast are often home to one of the largest breeding groups of

bottle-nosed dolphins in British waters.

“I just love the area. I grew upat Faldouet, went low watershing behind the castle, forme Gorey is an integral partof my life”Robert Jones —Jersey Pottery

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The best way to see Gorey is to take a stroll

around the area. Here are two walks, one a

shortened version, that will introduce you to this

delightful corner of Jersey.

The starting point is the bus shelter at the start

of Gorey Pier. Cross over towards the shops,

turn left and then sharp right to climb the short

path towards the castle.

At the top, turn left along the gravel track.

At the road bear left and cross over into

Haute de la Garenne. The steep elds on the left,

called ’cotils’ produce some of the earliest new

potatoes grown in the island. As we climb, take a

moment to study the dry stone wall on the right,

if it’s warm and sunny, we’ll be rewarded withthe antics of the wall lizards that live there. It’s

thought that these harmless little creatures are

descendants of lizards kept by French prisoners of

war in Napoleonic times.

At the top, turn left to follow the sign: ’Public

footpath and steps to Gorey’. The view from the

top of the hill is inspiring, the landscape that we can

see from Gorey to La Rocque, at the far corner of

the bay, is a protected conservation area.

When the steps emerge onto the hill, turn right

and walk on. At the end of the pavement, using

care, cross over and continue on the left hand

side of the road.

After the hill bends, take the foot path on the

left, down towards the village. The church

opposite, Gouray Church, is an Anglican church

built in 1834, to service the needs of the

recently arrived English oystermen and their

families. At that time, local churches conductedtheir services in French which the newcomers

couldn’t understand.

(Please see map centre pages)

In 1891 the train took 24 minutes

to reach Gorey Pier from Snow Hill in

St.Helier. The rst class return fare was

one shilling and three pence. About six

pence in today’s money.

Did you know?

Step backin time

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When the path ends, turn right and descend

into the village. Pass the Old Bank House Hotel

and take the rst left into New Road. This lane,

like Old Road, is lined with shermen’s cottages,

and was apparently called New Road because it

was surfaced before Old Road was!

Follow New Road as it curves to the right and

becomes Old Road. At the end of the lane, notice

the old petrol pump standing in the garden on the

right. This house belonged to Mr.Thomasse, the

local dustman, and the petrol pump was used to

ll up the dustcart.

Turn left and carry on through the village.  

In the past the village was certainly not short of

places to worship. Since we left the church on the

hill we have passed what was Salem Chapel, now

a private house, with a German bunker attached,

as we entered the village. At the beginning of

New Road, the brick building on the left was the

Salvation Army Citadel until 1966, and we have

 just passed a Catholic Church at the end of Old

Road. In a few yards, we shall pass the original

Catholic church, built in 1908, it eventually

became too small for the congregation. Today it

is the Village Bistro, only the crosses on the gates

give its origins away.

Continue on, passing shops, hotels and private

houses until we reach a short road on the left.

This is Union Road, sometimes known as Dairy

Road, because the curious building on the far

corner, Wisteria Cottage, was once a dairy.

If you prefer the shorter route, turn left and

walk up Union Road to the main road. Cross

carefully and once on the other side, enter the

gravel car park on the left, and make for the

standing stone on the high ground on the right.

For the longer route, walk on through the

village. On the way through look out for Les

Houmets Residential Home. In 1857, a small

cottage called ’Villa Rosa’ stood here, this was the

holiday home of the celebrated author George

Eliot and her married lover George Henry Lewes.

When the buildings peter out, we reach a

narrow tarmac path on the right. Take this

short path, and cross the road ahead, to follow

the path that runs through the common. When

the path forks, bear right. This path nally

arrives beside the main road, here we turn right

to follow the gravel path alongside the road.

Pass the lling station and at the corner, cross

over to the pavement on the far side. The

restaurant on the corner was once Grouville Post

Ofce. Follow the pavement as it approaches the

war memorial in the distance.

“The village has a great atmosphere,from the working man to the millionaireeveryone gets along well”Sean Copp —The Village Bistro

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Once past the war memorial, take the rst left,

immediately before the Harry Vardon statue, to

head towards the sea.

Exercise some caution here, as we are passing

through the links of the Royal Jersey Golf Club.

Pass the clubhouse on the right, and head towards

a gravel track at the far end of the car park. When

we reach the sea wall, turn left and continue on

beside the sea wall back towards the castle.

