St Aubin’s harbour area combines views of boats and water with a tangible trading history. The pier, merchants’ houses and cobbled High Street tell the story of warehousing and the cod trade; St Aubin’s Fort offers a distinct focus on the defence of the harbour and the island. If you are considering St Aubin as a place to stay, these themes offer a practical guide: the key question is whether you are more interested in trading and architectural history, military history or a longer route along a former railway line.
Harbour, Pier and Trading History
St Aubin’s first pier was built in 1675. A row of merchants’ houses with large cellars for storing imported goods was built afterwards. This shows how the pier and warehousing are linked in the town’s history: the cellars of the merchants’ houses served a practical purpose.
St Aubin’s High Street is a cobbled street with historic buildings; many were built with profits from the cod trade. Two economic connections are therefore apparent: the storage of imported goods in the cellars and the building history associated with the proceeds of the cod trade.
Buildings, Use and Remembrance
Jacksons Yacht Services is located in a late-18th-century sail loft that continues to serve its original purpose. St Magloire in St Aubin was once the home of Charles Robin, a leading merchant in the Newfoundland cod trade. This is a different historical connection from that of the sail loft: here, the focus is on a former resident. For travellers interested in the people behind the trade, this story adds a personal perspective to the history of the buildings and their use.
St Aubin’s Fort: Two Centuries of Defence
The site has two historical milestones: St Aubin’s Fort dates from the 17th century, while its development began with a 16th-century watchtower. The tower was intended to protect the island from a possible invasion. In the 17th century, during the English Civil War, it was repaired and surrounded by gun emplacements. As a fort, it was intended to protect the ships in St Aubin’s harbour. Its development therefore links two scales of defence: protecting the island and protecting the ships in the harbour. According to Visit Jersey, the fort is accessible at low tide; check access before your visit.
Railway Walk: Relics of a Former Railway Line
The Railway Walk follows the former railway line from St Aubin to La Corbière for more than four miles. The route features railway relics from a line that was last used during the Occupation. Alongside the harbour and architectural history, this brings a distinct transport history into view: the route is shaped by its former use and the associated relics. Its length and endpoints make it a separate focus alongside the individual historic buildings. The Railway Walk is described as being more suitable for electric wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Discover more destinations: Gorey, Saint Saviour, Rozel, Saint Brelade, Grouville, Saint Helier Jersey, Saint Peters Jersey, Trinity
For the overview of the wider destination: Jersey.
