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The Jersey Plaquettes
Engraved stones found in Jersey are the the earliest art forms discovered in the British Isles
In 2010, 15,000 years after the first pioneer hunter-gatherers arrived in Jersey, archaeologists came to the area of Les Varines to the south-east of the Island, where stone artefacts had been discovered after the fields were ploughed. Excavations took place over the next eight years. They revealed hearths, paving stones of a camp and thousands of flint tools left behind by the hunters. Ten fragile fragments of engraved stone were also discovered, each marked with abstract designs. This display tells the story of the pioneer people, and investigates the meaning of these mysterious stones, which have been described as the earliest art forms to have yet been discovered in the British Isles.
Meet The Collections
Meet the Collections gives you the opportunity to see some of the fascinating items in our collections that are not usually on display at one of our sites. With a different theme each month, our collections team will be selecting some of their favourite objects to show you and will be on hand to tell you about these objects, where they came from and what they can tell us about our Island’s history.
We have all sorts of unusual objects in our collection, come along and see some of the strangest things our staff have picked out just for you.
Tours of our social history store will also run at 10am and 11am giving you an opportunity to see many more of the objects in our collection that are weird and wonderful.
Christmas at Samares Manors Botanic Gardens
Visit Santa in his Poly-Grotto at Samarès Manor this Christmas.
Christmas at Samares Manor 30th November – 17th December
Father Christmas at 16 New Street
Christmas in Jersey wouldn’t be complete without a special visit to see Father Christmas at 16 New Street.Booking essential.
Please note that this is a MEMBERS ONLY event*. If you are not a member of the Trust, and you would like to support our conservation work – protecting Jersey’s natural beauty and historic buildings for ever and for everyone – you can JOIN HERE
Tickets for Father Christmas cost £10 per child to include a gift. Due to the popularity of this event, a maximum of two adults will be admitted with every paying child.
* Please note that Jersey Heritage Cards are not valid at National Trust sites.
Genuine Jersey Simply Christmas Market
Gather your friends and family and immerse yourself in Christmas cheer at this year’s Genuine Jersey Simply Christmas markets in St Helier’s Royal Square. Showcasing over 50 of Jersey’s finest artisans, Simply Christmas brings you a labyrinth of stalls oozing with festive magic, beautiful gifts and tasty treats.
With hot food and live music, it’s the perfect place to buy unique gifts directly from the artisans who have created and produced them. The markets are located in the historic Royal Square in the centre of St Helier, just a few minutes walk from the central bus station.
The Markets will be open:-
Thursday 23 & 30 Nov, 7 Dec 10:00 – 20:00 (late night shopping in St Helier)
Friday 24 Nov, 1 & 8 Dec 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 25 Nov, 2 & 9 Dec 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 26 Nov, 3 & 10 Dec 10:00 – 17:00
Genuine Jersey Simply Christmas Market
Gather your friends and family and immerse yourself in Christmas cheer at this year’s Genuine Jersey Simply Christmas markets in St Helier’s Royal Square. Showcasing over 50 of Jersey’s finest artisans, Simply Christmas brings you a labyrinth of stalls oozing with festive magic, beautiful gifts and tasty treats.
With hot food and live music, it’s the perfect place to buy unique gifts directly from the artisans who have created and produced them. The markets are located in the historic Royal Square in the centre of St Helier, just a few minutes walk from the central bus station.
The Markets will be open:-
Thursday 23 & 30 Nov, 7 Dec 10:00 – 20:00 (late night shopping in St Helier)
Friday 24 Nov, 1 & 8 Dec 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 25 Nov, 2 & 9 Dec 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 26 Nov, 3 & 10 Dec 10:00 – 17:00
Trade Roots
We examine the evidence of the Island’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, including Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor Sir George Carteret who was a founder member of the Royal Africa Company that traded in ivory, gold and enslaved people in the 17th century; Captain François Messervy of Jersey who was killed in 1722 during an uprising on board his slave ship off the coast of Africa; and Jersey trader Josué Mauger who in 1752 advertised enslaved people for sale in Nova Scotia, Canada, where his business was based.
This exhibition takes place in the Victorian House at Jersey Museum, with its impressive mahogany staircase, because new research has shown that the house was built partly on the profits of the transatlantic slave trade. ‘Trade Roots’ explores Jersey’s historic links to slavery, from Islanders who owned mahogany plantations overseas and traded in slave-produced goods, to those who campaigned for the abolition of slavery.
Thought-provoking, and at times challenging, this exhibition exposes some uncomfortable new stories from Jersey’s past and examines the legacy and impact of transatlantic slavery on the Island’s community today.
La Hougue Bie Tour
Want to find out more about La Hougue Bie’s history? Take a free tour with one of our volunteer guides
Tour times
Tours last approx. 1 hour. Our tours are free of charge (normal entry fee applies).
The meeting point for your tour is by the ticket desk
Tours are subject to change, if the tour of La Hougue Bie is to be the highlight of your visit, please call +44 (0) 1534 853 823 to confirm the site tour is going ahead.
Tree Dressing Day
A winter warmer of an event to celebrate our leafy friends
Join us in the orchard at Hamptonne for a winter warmer of an event to celebrate our leafy friends, whose presence alone is enough to reduce stress and improve our sense of wellbeing.
Tree Dressing Day falls on the first weekend of December. It was initiated by Common Ground in 1990 and has grown to become much more than an expression of a love for trees. It’s also a chance for communities to reflect on the social and cultural history of their local area, and the role trees have played in shaping this story.
The orchard is made up of 23 apple trees that are all local cider varieties. At the January Wassail, our visitors help to bless the trees in the hope of an abundant harvest later in the year. They stroll and play under the canopy of blossom provided by them in the spring, picnic under their shade in the heat of the summer and help to pick the apples in the autumn, ready for cider making at La Faîs’sie d’Cidre.
Find more about Tree Dressing Day and its origins at www.commonground.org.uk/tree-dressing-day/
Young Archaeologists' Club
YAC is the perfect club for anyone aged 8-16 years old who is interested in archaeology and discovering more about our history.
There will be four YAC sessions throughout the year, from discovering more about poo (coprolites) to exploring a real archaeology dig. YAC is free to join and you don’t have to be a Jersey Heritage Member.
