Since 2019, Jersey War Tours (JWT) and Jersey Seafaris (JS) have been partnering on a series of WW2 tours to tell the WW2 history of the Occupation, focusing on the local stories that tie into the significant events of the Second World War. This is always mixed with local maritime history, wildlife and set with the beautiful backdrop of our island. We had been looking for a historical building suitable to enrich these stories with an area for a gallery of historical photos and space to display many of the WW2 artefacts in our collection. With both JWT and JS being based in St Martin, the St Catherine Tunnels and surrounding area makes a fantastic site for us to do this. The site provides the space for us to create an interactive, educational, and immersive museum experience as well as allowing us to preserve a unique Second World War fortification.
The tunnel complex was partly converted into a fish farm in the 1960s and stopped trading in 2023. The fish farm offered tours of the bunker and fish farm, and in 2024, Jersey War Tours and Jersey Seafaris became the new custodians of the site. The fish farm is no longer functioning, but the tours continue telling the occupation story and the tunnel's post-war life. The team is also safeguarding and, where possible, restoring the WW2 history of the site. The money raised by the tour is invested back into the site and the work required to preserve its history.
To become a member and get involved in the project, or even to get regular updates, click the ko-fi link above.