Tiny Alderney is just three and a half miles long and one and a half wide — at its widest point — but it’s still the third largest of the Channel Islands, and the only one that’s actually located in the English Channel. The pale golden beaches are just one of the treats of Alderney’s coastline, with stunning rocky outcrops creating a habitat for seabirds, with over 260 different species around to spot, and sparkling coves inviting marine life. The best places to stay on Alderney are ideal for anyone looking for an opportunity to slow down and escape traffic, crowds and queues.
Alderney has no cities and just the one town, St. Anne, which you’re never that far away from. Likewise the coast. Considering Alderney’s size, St. Anne’s church is a magnificent surprise; one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture on the Channel Islands, it is cathedral-esque, with stained glass windows and a beautiful entrance. Other sightseeing highlights include the WWII Memorial — Alderney was taken by the Germans, and became a forced labour camp — a WWII German military tower and the Alderney Museum, where you can learn more about life under german occupation, as well as other fascinating facts about this little island.
The best places to stay on Alderney are ideal for families, and for walkers and cyclists, as well as twitchers and animal-lovers. There are plenty of boat trips out to see the unique colonies of sea birds, many taking you to Burhou, an islet that’s become a real haven for all kinds of sea birds. The island is also perfect for a spot of rock pooling. The Alderney Railway is a good way to see everything and donn't miss trying as many local delicacies as you can fit in.
