St Helier in the Georgian Era – Costumed Walking Tours

Kindly supported by Ogier

This summer the Trust has programmed a series of costumed walking tours around St Helier themed around Georgian history in order to bring the setting of 16 New Street to life.

The tours are led by Living History interpreter, Sue Gorin, from the Georgian House, and are intended to highlight some of the last remaining 18th century buildings in town, as well as introduce islanders to the social history of the period.
A time of unprecedented social, political and economic change, the Georgian era witnessed a rapid expansion of St Helier – boosted by the arrival of several thousand French refugees (or émigrés), who fled from France during the period of the 1789 Revolution, and a similar number of British troops brought in to strengthen the Island’s defences.

As Louisa explores the backstreets, she describes the impact the surge in population had on her daily routine, some of the challenges the inhabitants of St Helier faced during the prolonged period of tension with France and how the setting of 16 New Street developed in the Regency period (1811-1820).

“We hope this season’s series of costumed walking tours will bring the setting of 16 New Street to life, giving Islanders a greater appreciation of Jersey’s historic buildings, which are still at risk today.” Catherine Ward, Museums and Collections Manager, National Trust for Jersey

Three tours have been scheduled: a 10am tour on Thursday 11 July and two twilight tours on Thursday 15 August and Thursday 12 September. Booking is essential.