Maritime Museum And Occupation Tapestry Gallery
New North Quay, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3ND
Rating: 4.5 ★ (803 ratings)
Details
Maritime Museum And Occupation Tapestry Gallery offers an interactive adventure into Jersey's seafaring past and its compelling story during the Second World War. Housed within a beautifully converted nineteenth-century granite warehouse on the New North Quay, the museum enjoys a prime position overlooking St Helier Harbour. Its deliberately hands-on displays and immersive atmosphere bring maritime legends and island history vividly to life, distinguishing it as a captivating destination for visitors.
Within the Maritime Museum, guests can explore Jersey's rich shipbuilding industry, tales of privateers and pirates, the Newfoundland cod trade, navigation, and even the island's more recent surfing culture through the 'Wave Rider' exhibit. A major highlight is the Occupation Tapestry Gallery, featuring thirteen hand-stitched panels created by Islanders to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Liberation, depicting the hardships of life under German occupation. Interactive screens accompany each tapestry panel, alongside first-hand accounts and a film, offering deeper insight. Visitors can also learn about tides and ship design, or feel the force of a high-speed gale through engaging exhibits.
This museum is particularly well-suited for families and history enthusiasts eager to explore Jersey's unique relationship with the sea and its profound wartime experiences. It provides an engaging and educational experience for all ages, enabling a deeper understanding of the island's heritage. The combination of maritime history and the deeply personal Occupation Tapestry ensures a memorable and insightful visit, helping successive generations and visitors grasp this unique period in Jersey's past.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact
+44 1534 811043 | https://www.jerseyheritage.org/visit/places-to-visit/maritime-museum-occupation-tapestry/
Comments
A very good hands on museum kids will love it as there's lot of displays to push/pull and press to make things move and work.
And the tapestry of the ww2 history in there is definitely worth a look.
Only wish: more ways to understand the exhibitions showcasing how tides and winds work… I couldn’t wrap my head around it, oops! I suggest minimum an hour for quick browsers, and about two hours if you’re more curious.
- some costumes you can borrow and wear
- I was deeply touched by the tapestry room and how it helped us understand WW2’s impact on the people of Jersey.
- as usual, polite and friendly staff
- audio guide might be more helpful for the tapestry room bc it can get congested with people trying to read and use the touchscreens
The young gentleman on the entrance was very polite.
Tapestry very good. Small gift shop and toilets on site.
The Occupation Tapestries are amazing. History comes to life through skilled craftsmanship. An absolute MUST
It starts with the Elements, offering interactive stations to explore the tides, wind etc (don't forget to walk upstairs to the little landing and see the birds and the winking puffin!). Moving on, there are sections on shipbuilding, maritime art, the Diana (a small preserved ship with a big history!), lifeboatmen and most other things you can think of! The Occupation Tapestry is at the end and offers a glimpse of life under Nazi rule during WW2 looking at the different struggles and history of the era.
I think it's a good museum and it's perfect for a group visiting with diverse interests and there is a lot of interaction with buttons to push for younger visitors. If you have a real specific interest, it may leave you wanting more. Without the heritage pass, it's on the more expensive side for an adult ticket at £14.95.
One thing I would say, if you're visiting in the colder months, it does get chilly in the galleries (old building, high ceilings!).