National Trust for Jersey facts for kids
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| Formation | 11 February 1937 |
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| Type | NGO |
| Purpose | Preserving and safeguarding sites of historic, aesthetic and natural interest for the benefit of the island. |
| Headquarters | The Elms, St. Mary |
| Location | |
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Official language
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English |
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Chief executive
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Charles Alluto |
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Key people
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HRH Prince of Wales (patron) |
The National Trust for Jersey is a special group that works to protect important places in Jersey. They look after historic buildings, beautiful landscapes, and natural areas. Their main goal is to keep these sites safe for everyone on the island to enjoy.
This group started with its first meeting on August 3, 1936. It was officially recognized by the States of Jersey (Jersey's government) the next year. Today, the Trust owns more land than any other private group in Jersey. They care for over 130 different sites across the island.
Contents
Historic Farms in Jersey
The National Trust for Jersey owns several old farms. These farms are important because they show us what life was like in the past. Here are some of the farms they look after.
The Elms: The Trust's Headquarters
The Elms is an old farm from the 1700s. It is located in St. Peter's Valley. Since 1978, this farm has been the main office for the National Trust for Jersey.
While it is not a museum, some parts of The Elms are usually open for visitors to explore.
Hamptonne: A Living History Museum
Hamptonne is a special museum that shows what country life was like in the past. It is in the parish of St. Lawrence. The Trust bought Hamptonne in 1987.
Today, the Jersey Heritage group helps run the museum. Records show that there was a building here as early as 1445. In 2005, a movie called Under the Greenwood Tree was filmed at Hamptonne.
You can visit the museum from June to September. In October, Hamptonne hosts a fun cider-making festival called La Faîs'sie d’Cidre.
Morel Farm: A Working Farm with History
Morel Farm is a working farm located in St. Lawrence. Some of the buildings on this farm were built a very long time ago, in 1666.
Old Mills You Can Visit
The Trust also cares for old mills, like Le Moulin de Quétivel. This is a watermill that has been fixed up. It is open to the public and still grinds flour. You can even buy the flour in its shop!
Military Buildings: Protecting Jersey's Past
The Trust owns several old military buildings in Jersey. These buildings once helped protect the island.
Câtel Fort: An 18th-Century Guardhouse
Câtel Fort is a guardhouse from the 1700s. It sits high up, looking over Grève de Lecq Bay.
Grève de Lecq Barracks: Home for Soldiers
Construction of Grève de Lecq Barracks began in 1810. This place was a home for soldiers until the 1920s. It was big enough to house up to 250 troops.
These barrack buildings are in St Mary. They have been restored and are open for visitors from May to September.
La Caumine à Marie Best: An Old Guard House
Le Don Hilton, also known as La Caumine à Marie Best, was once a guard house. It also stored gunpowder. You can find it in St. Ouen's Bay, in St. Peter.
Victoria Tower: A Martello Tower
Victoria Tower is a type of round fort called a Martello tower. It was built in 1837. This tower is located on Le Mont Nicholas, across from Mont Orgueil castle. It looks out over Anne Port and Gorey.
Historic Cottages
La Ronce: A 17th-Century Granite Cottage
La Ronce is a two-story stone cottage from the 1600s. It is considered a "Site of Special Interest." A stone above the doorway seems to show the year 1621.
More parts were added to the building later, probably in the 1700s. In 2012, the Trust offered a long-term lease for this property.
Protecting Jersey's Natural Environment
The National Trust for Jersey also works to protect beautiful natural areas.
Jersey Wetland Centre: A Haven for Birds
In 2012, plans were made to improve the wetland area known as St. Ouen's Pond. This area is in St. Ouen. The plans included a big upgrade to the existing bird hide, which is a place where you can watch birds without disturbing them.
Le Noir Pré: Home of Rare Orchids
Le Noir Pré is made up of two wet meadows next to each other. People also call them the orchid fields. This is because a special type of orchid, the Orchis laxiflora, grows here. The Channel Islands are the only place in the British Isles where you can see this orchid. It usually blooms in May and June.
Les Monts Grantez: Views and Ancient History
Les Monts Grantez is a high area that looks out over St Ouen's Bay. It has an ancient stone monument called the Neolithic dolmen des Monts Grantez. There are also walking paths, areas where cows graze, and parking.
The Trust uses this site for its yearly Sunset Concert.
La Vallée des Vaux: A Woodland Valley
La Vallée des Vaux is a valley filled with trees. It is in the north of St Helier, and parts of it are owned by the Trust.
Fern Valley: Home to Wildlife
Fern Valley is a Y-shaped valley in the parish of St Lawrence. You might spot red squirrels and Jersey tiger moths (Euplagia quadripunctaria) living here.
Images for kids
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Le Rât
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Morel Farm
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Apple crusher at Morel Farm
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Le Saut Geffroy (Geffroy's Leap)
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Le Moulin de Quétivel
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Le Lavoir de la Rue des Prés
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Le Don Journeaux, a house in St. Clement.
