Place features

It has been many years since I last visited Mont Orgueil Castle (or Gorey Castle as it is more commonly known); in fact it’s been so long I can’t remember the last time that I was there.

Mont Orgueil is one of those places that I’ve looked at so many times when driving past, and I’ve seen in hundreds if not thousands of photos that I take it for granted – I never really look at it and take it in properly.

I decided that the newly renovated castle, which opened just last weekend, was the perfect opportunity to have another look at what is, arguably, Jersey’s most famous landmark.

24 Hour Museum describes it as "the jewel in Jersey’s crown" and "one of the best preserved castles in Britain", and after seeing it on a sunny April day I’m inclined to agree…

On approaching I was reminded with a jolt just what a magnificent castle it is. We really are spoiled – it’s exactly the kind of castle that could have jumped straight off the pages of a fairytale.

View of the Inner Ward and the Long Cellar.

Indeed, in the name of research I looked around at photos of some the best castles Britain can offer - and I couldn’t find any that were as impressive, let alone more impressive, than our very own Mont Orgueil standing proud above Gorey.

And whilst it is undoubtedly stunning on the outside I wasn’t let down by the inside either. What was meant to be a quick trip to take a few snaps turned into a good two hour wander because I couldn’t help being so interested: In fact I couldn’t believe it when I looked at my watch and realised I’d been looking round for so long (plus I could have stayed a good deal longer).

The new renovations have been beautifully done, all the character and charm (and spookiness in some places) of the castle has remained intact.

Although £4.5 million sounds like a lot of money to spend, a gentlemen I found lurking in one of the towers, explaining some gruesome medical practices to visitors, assured me that he had worked on similar restoration projects in the UK and that there it would have cost twice as much to get the same result.

I’m sure that there is enough going on at the Castle to keep most kids entertained for a fair while, and failing that I saw a big box of wooden swords and shields for them to play with, which certainly should do the trick.

One of the new passages open to the public

My only hesitation as to who would enjoy a day at the castle is anyone who has difficulty walking; there are lots of uneven and steep steps, especially in some of the recently discovered passages – they obviously weren’t very access friendly in medieval times!

Admittedly I went on a beautifully sunny day, so really did get to see everything looking at it’s best, nevertheless I heartily recommend going for an outing in the east and taking in “the jewel in Jersey’s crown”.

And don’t wait until you have guests to stay as an excuse to go, it’s well worth a visit now!