Cycling in Jersey - Route B - West Central
Waterworks Valley, Hamptonne Country Life.
Attractions
Hamptonne Country Life Museum, Jersey Power Centre, La Mare Vineyards, Greve de Lecq Barracks, The Living Legend, German Underground Hospital, Le Moulin de Quétivel.
Refreshment Stops
There are a number of stop-off points on this route, including most of the visitor attractions and some of the National Trusts properties, also several pubs and cafés.
Distance
17 miles (27.2 km)
START: From the Mont Félard Hotel at Millbrook in the Parish of St Lawrence (see section on routes out of town for directions from Liberation Square), head east towards St Helier. Turn first left into Chemin des Moulins (sign-posted Waterworks Valley Cl 16). At one time the water-mills in this valley provided the flour for the Island’s bread.
The route passes alongside Jersey’s first (1895) and second (1911) reservoirs. Follow the main road for two miles (3.2 km) to the Hamptonne Country Life Museum (there is an entrance fee). After Hamptonne, continue along Chemin des Moulins to the T-junction. Turn left (sign-posted to St Lawrence Church) into Rue des Corvées. Turn first right and right again onto the main road. Then turn first left, then left again into Route de l’Eglise and right into Mont l’Evesque.
At the bottom of the hill you cannot miss the charming Le Rât Cottage. Try the water from La Fontaine St Martin on the opposite side of the road. Turn right after Le Rât, up the hill past the abreuvoir and first right up Mont Isaac; notice the date stone at the house at the top (1760). Cross over into the narrow ‘green lane’, a typical Jersey lane — ‘un chemin A quatre pieds’ — which leads to Avranches, a beautiful country home set in magnificent gardens.
At the next junction cross into the ‘green lane’ opposite (La Ruette) and then turn right and immediately left. There is now an easy, long lane (Rue du Douet de Rue), passing another example of a country home on the right. Just before this house is the turning off left to the Jersey Flower Centre.
The route continues to a crossroads at the end of Rue du Douer de Rue. Turn right here (Rue de Bel Air). The rear entrance to St John’s Manor will be on your right very shortly. Turn next left (Rue des Buttes). Cross over the main road into Sr John’s Village.
To leave St John’s Village keep the church on your left and the shops on your right. Turn right at the main road and first left (Rue de l’Etocquet).
Follow Rue de l’Etocquet and fork left at the next yellow line into Le Canibur. Ignore all turnings from now until you reach Mont de Ia Barcelone. Be careful down the steep hill: holiday traffic including coaches uses this route.
At the bottom of the hill is Mourier Valley; turn sharp right into Chemin des Hougues and up the hill to the high ground overlooking the seit, where fine views can be had frotn the headland, a short walk off the road. As this is a conservation area, do not cycle on the headland.
Immediately after the Priory Inn, turn right, then right again at La Mare Vineyards, into Rue de La Hougue Mauger, which becomes Route des Touertes. Turn right at the T-junction at the end of Route des Touerres into Rue de Crabbè, then left into Chemin du Côrel and down the steep hill into Grève de Lecq. At the bottom of the hill turn sharp right.
Leave the bay by the B65 with the Jersey Round Tower (1780) on your left. Halfway up the hill turn right at the ‘No entry’ sign and walk your bike up the narrow lane. At the top, fork left along Rue de Ia Ville Bagot. There is a 1714 date stone on the cottage on the left.
Ar the end of this lane, turn briefly onto the main road, then fork left just past the Leoville Hotel into Rue de la Capelle (which becomes Rue du Creux Baillot). After about half a mile, turn left into the main road and first left into Rue de Ia Ville au Neveux. ignore all turnings to left and right; at the yellow line crossing the route, fork left into Rue Mahier and at the main road continue straight across into La Charrière. Watch our for a pretty thatched cottage on the right-hand side (Le Ronvillais). Turn right here and cycle down to Sr Mary’s School.
Turn left at the school and first right into Route de l’Eglise, bringing you to Sr Mary’s Corintry Inn and Sr Mary’s Church. Cross over the main road into Rue de Ia Vallèe opposite the pub, Join the main road sign-posted Sr Peter’s Valley B26, and continue until you reach La Chève Rue on the left.
Follow this lane to The Living Legend (very short detour to the right), then rejoin the route towards the Underground Hospital. Ignore the toirning on the right and proceed along Le Pissor until you reach the T-junction. Turn right here and first left into Rue de Ia Fontaine St Martin, bringing you to Morel Farm, a Hugotenot house from the 16th century.
At the crossroads at Morel Farm turn right along Les Charrières Malorey, until you reach the German Underground Hospital. From here descend Meadow Bank, passing the HQ of the Battle of Flowers Association, and turn right at Tesson Chapel, then left at Tesson Mill into) Rue du Moulin. This follows the stream that forms the boundary of St Lawrence and St Peter.
Turn left at the shop, then right following the Beaumont Perqotage by the stream. Cross the main road onto the cycle track to end this tour; turn left towards St Helier or right to St Aubin.
PTGH wish to thank Jersey Tourism for their help in providing the above information.
15/11/07
