Articles | Geopark

Geodiversity

Jersey. A Symphony of Creation

Beneath your feet lies a story 600 million years in the making. Forged in fire. Shaped by ice. Carved by the sea. Torn from an ancient landmass and cast into measureless oceans, Jersey is more than an Island - it’s a fragment of Earth’s dramatic history. This is a place of primeval mountains, deep seas, volcanic islands and granite magma. Wind, rain, ice and tides created valleys, caves and cliff where early humans found sanctuary. It’s a living landscape where every stone, tide and trail tells a story of survival, transformation, and connection to nature.

Geology

Get Behind the Geo-scenes

Jersey Island Geopark isn’t a single destination-it’s the entire Island. From rugged cliffs and hidden coves to sweeping dunes and winding trails, every corner of Jersey reveals a chapter in a story of survival, transformation, and deep connection to nature. Each stone and shoreline is a witness to ancient volcanic fires, shifting continents, and the relentless power of the sea. Explore the Geosites that inspired 'A Symphony of Creation' and imagine walking on granite forged in the heart of the Earth, gazing out over waters that have sculpted the Island’s shores. Here, every tide whispers a story, every breeze carries the promise of adventure. Step behind the geo-scenes and discover Jersey’s dramatic birth for yourself-where nature and history collide in spectacular fashion.

Geology

Self-Guided Geowalk Around L’Etacq

This self-guided geowalk explores the deep history of the North West corner of Jersey from a time when we were a deltaic environment through millions of years of volcanic activity to ice ages and a time when prehistoric people populated the land. It starts on the beach and then takes you up on to the headlands above the Pinnacle and can be extended to take in Grosnez Castle and the bunkers of the Second World War German Occupation. Developed by walking guide Nicky Mansell, it tells the story of climate change and man's impact on the land. This geowalk is about 4.5 miles and will take about 2 and1/2 hours. It is dramatic at all times of the year, but Nicky's favourite is when the thrift and gorse is out in the late spring.

Geodiversity

Geodiversity Poetry and Prose

In honour of International Geodiversity Day on 6th October 2024, aspiring Jersey Island Geopark invited local poets and writers to participate in a special project celebrating our Island’s rich geodiversity. The 2024 theme was ‘Conserving the Past – Sustaining the Future'.

Map of self-guided snorkel trail at Bouley Bay

Seascapes

Exciting way to discover Jersey’s seascapes (BRAND NEW August 2023)

Connect to the sea, spark your interest and appreciation for Jersey’s seascape...

Infographic of Council of British Archaeology

Cultural history

Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology 2023

Festival of Archaeology FREE Events! Geopark partner, Société Jersiaise is delighted to be taking part in the Council for British Archaeology’s (CBA) Festival of Archaeology 2023 by hosting a number of exciting events, walks and workshops as part of this nationwide celebration of the science. Through the Festival, the CBA helps over half a million people to participate in archaeology, explore stories of place, and connect with the environment around them and this year, you can take part in Jersey too! From walks hosted by experts, to a film screening about Neanderthals or a children’s pottery workshop, the Société’s programme of FREE events are sure to make you think differently about Jersey's archaeology.

An image of an islet with the Jèrriais word for islet in large letters, projected onto L

Jérriais

Paysage Patholes

The Landscape Language project aimed to explore Jersey’s intangible heritage of Jèrriais - the Island’s traditional language. Through photography, this project highlighted some special parts of Island life.

Cultural history

Ice Age

Jersey is a special place for archaeologists to learn about the Ice Age because of the amount and type of artefacts that they have found in Jersey.

Landscape

La Cotte

La Cotte de St Brelade (La Cotte) is a key site in European prehistory, preserving one of the best records of Neanderthal behaviour from over a quarter of a million years ago in the Ice Age past.

Geology

Raised Beaches

There are many raised beaches around Jersey's coastline. These mark the level of past sea levels and are made up of pebbles, flints and sea bed chalk deposits.