This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

Introduction

La Hougue Bie is situated in the countryside in the east of the island, 5 miles from St Helier. A green and tranquil place, the site includes one of Europe’s finest Neolithic passage graves, a medieval chapel, a 2nd World War German command bunker and memorial to the enforced/slave workers imprisoned in the Channel Islands, as well as a small Geological and Archaeology museum (which is being refurbished in 2022 planned to re open in May) and a reconstructed Neolithic Longhouse..

The museum which houses displays of Jersey archaeology and geology is located in a building on the site adjacent to the carpark. In the entrance to this building is a small cinema space showing a short film (lasting 8 minutes) which introduces the site and its varied history. The film is shown in English, French and German. The Geology and Archaeology museum has 2 different floor levels, accessed via steps when re opened.

The site includes a number of monuments and buildings and a combination of different surfaces including gravel paths and large areas of grass, surfaces can be uneven and could be slippery at times. It is a steep climb via steps and a narrow footpath to the medieval chapel which is sited on top of the Neolithic passage grave mound. There is an outdoor seating area under trees with several picnic benches on the site.

Guided tours led by volunteers take place throughout the season.

We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01534 853823 or email info@jerseyheritage.org.

Pre-arrival

  • For full details and maps of how to reach La Hougue Bie please see the Explore section of our website: www.jerseyheritage.org/places-to-visit/la-hougue-bie-museum
  • Liberty Bus operate the local bus service and the main bus station is at Liberation Station in St Helier, situated on the Esplanade, near Liberty Wharf. All the bus services in the island operate to and from Liberation Station. The number 13 runs to Durrell via La Hougue Bie approximately every hour. The bus stop at La Hougue Bie is located immediately at the front entrance to the site. To find out more about bus times and services visit: www.libertybus.je or Tel: 01534 828555 or visit the customer service desk at Liberation Station, St Helier, Jersey JE1 3AS
  • La Hougue Bie is situated 5 miles east of St Helier, near the intersection of La Grande Route de la Hougue Bie, Rue des Pigneaux and Princes Tower Road
  • A passenger and car ferry service operates to Jersey from the UK, Guernsey and France, ferries arrive in the harbour in St Helier. For more information contact Condor Ferries: 0845 6091027 or visit condor ferries.com
  • Other passenger ferry services operate seasonally between France and the Channel Islands to find out more about these services visit www.jersey.com
  • The airport is located in the west of the Island, taxis and a regular bus services run from the airport to Liberation Station in St Helier

Parking

  • There is limited parking on site for 16 cars. There are two designated blue badge parking spaces
  • The on site car park is gravel
  • The car parking spaces are a short walk, 20 metres, from the ticket office
  • There is a cycle rack available
  • There is a drop off point at the ticket office as you drive into the site
  • There is no charge for parking on site

Main entrance, reception and ticketing area

  • The main ticket office is situated to the left of the main entrance to the site
  • The welcome/ticket counter is 1m high with a drop end counter for the convenience of wheelchair users
    The museum gift shop is also located in the ticket office

Attractions (displays, exhibits etc)

  • To access the chamber at the heart of the mound you need to crouch down for 8 metres until the tomb opens up to a height of 2.5 meters. The passage and chamber are both fairly dark but do have small fairy lights. These can get very wet which might mean there are small puddles of water and drips from the stones on top of the chamber. Because of this there is a change in smell and temperature as well.
  •  You’ll also discover a command bunker built during the German Occupation, housing a unique memorial to the slave- workers who were brought to the Channel Islands by invading Nazi forces during the Second World War. This has steps down into it but they are well lit. The different rooms are quite low, but there is room to move around in them. The area can have a slight echo.
  • The world’s largest Celtic coin hoard is on display at La Hougue Bie. View the gold and silver treasures found in the hoard of over 68000 coins extracted.
  • A three year volunteer project to build a reconstruction Neolithic Longhouse using authentic materials and tools was completed and opened in 2019. This is another dark area on the site, with only natural lighting from small windows and doors. The floor is a bit bumpy. There are lots of things in the Longhouse that can be touched (wooden pillars, benches, animal furs) that all have different feelings and smells. A fire is sometimes lit within the Longhouse which is managed by volunteers, but this can cause a smoke smell within the building.

Public toilets

  • Public Toilets are located in the old lodge building adjacent to the Tea rooms. There are 3 steps up to this building from the ground level and a ramp leading to the level pathway is located at the far end of the veranda
  • All sanitary ware is white tiles are grey
  • The toilets are well lit with overhead lighting with the light switch located at the standard height of 1.2m above the floor
  • Flooring throughout all toilets is quarry tile
  • Disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are available in the main toilet block

Catering

  • The La Hougue Bie Tearoom is located on site, run by Beresford Street Kitchen and is open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm. Beresford Street Kitchen is a social enterprise providing education, training and employment for people with learning disabilities and autism. The cafe can be contacted on 01534 638856

Shops

  • There is a shop with a range of souvenirs, books and local crafts located in the main ticket area
  • The shop also sells cold drinks and ice cream

Grounds and gardens

  • There are large areas of grass and gravel paths on the site between the passage grave, command bunker and museum building. Surfaces are uneven and mixed across the site
  • There are at least 60 large trees on the site and the picnic area is shaded and has wooden picnic benches. It is located in the area adjacent to the ticket office
  • The grounds are managed in line with an environmental management plan to optimize the biodiversity of the site.
  • The site is adjacent to two roads that are not often busy but can have noisy vehicles on them. There is also a farm opposite and the cows can sometimes be heard and seen.
  • Lots of the site has gavel paths, however there are areas that are just grass. All parts of the site might be muddy or have leaves which have fallen onto them.

Additional information

  • All Front of House Staff undertake pre-season customer service training and will offer assistance if required
  • A visitor guide book is available at the site
  • We run an annual mystery visitor programme to measure and maintain customer care standards
  • We have a set of evacuation procedures – should you require it someone will assist you with evacuation to a muster point outside of the building
  • Clear signage is used throughout the museum using arial font
  • Staff are happy to offer additional information on the surrounding area; restaurants / hotels / attractions / places of interest
  • Hearing Induction Loop installed
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is located at Reception
  • A free to use ‘Take a Break’ sensory bag is available

Additional information

Address La Hougue Bie Museum, La Route de la Hougue Bie, Grouville. JE2 7UA

Telephone: 01534 853823

Email: info@jerseyheritage.org

Opening hours: Summer 10am to 5pm, winter 10am to 4pm

Local Accessible Taxi: Luxicabs 01534 887000

Local Public Transport: Liberty Bus operate the local bus service in Jersey. To find out more about the service go to: www.libertybus.je or phone: 01534 828555 Via e-mail: to info@libertybus.je On X (twitter): @libertybusje In writing: LibertyBus La Collette Bus Depot St Helier Jersey JE2 3NX In person at our Customer Service and Information centre: Liberation Station St Helier, Jersey JE1 3AS