Exploring Alderney

Alderney, third largest of the Channel Islands, is roughly 3 miles long by 1½ at its widest, about 2,000 acres in extent and is situated in the mouth of the Channel, 9 miles due West of Cap de la Hague in Normandy. It has high cliffs along its southern coastline, the eastern part of which, the older harder rocks are overlaid with sandstone, (the only Channel Island to contain this rock), with the main plateau area, about 80m high, having most of the agricultural land and sloping steeply down to the north and east.

Its dramatic landscape with sheer cliffs and white sandy beaches make Alderney an idyllic place to explore. Uncovered causeways at low tide create the perfect opportunity to see a different view of the island where time has stood still. Details of high and low tides are available at reception or from the Harbour Master.

History & Culture

Until the mid 18th century, when the first harbour at Braye was built, in historic times almost the entire population lived in the town area, developed from the original ‘nucleated village’ settlement in a hollow around the Bourgage and the old church. There were only the water mill at Platte Saline and few buildings, except for defensive positions, outside this area. The farm buildings were mostly attached to the houses, many of which were built back into the slope of the ground behind them.

The island of Alderney is renowned for its severe tides and its rugged and dangerous coastline. Over the centuries it has proved the undoing of dozens of ships, many well known, some obscure and some whose wrecks still await discovery. Each shipwreck represents a moment frozen in time, but one in particular has provoked world-wide interest - a vessel which came to grief towards the end of the sixteenth century. If preliminary findings are correct, this is the only known wreck of an English warship of the Elizabethan Age, perhaps even one of the ships which fought against the Spanish Armada.

Wildlife

The rich birdlife of the west coast of Alderney and Burhou is particularly well-known and attracts keen birdwatchers throughout the year. Alderney is host to approximately 2% of the world’s population of northern gannets and the only European storm-petrel colony in the Channel Islands, slightly more than approximately 1% of the British population. The unique tidal streams, with speeds of up to 6 knots at spring tides, encourage a vibrant and diverse marine environment, of which little is yet known.

The United Nations Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, otherwise known as the Ramsar Convention, officially recognised Alderney’s west coast and Burhou Island as a wetland of worldwide importance on Thursday 25 August 2005. The designated Ramsar site extends to 1,500 hectares, some 600 hectares more than mainland Alderney and includes all the waters from the island’s west coast out to the northern gannet colony of Ortac, Burhou, the islets and reefs that surround it and includes Les Etacs.

One of the most famous residents on Alderney is the extremely rare Blonde Hedgehog (Leucistic), also known as “Alderney Spike Girls”. These Blondie's are very rare in Britain with only three examples found in thirty years of research, however, on the island of Alderney about twenty five percent of the hedgehog population is blonde. Blonde hedgehogs became extinct on the island in the early nineteenth century, but today there are said to be over 1,000 pairs inhabiting the island.

Old Town

The only parish of Alderney is the parish of St Anne which covers the whole island. The town is steeped in history and still features many cobbled streets and old signs. Victoria Street is the main street and is lined with quaint shops, cafés and bars which are still run with traditional opening times: Indeed it is not unusual for the whole town to close down for a two hour break for lunch, and some still operate opening only for a half day on a Wednesday.

A must see is a visit the beautiful church, often referred to as 'The Cathedral of the Channel Islands' which is surrounded by a well cared for church yard and is open daily for visitors.