Watch: "Like a seaside town that's won the lottery" – TikTok travel star's Jersey review gets half-a-million viewers - Jersey Evening Post

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Watch: “Like a seaside town that’s won the lottery” – TikTok travel star’s Jersey review gets half-a-million viewers

by Fiona Potigny 20 June 202619 June 2026

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AN AWARD-winning travel vlogger’s tongue-in-cheek tour of Jersey – ranging from sampling Wonders at the War Tunnels to marvelling at an F1 star’s former home and delivering a tax explainer from a park bench – has attracted nearly half-a-million viewers.

Phil Carr, who was named TikTok Travel Creator of the Year in 2025, gave a glowing review after spending three days touring the Island.

Reflecting on the trip, he said the Island stood apart from other low-tax jurisdictions he had visited.

“We’ve been to tax havens, you and I. We’ve been to Dubai. We’ve been to Monaco. We’ve been to Andorra,” he told viewers. “St Helier, Jersey, doesn’t feel like any of those. It feels a bit like a seaside town that’s won the lottery.”

The YouTuber stayed at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel and spent much of his visit exploring St Helier, including a tongue-in-cheek tax explainer delivered from a bench in Parade Gardens.

After browsing estate agents’ windows, he observed that local property prices were “basically Surrey prices, but not Surrey tax”.

As the sun set, Mr Carr made his way to Kitty O’Shea’s and Legends in Colomberie as he sought out what he described as “non-posh bars”.

After expressing delight at discovering Jersey’s £1 notes over a pint, his evening tour later took in The Blind Pig, where he praised an Old Fashioned cocktail. Elsewhere, he gave favourable reviews to The Mulcaster, The Lamplighter, the “down-to-earth” Mary Rose, and The Cambridge, which he described as a “proper pub” and standout spot for sports fans.

Venturing out of town, Mr Carr opted for what he described as a “lethal-looking” electric Evie hire car – with which he developed a love-hate relationship, joking about its modest power as he criss-crossed the Island and occasionally struggled with its hills and green lanes.

The small vehicle took him to Gorey, Jersey Zoo, Pallot Steam Museum and the impressive natural crater of Devil’s Hole, which he confessed had first caught his attention because of its “kinky”-sounding name.

But the Island’s wartime history and apparent status as “one of the most fortified islands on the entire planet” appeared to leave the biggest impression.

Describing Jersey War Tunnels as “brilliantly done” and a “must-visit” following a tour, Mr Carr went on to observe: “One of the things that surprised me was how many workers were brought over here – I didn’t realise it was on that scale – and the relationships between the Islanders, the workers, and the soldiers, good and bad.

“…It is a miniseries waiting to happen for Amazon or Netflix. All of the relationships, spying, and skulduggery – it would be fantastic.”

He also sampled a traditional Jersey Wonder at the Tunnels’ café, describing it as “a doughnut-shortbread” combination and giving it a positive review.

During a boat trip aboard the Jersey Duchess, Mr Carr marvelled at the Island’s coastline – including La Cotte and the cliffside home formerly owned by Formula One champion Nigel Mansell.

Not everything lived up to expectations: Mr Carr said he was disappointed not to spot any dolphins during his boat trip – “not even a fin”.

Having enthusiastically scaled the steps of Pier Road to observe Fort Regent, he was similarly let down to find the military construct-turned-leisure centre and its ramparts closed, observing: “Obviously not enough people came, and now it’s just sort of left there.”

Heading to Mount Bingham for an alternative panoramic view of the Island, Mr Carr admitted that he had expected to see more visitors around at the start of the summer season.

“Jersey is really quiet. I thought there would be far more holidaymakers here because it’s the start of holiday season… Hopefully it picks up for them later in the summer,” he said.

Despite those observations, the verdict was overwhelmingly positive.

“I couldn’t recommend it more,” he said.

The creator’s hour-long Jersey feature has attracted more than 70,000 views on YouTube, while a shorter video about the trip has been watched more than 430,000 times on TikTok.

Watch it below:

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