Constructed on a rocky islet 422 years ago, the castle aided to protect Jersey during conflicts such as the English civil war in the 17th century. The castle was named by the governor of Jersey at the time, Sir Walter Raleigh, “Fort Isabella Bellissima” (the most beautiful Elizabeth), after Elizabeth I. Today, the castle is overseen by the Jersey Heritage Trust as a museum site, the trust take part in regular shows which give an insight to visitors as to what the castle was like when it was used as a military base, musket and cannon firing are only some of these popular displays.

Reaching the castle is easy for visitors as there is a regular ferry service run by the Jersey Heritage Trust. Or for those more willing for a walk, at low tide a walkway is revealed, however it is advised that those walking research the tides as it is not uncommon for visitors to get stranded on the islet as the tide surrounds it very quickly. Visitors can tour the 24 acre islet and explore Georgian buildings that gave retreat to Prince Charles for 10 weeks during 1645 during the English Civil War. There are also more modern additions to the castle as the Germans occupied the Channel Islands in the 20th century and modernised the fortress with battlements, guns and bunkers. The history on the island spans for over 1400 years as it is believed Saint Helier lived in a small hermitage on the islet in 550 A.D. The Hermitage is still standing within the castle and can be visited by those interested.

Life in the castle throughout its years were difficult at times during the 17th century, eight soldiers would stay in one room, often sharing beds, eating a breakfast of thin salty porridge called gruel. Wages were low at only 2 pence per day (for reference, a loaf of bread would typically cost 1 penny), soldiers may use this money for extra food or other goods. Conditions were dirty as soap would cost a soldier 14 pence so infections were common in such cramped spaces. If an infection spread, the castles surgeon would usually cut off the infected limb or use leeches to suck out any infected blood. Soldiers were busy and constantly preparing for an invasion, routinely working in groups of eight to fire cannons that could reach 1300 meters at a rate of twice per minute. This regular exposer to loud sounds left many soldiers with little to no hearing, and frequent use of gunpowder could leave soldiers with weak lungs and kidneys or a respiratory disease.

Completing this research and reading many visitors reviews I understand the most popular attractions to the castle, therefore I can work towards incorporating these aspects in my shoot as well as focusing on the post war attraction theme to help draw in tourists.