Alderney "Once in a Lifetime" Island Getaway!

Join OutdoorLads for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as we fly off across the Channel to spend four days on the magical island of Alderney. Lying only a few miles off the Normandy shore, Alderney is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. 

About Alderney

With history and human remains dating back to the last major ice-age, Alderney has been an island for the better part of ten thousand years. Measuring only four square miles, with one parish (St Anne's), it is the third largest of the Channel Islands and the only remaining continental possessions of a Crown brought to us by William the Conqueror. The major fortifications were started by Henry VIII as part of his defence of the realm and were continued throughout the next four hundred years. 

The position of the Channel Islands so close to France made them a perfect place for privateers, many of whom grew rich on their spoils. Indeed much of this loot was spent on some of the fine buildings still extant on the island. New forts, expanded church and warehouses and quays. 

During the Victorian period, the British Government funded the building and upgrading of thirteen forts and naval installations. Among these included a new, much enlarged breakwater and Fort Clonque. 

During the second World War, the British War Office and Winston Churchill decided that they were unable to defend the Channel Islands. Alderney, with a population of c.1500 was entirely evacuated in June 1940 leaving a deserted island which the German forces occupied. They quickly set about building parts of the Atlantic Wall, four internment camps and dozens of buildings. Due to blockading by the Royal Navy and the war crimes committed on the island, islanders were unable to return home until December 1945. When they did they found their houses ransacked, burnt down or simply destroyed. 

For several years the island operated as a communal farm, with all profits going into a Government backed fund aimed at rebuilding Alderney. By 1948 Alderney had established a measure of self governance and were moved from the Home Office to the Baliwick of Guernsey for legal, economic and governance functions. This included the running of the airport and harbour facilities. 

With these changes the island was able to move from an almost exclusively arable economy to a more service and tourism based system. Being part of the Baliwick had significant tax and business benefits and several large multinational enterprises base themselves in Alderney. 

Between beautifully soft, sandy beaches and impressive cliffs, Alderney and its surrounding islets support a rich flora and fauna. Trees are rather scarce, as many were cut down in the 17th century to fuel the lighthouses on Alderney and the Casquets. Those trees that remain include cabbage trees, due to the mild climate – often miscalled "palms" but of the lily family), and there are some small woods dotted about the island. Puffins on Burhou and gannets on Les Étacs (popularly called Gannet Rock) just off Alderney are a great draw for many visitors to the island.

The Accommodation 

We will be staying in the beautifully restored Fort Clonque - a Landmark Trust property - which has rather comfortable space for thirteen of us to stay. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the Fort is linked to the rest of the island by a tidal causeway. 

Warm, cosy wood lined rooms, open fires and offering breath taking views the mostly twin rooms, with private bathrooms and living quarters, are spread across several small buildings around the central courtyard. Take a look at the location, for my meagre description could never do this amazing place justice!

Additional Costs

As this event is on a island some forty minutes from mainland Britain, YOU WILL HAVE TO BOOK  YOUR OWN PASSAGE TO THE ISLAND - Aurigny flies there from several mainland airports and is one option available to you. (At the time of writing, flight times hadn't been made available yet.) 

The cost of the event will include some meals - breakfast each day, dinner on three days. We'll eat at the pub one night, You will need to buy your own drink - there are of course restrictions on the transport weights but there are shops in St Anne. We are also planning to have a celebratory meal out in the pub one evening so a few notes may help!

Payment by Instalments

OutdoorlLads appreciates that not everyone may be able to pay for our events in one lump sum. If you are affected by this, please contact our office team at support@outdoorlads.com who will assist in taking payments for the event in instalments.  Please note the final instalment will need to be made at least one month prior to the event to guarantee your place.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

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Photos: Taken by SimonH used with permission