After passing Fort William at the end of the golf 

course, follow the sandy path as it dips

and rises towards the standing stone ahead.

Those who chose the shorter route will

rejoin us here.

The standing stone was erected in 2000, to

celebrate the Millennium. Each of the island’s

parishes has a similar stone, this being the

Grouville Millennium Stone. At the end of the

car park, turn left towards the road, and then

right to continue along the pavement. The

building on the corner was originally the water

tower for the railway that ran to Gorey, while

the building alongside was Gorey Station its elf.

Within a few yards we shall leave Grouville and be

in the parish of St.Martin. Look out for a modern

parish boundary stone set into the wall on the right.

Ruellan’s Village Inn, previously The Welcome Inn,

is the former site of the National School, which

numbered among its pupils the golfer Harry Vardon.

At the slipway bear right and walk along the

promenade back to the start.

The largest ship built at Gorey was the

365 ton barque, the ‘Montrose’, built by

George Asplet in 1861

Did you know?

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Hotels The Dolphin HotelTel: 853370 Fax: 855343

Grade HH 

Email: [email protected]

Web: ww w.dolphinhoteljersey.com

Seascale Hotel

Tel: 854395 Fax: 856795Email: [email protected]

Web: www.seascalehotel.com

The Moorings HotelGrade HHH 

Tel: 853633 Fax: 857618

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.themooringshotel.com

The Old Bank House Hotel

Grade HH

Tel: 854285 Fax: 854725

Email: [email protected]

The Maison Gorey HotelTel: 857775 Fax: 857779

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.maisongorey.com

Beausite Hotel

Grade HHH

Tel: 857577 Fax: 857277

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.southernhotels.com

The Old Court House Hotel

Grade HHH

Tel: 854444 Fax: 853587

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.ochhoteljersey.com

Guest AccommodationThe Lavender Villa HotelGrade HHHH

Tel: 854937 Fax: 856147

Email:[email protected]

Self CateringBeausite Hotel

Grade HHH 

Tel: 857577 Fax: 857277

Email:[email protected]

Web:www.southernhotels.com

Accommodation Places to Shop

GiftsJewellery Warehouse

Tel: 483390

Jersey PearlTel: 855197

Pound World

Tel: 857819

Gorey GalleryTel: 856839

Eclat Gifts

Tel: 840511

Fountain Court

Tel: 858120

Jersey Pottery

Tel: 850850

De La Mare Florist & Carnation Nurseries

Tel: 851538

ClothingNeptune

Tel: 851243

Old Sail LoftTel: 855492

Hair & BeautyWellbeing

Tel: 857775

Hair FX Ladies & Gents hair salon

Tel: 857711

Food & DrinkGourmet Delights Limited

Tel: 856383

Gorey Fruit ShopTel: 851241

The Village Butcher

Tel: 855744

Rosedale StoresTel: 854602

R Store & Post Ofce

Tel: 851026

Other ShopsLloyd’s PharmacyTel: 854340

Smile Laundry & Dry Cleaning

Tel: 840797

Queree Optometrists LimitedTel: 840400

Village Kitchen Studio

Tel: 840011

Checkers Xpress and Filling stationTel: 858204

The Hut Kiosk

Tel: 857024

Peter Le Lievre Commission AgentTel: 851101

Gorey Harbour Ofce

Tel: 853616

Les Houmets Residential HomeTel: 855656

Gorey Watersports

Tel: 07797816528

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RestaurantsThe Castle Green Gastro Pub

Tel: 840218

Using the best local produce, and accompanied by

a superb wine list, the casual atmosphere of the

Castle Green is perfect for any occasion. Whether

 you want a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, you

are assured of excellent service in a comfortable

and stylish environment.

The Village Bistro

Tel: 853429

A popular and friendly restaurant in the heart of Gorey

village renowned for its seafood and locally caught sh.

Dining is available in the courtyard garden during the

warm summer months. Closed Sunday evenings and all

day Monday.

Jersey Pottery: The Garden RestaurantTel: 850850

The Garden Restaurant has established itself as a

prime dining experience in Jersey. Renowned for

serving locally caught seafood and an extensive menu

offering the nest local ingredients, the restaurant

offers guests a sumptuous meal served in an ambient

atmosphere

Jersey Pottery: Spinnakers Bar & Grill

Tel: 850850

With a packed play area and popular plasma screen

showing movies throughout the day, Spinnakers is

perfect for families, giving Mum and Dad a breakknowing their offspring are enjoying themselves in the

safe play area.

