Free admission for children under 6 years old
We are excited to be making improvements to the archaeology museum at La Hougue Bie, thanks to Fiscal Stimulus funding from the Government of Jersey. The work includes greater accessibility for people with mobility issues. While this area of the site is closed, you will still be able to visit…
- The Passage Grave
- The Chapel
- The Neolithic Longhouse
- The Forced Workers Memorial
While the work is ongoing, please stay safe by remaining outside the construction areas.
PRE-BOOKING
There is no requirement to book if your group is below 6+ Adults / Seniors
15% Group Booking discount is applicable to pre booked groups of 6+ or more Adults or Seniors (or combination of)
DISCOUNTS
15% discount for pre booked groups of 6 or more adults or seniors. Please book in advance here
10% discount for non pre booked groups of 6 or more adults or seniors (at VSA discretion)
Students and children no group booking discount
Jersey Heritage welcomes the following Reciprocal Agreements:
- Museums Association Members
- International Council of Museums (ICOM) members
- Alderney Society / Museum ticket holders
- Friends of Manx National Heritage
- Réseau des Musées de Normandie – Muséopass Card
Our disabled visitors pay the normal admission rate and we are happy to offer free admission for up to two carers.
Unlimited access to 4 must see attractions for the price of 3
ABOUT LA HOUGUE BIE
With a name that’s derived from the Old Norse of the Vikings – haugr meaning a mound and byr – that’s bound up with a medieval legend of a dragon and a knight, it’s no surprise that La Hougue Bie is a magical and surprising place creating a truly memorable experience, home to one of the ten oldest buildings in the world.
THE LEGEND
According to a folk tale, the mound of La Hougue Bie takes its name from the Lordship of Hambye in nearby Normandy. While the legend tells the story of a dragon and the knight who killed it, others interpret it as a tale of the Christianisation of the old pagan site, with the dragon representing the old beliefs and the knight the new religion of Christianity.
LA HOUGUE BIE THROUGH THE AGES
Around this compact and tranquil site you will discover traces of life in Jersey over six millennia, from one of Europe’s finest Neolithic passage graves to a concrete bunker from the German Occupation of 1940 to 1945.
The La Hougue Bie passage grave was constructed by some of Jersey’s earliest inhabitants, as both a tomb and a place for the living to engage in rituals and ceremonies. Unlike many other dolmens, you can stand inside its chamber and feel the atmosphere of this profoundly sacred space. The tomb is so aligned that the interior is illuminated by the rising sun on the spring and autumn equinox.
Once completed, the passage and chamber was secreted beneath a mound of stones and earth. When it fell into disuse around 5,000 years ago, it was blocked up with debris and forgotten until the medieval era when a Christian chapel was constructed on top of the prehistoric mound.
When Jersey embraced the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the chapel fell into secular hands. In 1792, during the Napoleonic Wars, its owner Philippe D’Auverge converted it into a Gothic folly and signalling station known as The Prince’s Tower. After his death, La Hougue Bie was opened as a public attraction and soon became popular as a venue for eating, drinking and dancing.
By the late 19th century the Tower had become derelict and sadly was demolished in 1924, so that the mound could be excavated. The following year the site was opened as a museum until the German Occupation began in 1940. A command bunker is a permanent reminder of that period, which has been repurposed to tell the story of the plight of the thousands of forced workers brought to Jersey by the Organisation Todt.
The Neolithic Longhouse – Built entirely by volunteers, a 20-metre-long replica Neolithic Longhouse has been constructed at La Hougue Bie. The team used only traditional tools and authentic Neolithic techniques, including mud daubing, thatching, bark-stripping and making cordage from stinging nettles and brambles. In 2019, the building won the prestigious Discover Heritage Award given by the Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI). The AHI awards take place every two years and recognise outstanding cultural and natural heritage interpretation in Britain and Ireland.
Read more about the impressive Prince’s Tower once situated at the site.
You can take a virtual tour of Jersey’s spiritual landscape by downloading the free audio tour from the tours and trails section on the website.
TEAROOM
The Tearoom is run by Beresford Street Kitchen and is open 7 days a week. Beresford Street Kitchen is a social enterprise providing education, training and employment for people with learning disabilities and autism. Find out more here.
Parking at La Hougue Bie is available for Visitors to the Site and tearooms and there is an over-flow parking facility for busy periods (subject to local weather conditions).
FACILITIES AND ACCESS
Read our access statement for La Hougue Bie.
Payment: Can be made by debit, credit card (not Amex), in Sterling or Euro.
Organised groups: 15% discount for groups of 6 or more adults or seniors. Please book in advance by completing the form here.
Entrance and parking: Parking at La Hougue Bie is available for Visitors to the Site and tearooms and there is an over-flow parking facility for busy periods (subject to local weather conditions).
Buses and cycle routes: Route 13 and 21. Jersey cycle routes 3 and 8
Refreshments: Tearoom on site
Gift Shop: The Jersey Heritage gift shop, selling gifts and souvenirs is on site
Guide Book: A souvenir guide book is available to buy on site
Access arrangements: There is limited disabled access at the site
Dogs: No dogs allowed, except Guide Dogs. Read our policy here.
Hearing loop: available at reception and a portable hearing loop is available for groups if requested in advance
WIFI: Available on site
La Hougue Bie (Visitor Attraction) has achieved a Gold level in the Green Tourism Scheme
Aerial images with thanks to Chris Brookes.
Tomb image Pierre Longnus
