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Radio Tower

A striking observation tower built during the Second World War

Sleeps 6

Prices from £37.17 pp per night

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Set on a cliff top overlooking Corbière lighthouse on Jersey’s south-west tip, the Radio Tower provides stunning self-catering accommodation over six floors and boasts a 360-degree view.

The Radio Tower is one of Jersey’s most iconic sites and is one of our most popular with visitors and residents alike. Standing on the south-west tip of Jersey’s shoreline within Jersey’s National Park, the tower has the most amazing views from the lounge, no matter what the weather.

Built during the Second World War by German Occupying Forces, the tower has been sympathetically restored in a German modernist Bauhaus style with a concrete staircase winding through the centre of the building over six floors to a wooden spiral staircase which takes you to the top floor. Original features include observation slots on the seaward side and steel doors on the ground floor. From 1976, the Tower was adapted for use by States of Jersey Harbours and Airport Committee who added the panoramic, glass-panelled control room so duty officers could monitor radio communication for vessels using the English Channel.

The second to fourth floors house three identical double bedrooms, each customised within the rounded walls of the tower with fitted wardrobes and their own adjacent shower room and WC. The kitchen, with an additional WC, occupies the fourth floor and is fitted with modern appliances and custom worktops. The observation deck overlooks not only the stunning bay of St Ouen along Jersey’s west coast, but also the iconic Corbierè Lighthouse, built in 1873. If you arrive to the Island by ferry from the south coast of England, the Lighthouse will be the first landmark you see.

Please be aware that the Tower has a number of stairs and a narrow spiral staircase at the top accessing the living area.

    "The view at the top is amazing and has to be one of the best in the British Isles, sweeping from the 5 miles of St Ouen's beach to Corbière lighthouse."

    "Have already recommended the accommodation to a work colleague with school age children, who like something different."

    "Well worth the climb to the top of the spiral staircase!"

    Facilities in detail

    • 3 double bedrooms
    • Shower room ensuite for each bedroom
    • Oven
    • Fridge
    • Microwave
    • Crockery & cutlery provided
    • Central heating TV with Freesat and DVD player
    • Steep staircase throughout
    • Parking
    • Dogs not allowed
    • Cot available on request (linen not provided)
    • Secluded location
    • Car recommended
    • No disabled access
    • Free WiFi

    Pricing

    2022

     

    Low Season

     

    4 January – 31 March
    ——-
    18 October – 19 December

     

    		  

    Mid Season

     

    19 April – 2 July
    ——-
    11 September – 17 October

     

    		  

    High Season

     

    1 April – 18 April (Easter)
    ——–
    3 July – 10 September
    ——–
    20 December – 4 January 2022 (Christmas)

     
     

    2 Nights

     

    		  

    3 Nights

     

    		  

    7 Nights

     

    		  

    3 Nights

     

    		  

    7 Nights

     

    		  

    3 Nights

     

    (Easter and Christmas only)

     

    		  

    7 Nights

     
     

    £610.00

     

    		  

    £755.00

     

    		 £1405.00 £930.00 £1745.00 £1055.00 £2345.00

     

     

     

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    History

    Set on a cliff top overlooking Corbière lighthouse on Jersey’s south-west tip, the Radio Tower is a striking observation tower built during the Second World War. In 1941, the German High Command was ordered to convert the Channel Islands into unassailable fortresses. The numerous artillery batteries that were set up needed an effective system of fire control, and so a comprehensive system of naval direction-finding and range-finding towers known as Marinepeilstäden unde Maßstellen (abbreviated to MP) were planned. Only three towers were completed in Jersey, with the Radio Tower known as MP2.

    MP towers are unique to the Channel Islands, not being found anywhere else on the Atlantic Wall. Constructed of reinforced concrete, MP2, is 17.8 metres high with walls no less than 2 metres thick.

    MP2 was originally camouflaged to resemble an 18th Century Jersey granite round tower. At the top of the tower was a small cabin housing radio direction-finding equipment that enabled German vessels to obtain their bearings. Surviving features from the 1940s, include the concrete staircase and a steel door to the ground floor.

    MP2 was adapted for use by the States of Jersey Harbours and Airport Committee in 1976. A glass panelled control room was added to the top of the tower from which a duty officer could monitor the radio traffic of all shipping passing through the entrance to the English Channel.

    In January 2006, the MP2 tower transferred ownership to the Public of the Island of Jersey, under the management of Jersey Heritage.

    To read more about the Radio Tower, please see our conservation statement.

    Corbière Lighthouse

    Corbière Lighthouse is one of the most photographed buildings in Jersey. Completed in November 1873 to a design by Sir John Coode, it was the first in the British Isles to be made of concrete rather than the traditional stone. In a lecture given in 1880, engineer Imrie Bell gave its cost as £8,001.

    The lighthouse stands 45 metres (135 ft) above mean sea level, and the light, originally lit by paraffin oil, can be seen from up to 18 miles away. On a clear day it is one of the first landmarks to be sighted by anyone travelling on the ferry from the neighbouring island of Guernsey.

    The light shows for five seconds in every ten, white to seaward and red along the coast to the north and to the east. It was lit for the first time on 24 April 1874, and until 1965 the lens was lit by a vaporising paraffin (kerosene) lamp. It is now driven electrically with a 1,000-watt lamp that gives an intensity of 300,000 candles.

    The original fog signal (a bell and an explosive detonator) was replaced in 1933 by a compressed air horn. Today, the electric foghorn gives four blasts (letter C in Morse Code) every minute.

    The four keepers, who lived in the nearby cottages, kept watch until 1976, when the light was automated. As well as maintaining the light and fog signal, they passed details of approaching ships to Fort Regent Signal Station and St Helier Harbour Office.