Café Poste

Tel: 859696

Polished wood oors, a log burning stove and a big

bookcase make this everyone’s favourite Sunday

breakfast haunt. The whole style of this restaurant is

exibility, if you wished, you could eat all your meals

here including afternoon tea and dinner.

Suma’s Restaurant

Tel: 853291

The menus offer excellent value, combining English

Cuisine with a dash of Mediterranean air. Suma’s

Restaurant attracts a strong and loyal following

amongst locals and visitors alike, and is recognised by

leading food guides and critics.

The Dolphin Hotel RestaurantTel: 853370

The restaurant is open for lunch a nd dinner every day.

The hotel has a high reputation for its cuisine, which

has a continental style, with an emphasis on local

produce and seafood, together with the speciality of

cooking on hot rocks.

Seascale Hotel Restaurant

Tel: 854395

The Seascale restaurant is highly esteemed. Adjoining

the restaurant is a comfortable, friendly bar in which

 you may wish to enjoy an aperitif whilst choosing from

the extensive a la carte and table d’hôte menus.

The Moorings HotelTel: 853633

This award-winning restaurant is open for lunch anddinner daily. The traditional style of cuisine has a modern

inuence with a continental avour. We are renowned for

specialising in seafood and fresh sh, carefully selected

meats and a range of vegetarian options.

CafesCafé LouiseTel: 854130

Café de Gouray

Tel: 853334

The Drive-In BBQTel: 853278

TakeawaysCafé du Port

Tel: 840262

Entwhistle’s Fish & Chips

Tel: 854603

The Oriental Dragon Takeaway

Tel: 858811

Rhonas at the Beach

PubsThe Dolphin Hotel

Tel: 853370

The Castle Green Gastro PubTel: 840218

The Gorey Village Inn

Tel: 857287

Getting there Food and Drink

ParkingThere are a number of car parks at Gorey.

Payment is by paycard or parking disc.

Gravel car park near the Old Court House

1 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Tarmac car park in the village

1 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Gorey Pier

3 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Tarmac car park near the promenade

3 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Tarmac car park near Fort William

3 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Foot of Mont de Gouray

12 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Gravel car park opposite Gorey village

12 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

Gravel car park near Café Poste

12 hour limit Disc/Scratch card

BusesRoute 1

To Gorey Pier via the East Coast Road.

Route 1aTo Gorey Pier via St.Clement’s Inner road.

(Summer Service)

Route 1b

To Gorey Pier via Longueville Manor.

Island Explorer - Green Route

To Gorey Pier. (Summer Service)

Food and Drink

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Mont Orgueil

Tel: 853292 Fax: 854303

www.jerseyheritagetrust.org

Built in the thirteenth century to protect the island

against the French, this dramatic castle is one of

the best preserved castles in Britain.

Winter

Open 10am to 4pm,

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

until 18th March

Adult, Senior citizen,

Student over 16 years

and Child (6-16 years) .................................£7.50

Family Ticket ......................................... .........£22.00

Summer

Open 10am to 6pm daily

(last admission at 5 pm)

18th March to 2nd November

Adult ....................................................................£9.30

Senior Citizens ..................................... ............£8.50

Student over 16 years

and Child (6-16 years) .................................£5.50

Family Ticket ......................................... .........£26.00

Discovery Pier

Tel: 617704

www.environment.gov.je

Jersey’s rich coastal waters are a unique habitat.

At Discovery Pier you can see, hear, touch and

learn about the mysteries of our coastline and

marine environment.

Open 11am to 4pm,7 days a week

from May to end of September.

Adults ..................................................................£2.00

Children and OAPs .........................................£1.00

All accompanied children

are free during school holidays.

ChurchesGouray ChurchLa Grande Route de Faldouet, St.Martin.

Tel: 853255

Our Lady of the Assumption Church

Gorey Village, St.Martin

Tel: 853953

For further information visit

www.jersey.comJersey Tourism, Liberation Place, St Helier, Jersey JE1 1BB

Tel: +44 (0)1534 448877 Fax: +44 (0)1534 448897 E-mail: [email protected]

All information correct at time of print – April 2008

Places to Visit