suggested tours of elizabeth castle

Tour 1

Lower Ward
The Guard House was built in the earlier nineteenth century to replace the Old port guard. The Belfry housed the bell which rang when the causeway was about to be covered and the castle would be cut off. Fort Charles was originally built as an outpost in the 1640s and became part of the castle during the 1668 extension. During the Occupation a light machine gun was placed here.

The Hospital and workshops were built about 1800 on the site of the Governor's stables and the seventeenth century fortified windmill.

The Second Gateway was built in the 1690s and bears the coat of arms of King William III. During the Occupation the gateway was widened by about 2Ocms to allow lorries to pass through.

The West Bastion was built in the 1660s to allow guns to fire along the length of the walls. In addition to the cannon embrasures there are small musket loops set in the wall.

The Concealed Steps to the Ditch were built in 1781 - the same year as the Battle of Jersey. At the bottom of the stairs is one of three magazines used for storing gunpowder.

The Ditch was originally the storm beach which was seperated the two islets. Sally ports at either end lead to the outside.

The Third Gateway is the entrance into the Lower Ward. The castle had been extended this far by 1636. A German 105mm casemate was built in
1942 on the site of the earlier Royal Bastion. When it was built about a third of the eighteenth century Canteen was demolished.

The buildings around the Parade ground house the museum displays the cafe and the toilets.

Tour 2

Upper Ward
Follow the path behind the Militia Museum from where there is an excellent view over the breakwater and towards the rock on which St Helier lived in the sixth century. The Iron Gate was built in 1600 and marks the first extension to the original castle.

Queen Elizabeth's Gate was originally the main gate to the first castle.

The Captain's House - only the kitchen remains although in the low wall to the left there are traces of five window arches. The cellar was converted into a shell store in the nineteenth century. Captain was another name for the Lieutenant Governor.

The Governor's House was built in the 1590s and it was here that Charles II lived during his short stay in the 1640s.

The Mount, the original site of the first defensive works on the island, now houses the German Fire Control Tower.