The National Trust for Jersey is a charitable organisation which aims at preserving and safeguarding sites of historic, aesthetic and natural interest in Jersey.
The trust held its first formal meeting, headed by the Dean of Jersey, Samuel Falle, on 3 August 1936, and was incorporated in the following year by the States of Jersey. The trust is now the island's largest private land owner, caring for over 130 sites.
Farms
The trust owns several farms which are of historic interest, some of these are described below.
The Elms
The Elms in 2005
The Elms is a former 18th-century farm, in St. Peter's Valley, which has been the trust's headquarters since 1978.[2]
It is not operated as a museum, but some areas are normally open to visitors.
The museum is open to the public, from June to September.[4] In October, it becomes the venue for La Faîs'sie d’Cidre (a cider making festival).
Morel Farm
This working farm is located in St. Lawrence. Some structures here were built in 1666.
Mills
Le Moulin de Quétivel, a restored watermill which is open to the public and grinds flour for sale in its shop.
Military buildings
The trust owns a number of former military buildings in Jersey. Some of these are listed here.
Câtel Fort
Câtel Fort is an 18th-century guardhouse, situated overlooking Grève de Lecq Bay.
Grève de Lecq Barracks
In 1810, construction of Grève de Lecq Barracks was started, and a garrison was stationed here until the 1920s. It was able to house up to 250 troops.[5]
The barrack buildings, located in St Mary, have been restored and are open to the public from May to September.
La Caumine à Marie Best
Le Don Hilton or La Cauminne à Mary Best in St. Peter
Victoria Tower is a Martello tower built in 1837, and located on Le Mont Nicholas opposite Mont Orgueil.[6] It overlooks Anne Port on the north side and Gorey on the south.
Cottages
La Ronce
Doorway at La Ronce
La Ronce is a two-story 17th-century granite cottage which is listed as a Site of Special Interest (pSSI).[7] The stone above the doorway has been incised with what appears to be the year 1621.
The building has had further additions made, probably during the 18th century.
In 2012, a 99-year lease on the property was made available to purchase from the trust.[8]
Natural environment
Jersey Wetland Centre
In 2012, plans were submitted to improve facilities at the wetland area known as St. Ouen's Pond, in St. Ouen.[9] The plans include a substantial upgrade of the existing bird hide. The costs are estimated to be £102,000, and funded by the Tourism Development Fund (States of Jersey) and the RBC Blue Water Project (Royal Bank of Canada).
Le Noir Pré
Le Noir Pré comprises two adjacent wet meadows, also known as the orchid fields because the Orchis laxiflora can be found growing here. The Channel Islands are the only place in the British Isles where this orchid can be seen, normally during May and June.[10]
Les Monts Grantez
Dolmen des Monts Grantez
This is an elevated area which overlooks St Ouen's bay, it features the Neolithic dolmen des Monts Grantez, pedestrian footpaths, grazing areas for cattle, and car parking.[11]
The site is used as a venue for the trust's annual Sunset Concert.[12]
La Vallée des Vaux
La Vallée des Vaux is a woodland valley which lies in the north of St Helier, parts of which are owned by the trust.[13]
