Saint Helier Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Saint Helier

Saint-Hélier

Parish

Flag	Coat of arms

Location of Saint Helier
Saint-Hélier in Jersey

Crown Dependency

Jersey, Channel Islands

Area

• Total

10.6 km² (4.1 sq mi)

Area rank

Ranked 5th

Population

(2011)

• Total

33,522

• Density

3,162/km² (8,190/sq mi)

Time zone

GMT

• Summer (DST)

UTC+01

Postcode district

JE2

Postcode sector

3 and 4

Website

www.sthelier.je

Saint Helier, also known as St. Helier, is a special part of Jersey, which is the biggest of the Channel Islands located in the English Channel. It is one of the twelve "parishes" that make up Jersey. A parish is like a local area or district.

About 33,500 people live in Saint Helier. This means that about 34.2% of all the people on Jersey live here. Saint Helier is the main town and the capital of the island. However, the official building where the government leader lives, called Government House, is actually in a nearby parish called St. Saviour.

What is Saint Helier?
Exploring Saint Helier
Images for kids
See also

What is Saint Helier?

Saint Helier is the largest town in Jersey. It is named after Saint Helier, a Christian saint who lived in the 6th century. He was killed on the island by pirates. The town has grown a lot over the years and is now a busy place with many shops, offices, and homes.

How is Saint Helier Governed?

Each parish in Jersey has its own leader called a Connétable. The current Connétable of Saint Helier is Simon Crowcroft. The Connétable helps manage the local services and represents the parish. The island's main parliament building, called the States Chamber, is also located in Saint Helier. This is where important decisions for all of Jersey are made.

What is the Size of Saint Helier?

Saint Helier covers an area of about 10.6 square kilometers (about 4.1 square miles). It is ranked as the 5th largest parish in Jersey by area. Because many people live here, it is also the most crowded part of the island.

Saint Helier's Connections to Other Places

Saint Helier has special friendships with other towns around the world. These are called "twin towns." Saint Helier is twinned with:

Avranches in France
Bad Wurzach in Germany
Funchal in Portugal

These connections help build friendships and understanding between different cultures.

Exploring Saint Helier

Saint Helier has many interesting places to visit and things to see.

Royal Square: In the center of town, you can find a statue of King George II. This statue is important because it's the starting point for measuring all distances on Jersey.
Broad Street Obelisk: There is a tall stone monument, called an obelisk, in Broad Street. It was built in 1855 to remember Pierre Le Sueur, a famous reformer who was elected Connétable of St Helier five times.
Liberation Sculpture: A special statue celebrates the island being freed from Nazi occupation during World War II.
Waterfront Centre: This modern area was built on land that was created by filling in parts of the sea in the 1980s. It has many new buildings and attractions.
Fort Regent: This historic fort sits on a hill overlooking the town. It offers great views and is now used for sports and other activities.
Central Market: This is a lively indoor market where you can find all sorts of goods, from fresh food to crafts.

Images for kids

The Hermitage of Saint Helier lies in the bay off St Helier and is accessible on foot at low tide
The statue of George II in the Royal Square is the zero milestone from which all distances in Jersey are measured
In 1855 an obelisk was constructed in Broad Street to commemorate the reformer Pierre Le Sueur, five times elected Constable of St Helier. The monument was restored in 2005 and the fountains restored to working order.
A statue celebrating the island's liberation from Nazi occupation
The States Chamber, the island's parliamentary building, is located in St Helier
The Waterfront Centre was constructed on land reclaimed in the 1980s.
A depiction of the Town of St Helier as it was in 1709
The Fete dé Noué Christmas Market in the Weighbridge in 2010
A view over the Weighbridge
The Parade
Millenium Park in 2012
Le Crapaud of Charing Cross
The castle viewed from the town, with the duck ferry running in its amphibious form
Fort Regent
Central Market
The St Helier Waterfront area in 2012