Jersey War Tunnels
Exhibition on life in Jersey under German occupation, housed in an underground tunnel complex dug by forced and slave workers.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Jersey War Tunnels is a product of the five years of German occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War. The tunnel complex, known to the Germans as Hohlgangsanlage 8, was dug deep into the hillside in St Lawrence by forced and slave workers from many European nations. More than 5,000 workers are recorded as having worked on it, and over 1,000 metres of tunnels run up to 50 metres below the surface.
The tunnels were designed to let German infantry withstand Allied air raids and bombardment in the event of an invasion. In 1943 they were converted into an emergency hospital. They are now the setting of an exhibition that tells the story of the Occupation in the words of the people who lived through it, from resistance through starvation to liberation.
The route leads through themed areas such as “To Leave or to Stay?”, “First Contact”, “Daily Life”, “Whispers & Lies”, the unfinished tunnel, “Fortress Island”, “Under Siege” and “Liberation”, which ends with the events of 9 May 1945. Outside, a Garden of Reflection remembers 64 islanders who died as a direct result of the Occupation.
Key themes
- Tunnel complex of more than 1,000 metres dug by forced and slave workers
- Exhibition with first-hand accounts of the German Occupation
- Recreation of an occupied Jersey home and a replica air raid shelter
- Unfinished tunnel with an audio-visual experience
- Garden of Reflection with plaques for 64 islanders
Permanent exhibition
- The Tunnels exhibition – A walk-through exhibition about Jersey under German occupation, told in the words of those who were there, from the arrival of the troops to the liberation on 9 May 1945.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £21 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £20Seniors (65+) and students (16+ with valid ID) |
| Children & teens | £10free up to age 6 · Children aged 7–15; all children must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | £20Aged 65 and over |
| Students & apprentices | £20Aged 16 and over with valid ID |
Prices for 2026. Tickets can be bought online, at the guest reception in the visitor centre or at a self-service kiosk there; booking online in advance is recommended.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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 tunnel complex is level throughout, without steps, and is accessible with pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A limited number of mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired for a small fee. The café on the first floor has lift and ramp access; toilets, disabled and baby-changing facilities are on the ground floor. The Garden of Reflection has uneven ground and is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Assistance dogs, including medical alert dogs, are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The complex is accessible with pushchairs, and baby-changing facilities are available. The museum describes the visit as family friendly. Children aged 6 and under enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Liberty Bus route 8 (Monday to Saturday, all year) and route 28 (Monday to Sunday); the tunnels are on cycle route 4.
By car
Free parking
Free parking on site; vehicles are parked at the owners’ risk. Bicycle racks are provided.
The tunnels are in the country parish of St Lawrence, about 4 miles north-west of St Helier. They are a stop on a number of island coach tours.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Café on the first floor with a light menu; gift shop on the ground floor of the visitor centre; free Wi-Fi in the café and visitor centre. Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed in the exhibition or the tunnels.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The tunnel complex can be hired for private guided tours, film screenings, receptions and corporate events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photographs of the exhibits and the tunnels for private use are allowed, and may be shared from private social media profiles; tripods and drones are not allowed. Commercial photography requires permission. |
| Good to know | The tunnels keep a constant temperature of 10–15 °C, so warm clothing is recommended. Surfaces are hard concrete and can be slippery when wet, and light levels are low in some places. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Private guided tours can be arranged for events. |
