Things to do · Alderney
Things to do in Alderney
The most northerly of the Channel Islands is about three miles long, with white-sand bays, a ring of Victorian forts and thousands of nesting gannets just offshore.
Things to do in Alderney
13 ideas
- Family & rainy days
Alderney Railway
Braye to Mannez
The only working railway in the Channel Islands, opened in 1847. Former London Underground carriages run from Braye to Mannez, near the lighthouse.
May to September, plus a few special runsMore infofor Alderney Railway (opens in a new tab) - Sights & history
Alderney Museum
St Anne
In the island's old schoolhouse of 1790, with finds from an Elizabethan shipwreck and Roman Alderney.
April to OctoberMore infofor Alderney Museum (opens in a new tab) - Sights & historyFree
The Nunnery
Longis
A 4th-century Roman fort beside Longis Bay, later reused by the Tudors and by German forces. Free to explore.
- Sights & historyFree
Alderney Bayeux Tapestry
Alderney Library, St Anne
More than 400 people stitched this imagined ending to the Bayeux Tapestry, unveiled in 2013. Free to see, but the library keeps short hours.
- Sights & historyFree
Fort Clonque
West coast
A Victorian fort on a rocky islet, joined by a causeway that floods at high tide. It's a holiday let, so admire it from the causeway or the cliffs.
- Sights & historyFree
Mannez Lighthouse
Quesnard, north-east coast
The white lighthouse with a black band, built in 1912 and a short walk from the railway's Mannez stop. Seen from outside.
- Sights & historyFree
Hammond Memorial
Near Saye Bay
A memorial to the forced and slave labourers held on Alderney during the Occupation, with plaques in five languages.
- Beaches & poolsFree
Braye Bay
Braye
White sand sheltered by the breakwater, a short walk from the harbour and Braye's pubs.
- Beaches & poolsFree
Saye Bay
North coast
A sheltered curve of white sand beside the island's campsite.
- Beaches & poolsFree
Longis Bay
Longis
Alderney's longest beach, about half a mile of sand sloping gently into the sea.
- Walks & natureFree
Gannets at Les Étacs
The Giffoine, west coast
Around 6,000 pairs of gannets nest on rocks just off the west coast. Watch from the Giffoine clifftop, where there's a bench and a telescope.
Mid-February to SeptemberMore infofor Gannets at Les Étacs (opens in a new tab) - Walks & natureFree
Forts and bunkers walk
Braye and the north coast
Alderney is ringed by Victorian forts and German defences. Visit Alderney's four-mile Walk 9 takes in Fort Albert and the strongpoint at Bibette Head.
- On the water
Alderney Wildlife Trust boat trips
Braye Harbour
Two-hour seabird trips round the gannet rocks, with puffins on Burhou from spring to July.
Seasons and opening times change, so check with each place before you go. Last checked 30 September 2026.