Joyous Jersey from A to Z

Antonia Windsor has combed the beaches and surfed the shores in search of Jersey's finest elements, from beautiful ballet to secret bays

- Antonia Windsor

Arboretum 

Sometimes called the forgotten forest, because it was literally forgotten for several decades, the Val de la Mare Arboretum in St Peter is full of trees you wouldn’t expect to see in the Channel Islands, including giant American redwoods, Australian bottlebrushes and Japanese cypresses, which were planted by the Moores family in the 1970s in memory of their son, who died prematurely. It’s a great place for early-morning walks to hear the dawn chorus.

Ballet

Last year, the island welcomed its first professional ballet company with the formation of Ballet d’Jèrri (www.ballet.je), which is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of traditional ballet and creating exciting, innovative performances for an international audience. The company will eventually be based at the Jersey Opera House, which is undergoing an £11.5 million renovation and is due to open in 2024.

Callum Graham

At the helm of Art Deco-style Bohemia restaurant, at The Club Hotel & Spa in St Helier (www.theclubjersey.com), Callum Graham has ensured the restaurant has hung onto the Michelin star it’s had for nearly 20 years. His signature tasting menu starts with a plate called ‘A homage to the humble potato’, but there is nothing humble about the dish. A delicate and perfectly crisp mille-feuille of Jersey Royal potato is served with creamy Champagne sauce and local wood sorrel, which the sommelier pairs with a ForgetBrimont Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

Dolmens