Elizabeth Castle

About the museum

The islet in St Aubin’s Bay is tied to the hermit Helibert, who is thought to have lived there in the 6th century and was later venerated as St Helier, the saint who gave the island’s capital its name. An abbey was founded on the rock in 1155, but it soon became a priory and was later abandoned.

The present fortress was begun in the late 16th century. Once gunpowder and cannon had made the medieval Mont Orgueil on the east coast unfit as the main defence, a new castle took over this role. Sir Walter Raleigh, Governor of Jersey from 1600 to 1603, named it after his queen. During the English Civil War the castle gave refuge to the future King Charles II.

The fortress was used and extended for more than 400 years and was also part of the German defences during the Occupation of 1940–1945. Today the 15-acre site includes the Hermitage, the battlements from Raleigh’s time, the restored Officers’ Quarters and the Hospital Block, where an exhibition on the Jersey Militia is shown on the first floor. In the season, living-history performers such as the Castle Gunner bring the year 1781 and the Battle of Jersey to life.

Highlights

• Battlements dating from the time of Sir Walter Raleigh
• The Hermitage, the oldest part of the site, linked to St Helier
• Castle Gunner with the midday parade and musket firing
• Renovated Officers’ Quarters and Hospital Block with an exhibition on the Jersey Militia
• Story of the castle during the German Occupation

Permanent exhibitions

• Officers’ Quarters – Renovated rooms that show how the building looked when soldiers lived in it and tell the story of a soldier in residence.
• Hospital Block and the Jersey Militia – The wards of the former military hospital and, on the first floor, an exhibition on the history of the Jersey Militia.

Founded

1594

Operated by

Jersey Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices for 2026. Jersey Heritage members enter free (ferry £2.50 return). The 7-day Heritage Pass gives unlimited entry to Jersey Heritage visitor sites. Members of the Société Jersiaise, Museums Association, ICOM, Friends of Manx National Heritage and holders of the Muséopass of the Réseau des Musées de Normandie enter free (not including the ferry). Tickets are bought at the ticket office on the day; booking is only needed for groups of 10 or more.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground is uneven throughout, several buildings have single-step entries and the staircases have no lift. The castle ferry can only be used by wheelchair users who can leave the chair unaided and walk 30 m and up and down 6 steps; electric wheelchairs cannot be carried. An accessible unisex toilet, standard toilets with step-free access, baby-change facilities and a hearing loop at reception are available. A visual story and an access statement are published on the Jersey Heritage website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Family ticket available. In the season, living-history characters such as the Castle Gunner, who takes visitors into the midday parade, and costumed cooks and soldiers tell stories of castle life.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands on a tidal island and is cut off by the tide twice a day. At low tide visitors can walk along the causeway; otherwise the amphibious Castle Ferry runs all day while the castle is open. The ferry kiosk is at the West Park Slip, opposite the Grand Hotel. There is no coach parking on site.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Castle Café with indoor and outdoor seating; gift shop at the Castle Ferry kiosk; Wi-Fi available on site. Take-a-break bags with sensory toys can be borrowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings and receptions are held at the castle; Jersey Heritage also rents out an apartment in the castle as a holiday let.

Plan your visit