Devil's Hole
Devil's Hole, La Grande Rue, St Mary, Jersey, JE3 3BF
Details
Devil's Hole is a natural crater in the cliffs of St. Mary on the north coast of Jersey. Measuring approximately 100 feet across and 200 feet deep, it was formed over millennia by the sea eroding the roof of a coastal cave until it collapsed. Originally known as 'Le Creux de Vis' or Spiral Cave, its name dramatically changed to Devil's Hole in the 19th century. One popular legend attributes this to the 1851 shipwreck of a French boat, whose figurehead was supposedly swept into the crater. A local sculptor is said to have transformed this figurehead into a wooden devil, complete with horns.
Today, a metal replica of this devil statue stands in a pool along the winding path leading down to the viewing platform, adding to the site's eerie atmosphere. From the platform, visitors can peer down into the blowhole and witness the power of the waves crashing through the tunnel entrance onto the rocks below. The walk from the Priory Inn car park to Devil's Hole takes about 10-15 minutes and offers superb views of the cliff line; on a clear day, Guernsey, Herm, and the French coast can be seen. The site is managed by the National Trust for Jersey, having been donated to them in 2006.
Location
Opening Hours
Open all year round.
Contact
National Trust for Jersey: 01534 483193, [email protected]. The Priory Inn (nearby pub, parking for Devil's Hole): (01534) 485307, [email protected].