Sail away to Jersey

Trip Advisor has recently rated it as the sixth best island in Europe, beating off the likes of Tenerife, Majorca and Corsica.

And for anyone thinking of taking a trip to Jersey to see what it's like for themselves, there is a new way of getting to the island, which boasts idyllic beaches, stunning scenery, cosmopolitan chic and perhaps most importantly, the UK's warmest year-round climate.

After a £50 million investment, Condor Ferries new flagship Liberation is now up and running. The first vessel of its kind in Northern Europe, its three-hull design is said to offer greater stability for passengers – handy in what can sometimes be choppy waters.

Inside, Liberation is like an airport lounge, with its own duty free shop, children's play area and three seating areas including two upgrade lounges all designed to make the journey as smooth as possible.

It takes around four and a half hours to get from Poole to Jersey, including a stop at neighbouring Guernsey.

Although Jersey covers just 45 square miles, once you arrive on the island there are plenty of things to do, from exploring its fascinating wartime past as the only part of the British Isles to have been invaded by Nazi Germany, to visiting one of its many sandy beaches.

Closer to France than England, Jersey is a curious mix of the two; you are as likely to get a cream tea as you are a savoury gallette pancake, and while the street and place names have a Gallic ring to them, the cash machines will dispense UK Sterling – though they still have one pound notes.

One place that should be top of the 'must see' list is the Durrell Wildlife Park, founded by the well-known author and television presenter Gerald Durrell. Set in 31 acres of land, the sheer beauty of the site puts many UK zoos to shame and gives visitors the chance to come face to face with some of the rarest animals in the world.

As the Channel Islands were occupied by the Germans from 1940-45, it is well worth taking the time to learn all about Jersey's past, much of which is still very evident as you drive around the island.

On every coast there are fortifications, dating back to Napoleonic Wars, many of which were later used by the Germans as they made the Channel Islands one of the strongest points in Hitler' Atlantic Wall. Some of these concrete bunkers are open during summer months as museums, others have been left to nature and can be explored – with care and a torch.

If you fancy delving back even further in time you can take a trip to the stunning Mont Orgueil Castle which overlooks picturesque Gorey harbour. For more than 600 years it protected Jersey from French invasion and is now open for the public to explore its network of stairs, towers and rooms.

Of course another part of Jersey's history worth discovering is its seafaring past and the maritime museum in the capital St Helier is also well worth a visit, particularly if you have young children. When we arrived we were told to touch everything – a good sign when you have got a toddler in tow and it didn't disappoint.

You can feel the force of a gale wind, learn how to design and float a ship and even help steer boats around a giant metal globe as tales are told of adventures on the high seas.

One tip, if you are thinking about visiting a number of historic sites, is to pick up a cut price heritage pass that gives you seven day access to the maritime museum, castle and several other sites.

All the sightseeing works up somewhat of an appetite and you won't be disappointed with the food choices in Jersey either. From a basic bite to eat through to Michelin star dining, everything you could ever want to eat and more is here. As you can imagine seafood fans won't be disappointed either, stopping at a café by the beach to tuck into some freshly caught food as you look out onto the sea will be a highlight of your break. There are plenty of options for accommodation, from plush hotels to glamping at the wildlife park. We stayed at the Les Ormes Leisure Resort, a great option for those with kids as its lodges have separate bedrooms, a swimming pool on site, restaurant and play area.

With the best weather in the UK, fascinating history and stunning scenery you can't go far wrong with a trip to Jersey, and unlike the other options in Trip Advisor's top 10 you don't need to bother with your passport to get there.

Travel facts

Condor Ferries operates a year-round service to the Channel Islands from Poole with its new state-of-the-art trimaran fast ferry Condor Liberation, alongside a conventional ferry service from Portsmouth

Prices start from under £50pp for a car and two passengers each way

For reservations visit Condorferries.com or call 0845 609 1024

Les Ormes Apartments is the only self-catering resort in Jersey

To book, visit lesormesjersey.co.uk or call 01534 497028