JERSEY shores

Beautiful beaches and a mash-up of British and French culture make this island a delightful destination

- CHRIS MORLEY

A flight to Jersey is as easy as it gets. At 8.30am, I'm Lidling in traffic on London's M25; by 1pm, I'm savouring a bowl of mussels in a beachside cafe, gazing across a huge sweep of a sun-bleached bay where the Atlantic waves roll against an old defensive tower. An hour's flight (no passport needed) and a 20-minute drive from the airport was all it took to arrive at this blissful spot. Yet I could have picked any of the island's 24 beaches-none are very far on this pint-sized rock floating off the Normandy coast.

Lush landscape

Although small (8km by 14.5km), there's plenty here to make a memorable break. The coastline is as dramatic and inviting as anywhere in the Med, with rocky coves and sherbet coloured beaches. Meanwhile, the countryside flips between tangled woodland and lush fields grazed by doe-eyed cows. A gentle microclimate, fertile soil and rich marine life results in scrumptious produce too (hello, Jersey ice cream). A network of footpaths loops around the island and immerses you in the landscape. Tackle the cliff-top section from Bouley Bay to Rozel Harbour and you'll spy the smaller Channel islands -Sark, Guernsey and Alderney - winking on the horizon. At Rozel, swing by the Hungry Man kiosk to refuel on crab sandwiches or a bacon bap.

Time travel