    Images can be found at Société Jeriasie

      Property FAQ

      How many does this property sleep? The Radio Tower sleeps up to six people in three double bedrooms. Please see the floor plan for further information.

      Can I hire the property for one night? The minimum number of nights available for all of our properties (except for guided experience properties) is two nights. Please refer to the pricing section to see the number of nights available for each season.

      How do I collect the keys? Upon confirmation of your booking you will be sent a unique key code which opens the secure key box on site.

      Does the property have parking? Yes, there is plenty of parking in the public parking area adjacent to the Tower.

      What are the bathroom facilities? Each bedroom has a shower room on the same floor with an additional WC on the fifth floor.

      What heating does the property have and does it have a fire? Radio Tower is fitted with underfloor heating throughout the building.

      Does the property have a washing machine or dishwasher? Radio Tower does not have a dishwasher or a washing machine.

      Are dogs allowed to stay in the property? Due to the spiral staircase, the Tower is not suitable for dogs.

      Is there a garden? Radio Tower is located in one of the most scenic areas of Jersey overlooking the west coast and the iconic Corbiere Lighthouse. Whilst there is no private garden linked to the property, there are beautiful coastal walks with beaches only a short walk or drive away.

      Visiting Jersey

      How do I get to Jersey? Jersey is within easy reach of the UK and Europe by air and by sea. During the summer Jersey is served by over 40 departure points across the British Isles, including both scheduled and charter flights. From London airports there are up to 12 flights a day to the Island, with journey times of less than one hour. If you wish to bring your car to the Island, fast ferry services leave from the south coast of England and northern France from St Malo.

      Can I hire a car in Jersey? There are several companies you can hire a car from on the island, either before hand or on arrival. We can recommend Avis for car hire. You will get the best rates by going on their website www.avisjersey.co.uk

      Is it easy to travel around Jersey? The Island is nine miles long by five miles wide and is easy to navigate by car or bike. There is also a good public bus system which operates throughout the year.

      Can I hire a bike in Jersey? Jersey is great location for cycling with dedicated cycle tracks winding through the island, green lanes and open coast roads.

      What currency is accepted in Jersey? Both Jersey and Bank of England notes are legal tender in Jersey and circulate together, alongside the Guernsey pound and Scottish banknotes. Some retailers also accept Euros.

      Booking & Payment

      Can I pay a deposit? For our self-catering properties, if you are booking more than two months in advance of your stay we require a 50% deposit at the time of booking with the remainder due two months before your stay. If you are booking within two months of your stay then the full amount is due upon booking. For our coastal tower properties, the full amount is due upon booking and a refundable £200 cash deposit is due on collection of the keys.

      How can I pay? We accept Maestro (if issued in the UK), Visa, MasterCard and direct bank transfers.

      How do I pick up the key? For our self-catering properties keys are located in a secure key box at the property, for which you will be given a unique code to access. For coastal tower bookings, keys are collected from Jersey Museum, St Helier on the presentation of £200 cash deposit.

      How can I cancel or change my booking? If you wish to cancel or change your booking, please contact our Jersey Heritage Lets team. Please note our cancellation policy detailed on your terms and conditions.

      What time can I check-in and check-out? The earliest time you can check-in is 3.00pm with a check-out time of 10.00am for self-catering properties.

      How far in advance do I need to book? We always recommend to book as far in advance as possible as some of our properties are very popular, especially in the summer months, however we often have availability at short notice. We often require at least two week’s notice for a booking but please contact our Jersey Heritage Lets team to enquire.

      Do you have to be a Jersey Heritage member to book a property? No, our properties are available to everyone; however Jersey Heritage members receive special discounts and promotions. To find out more, please go to our Jersey Heritage members’ page.

      What happens if I can’t get to Jersey due to bad weather or I am delayed?  If for any reason you cannot travel to Jersey or your booking dates are affected by weather then please call the Jersey Heritage Lets Team as soon as possible. We do not operate a cancellation insurance policy and you will be responsible for any travel and accommodation costs incurred by you in relation to the booking. Please refer to our cancellation policy in our terms and conditions.

      What should you bring?

      With any self-catering property there are the basics you need to bring with you. Whilst we provide tea, coffee, sugar, soap, a small cleaning pack, logs for fires, bed linen, hairdryers, bathroom towels and kitchen cooking essentials there are a few recommendations for what to bring with you to make the most out of your stay.

      Beach bag – filled with everything you will need to make the most of Jersey’s beautiful beaches, including beach towels.

      Water sports – Jersey is well known as a water-sports paradise, so make sure you bring any surf boards, body boards and wetsuits.

      Binoculars – from the dolphin pods on the east coast to the world-renowned bird watching at La Mare au Seigneur in St Ouen’s Bay, and the views from the top of Radio Tower at Corbiere across to the iconic lighthouse, a pair of binoculars means you will never miss a thing!

      Wellington boots – Jersey is full of spectacular walks through fields and wooded valleys.

      Walking boots – With fifty miles of coastal cliff paths, and another fifty of green lanes walking boots are a must for the intrepid explorer, especially if you’re staying at Fort Leicester or La Crête Fort.

      A good book – essential for any holiday, but there is nothing better than a wood burning stove or fire tucked up with a good book and a cup of tea.

      DVD’s and board games – for those family nights in you may want to bring a DVD with you if you’re staying at one of our self-catering properties or a good old fashioned board game to enjoy.

      Torches – although most of our properties have electrical lighting and torches, we do recommend bringing your own.

      Water – Due to their historical nature or coastal location, some of our properties do not have access to running water or are on a bore-hole system. You will be advised on booking if we recommend bringing water with you or buying it locally. Please note bore-hole water is suitable for cooking and bathing.

      Terms & Conditions

      Click here to download our Terms & Conditions.

      Click here to read our data protection policy.

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