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Visit Elizabeth Castle, a fortress just off the coast of Jersey to explore 400 years of history
Opening times
Elizabeth Castle walking times guide for 2025
- Occasionally wind and tide conditions mean we have to make changes to our opening times. If in doubt please call before your visit +44 (0) 1534 634048
- 2025
- 19 March to 26 October Daily 10am to 5.30pm
- 26 October to 1 November Daily 10am to 4pm
- Closure dates 2 November 2025 until March 2026
- Last Ferry from the Castle 5pm
Pricing
Unless you are a group of 10 or more there is no need to book ahead, please purchase your tickets from our ticket office at each site on the day of your visit.
Jersey Heritage Members go FREE – become a Member today.
Children aged under 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult or responsible person aged 16+
Buy your 7 day Heritage Pass. Unlimited access to Jersey Heritage visitor sites for 7 days.
- Castle and Castle Ferry
- Adult (16+) £23.95
- Child or student £15.95
- Senior (65+) £22.95
- Family ticket £71.80
- Castle only
- Adult (16+) £18.95
- Child or student £10.95
- Senior (65+) £17.95
- Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children or students) £53.80
- Children under 6 FREE
- Discounts and free entry
- Jersey Heritage Members Free
- Non-pre booked groups of 10 or more adults or seniors 10% (at our discretion)
- Disabled visitors pay the normal admission Free admission for up to two carers
- Museums Association Members Free
- International Council of Museums (ICOM) members Free
- Société Jersiaise Members Free
- Friends of Manx National Heritage Free
- Réseau des Musées de Normandie – Muséopass Card Free
Location
- Address Les Jardins de la Mer, West Park, St Helier
- Phone +44 (0) 1534 634048
- Directions Please be aware that the Elizabeth Castle Ferry kiosk is at the Westpark Slip directly across from the Grand Hotel
- Parking Paid parking available in St Helier
- Parking in Jersey For guidance read this
- Bus route 7, 8,9,12a, 12, 15, 22 and 28
- Cycle route 1
- What3words location finder messing.genres.isolated
Facilities
There is no access to the Breakwater due to essential maintenance works from 23 June until September.
- Visitor charter Click here
- WIFI Available on site
- Gift shop The Jersey Heritage gift shop, selling gifts and souvenirs, is on-site and located at the Castle Ferry kiosk
- Payment Can be made by debit, credit card, in sterling
- Dogs No dogs allowed, except assistance dogs. Read our policy here
- Take a break bags Fidget and sensory toys to help anyone who needs to take a break whilst on-site
Groups
Prices
Discounted entry is applicable to booked groups of 10+ or more adults or seniors (combination thereof). There is no requirement to book if your group is fewer than 10 people.
Castle and Ferry Castle only
Adult £20.35 £16.10
Senior £19.50 £15.25
Child/Student £15.95 £10.95
Jersey Schools
Please email us.
Group Tours
Private guided tours can be arranged by advanced booking – £100 per tour – duration approx. 1 hr.
Leaflets available at entrance (£1) provide a brief history and guide to the site.
There is no coach parking on-site. Please speak with your coach operator regarding drop-off and pickup points.
Interpretation Language
External signs in English and French
Visitor booklet (£1) in English, French and German
Elizabeth Castle mobile app in English, French and German
Access
Read our access statement here.
Read our visual story
Refreshments
The Castle Café has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. It provides the perfect the setting for a locally produced cake or light lunch. We have carefully sourced the best local suppliers to provide delicious cakes and savoury light bites, which accompany our freshly prepared sandwiches, salad boxes and daily specials.
10% off for Jersey Heritage Members (please show your Fob or Patron/Benefactor card when making your purchase).
Built on a tidal Island in St Aubin’s Bay and dating from the 16th century onwards, the castle defended Jersey for more than 400 years.
At Elizabeth Castle Jersey, spend your day exploring this sprawling 15-acre fortress: climb the battlements dating back to the time Sir Walter Raleigh was Governor of Jersey; explore the grounds that gave refuge to King Charles II during the English Civil War and uncover the story of the Castle during the German Occupation in World War II. The oldest part of this site, The Hermitage, where Saint Helier is thought to have lived around 550 A.D.
You will step back in time to 1781 and meet the Castle Gunner who will tell you his story of the Battle of Jersey, but be prepared to be drafted into the Midday Parade and witness the firing of the musket.
Heritage Pass
Explore more for less
Get unlimited access to Jersey Heritage visitor sites for 7 days with a Heritage Pass.
Arrival
How To Get To Elizabeth Castle
Elizabeth Castle is built on a tidal Island in St Aubin’s Bay in St Helier and is cut off by the tide twice a day. To reach the Castle and begin your adventure, at low tide you can walk along the causeway or take the amphibious Castle Ferry which runs all day when the Castle is open to the public. Occasionally wind and tide conditions mean we have to make changes to our opening times.
Read our access guide for more information.
Castle Characters
Come and meet our costumed characters from the past
You'll learn something new with every performance from our costumed characters, they'll get you involved, answer your questions and entertain you with stories from the past.
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Sir Walter Raleigh
1 April 2025 - 16 October 2025Meet Sir Walter at the Castle and he'll tell you about his adventures at sea.
Find out more -
Master Gunner
2 April 2025 - 26 October 2025Stand to attention for the Midday Parade and prepare yourself for the resounding bang of the signal gun.
Find out more -
1781 Jersey Militia
27 July 2025 - 28 September 2025A thrilling display of artillery and Georgian life.
Find out more
Learn the History of Elizabeth Castle
Elizabeth Castle has many chapters to its story, including residents such as Sir Walter Raleigh, King Charles II and German occupying forces, but its history dates back as far as the 6th century to St Helier, who Jersey’s capital is named after. A hermit called Helibert lived in the hermitage on the islet where the Castle is built. He was murdered and later made into a saint called St Helier. Islanders make an annual pilgrimage to the hermitage and it is a fascinating part of the Castle grounds for visitors to explore.
The first building on the islet was an abbey, named after Helibert and founded in 1155. It was soon downgraded to a priory and later abandoned. Fast forward to the late 16th century and a fortress was being built, taking over the main defence of Jersey once gunpowder and cannon were introduced and the medieval castle of Mont Orgueil on the east coast was no longer up to the job. Raleigh, who was Governor of Jersey from 1600-1603, later named the new castle after his Queen; Fort Isabella Bellissima, or Elizabeth Castle Jersey. Read more…
Protecting Fort Elizabeth’s History For The Future.
Jersey Heritage is currently restoring parts of the Castle to bring them back into public use and you’ll see scaffolding around two important, historic buildings – the Georgian Military Hospital and the Officers’ Quarters. This work is essential to secure the Castle’s future and you can find out more about what’s in store for the buildings here.
Places to Visit
Mont Orgueil Castle
A medieval castle with links to the English Crown and amazing views across to France.
History
The History and Future of an Island’s Fortress
We are restoring Elizabeth Castle to ensure it is protected for generations to come
History
Castles of Jersey
Why has Jersey been one of the most heavily fortified parts of the British Isles?
Weddings
Getting married?
A perfect castle wedding venue as unique as you are making your day truly unforgettable.
Find out more