Walk 13: N Fascinating architecture, migrant birds and coastal views

Alderney

1.5 HOURS

moderate

This walk takes in some of the island’s 3 LES MOURIAUX HOUSE fascinating architecture, migrant birds Reputed to be the finest Georgian house in the and spectacular coastal views and will , Les Mouriaux House was the take around one-and-a-half hours. The second fine mansion built by the Le Mesuriers. trail starts at the Visitor Information It is built of local stone with classical proportions. Centre. Turn right up Victoria Street and Both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II take the first right through the grand have visited. granite archway of the Prince Albert Memorial Gate to St Anne’s Church. 4 THE LUFTWAFFE HEADQUARTERS AND LISTENING POST 1 ST ANNE’S CHURCH The Luftwaffe Headquarters and listening post St Anne’s church was completed in 1850 and is one of the most obvious remnants of the extensive was one of the early works of the famous Victorian fortifications built by the occupying German architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. It is often forces in 1940-45. This imposing tower would referred to as the ‘Cathedral of the Channel Islands’. have played an important role in observing incoming enemy aircraft and co-ordinating defensive fire. 2 THE ISLAND HALL The Island Hall was built in 1763 on the site B5 RICKFIELDS of an earlier mansion, home to the Le Mesurier The Brickfield site was used by German forces as family, hereditary governors of from accommodation and workshops for the Strongpoint, 1721. In 1779 the mansion became Government flak battery and radar position located to the House and it remains the seat of the States south of the Airport Road. Just after the war, of Alderney to this day, hosting the island’s the re-established farming industry used the government offices. buildings at Brickfields.

TALK TO US +44 (0) 1481 723552 VISITGUERNSEY.COM 6 ISLAND 9 FORT TOURGIS Burhou Island is part of the internationally Fort Tourgis, completed in 1855, was designed important Ramsar site which includes a large area to accommodate 346 men, and was originally of coast and inshore water between Alderney and planned as the largest of Alderney’s Victorian , the pyramidal rock that can be seen beyond forts. It mounted 33 heavy cannon in five Burhou. The home of a very important seabird batteries, together with four 13-inch mortars. colony, Burhou provides nesting sites for puffins, storm petrels and lesser black backed gulls. 10 ALDERNEY BREAKWATER Completed in 1864, the breakwater was 7 GARDEN ROCKS (LES ETACS) intended to provide a harbour for the Royal In 1940, a single pair of Northern Gannets Navy. This was developed by successive nested on Les Etacs. The colony grew, partly Admiralty Boards during 1854-58, the final through lack of disturbance from any fishing proposal being a west breakwater 2012 metres activity during World War Two, and by 2011, long and an east breakwater from Chateau à there were 5,765 pairs of gannets on Les Etacs, L'Etoc 518 metres long enclosing 150 acres. and a further 2120 pairs on Ortac. These The final cost was £1,274,200 – a huge sum colonies account for 2% of the world population. in mid Victorian Britain.

8 FORT CLONQUE Constructed in 1855, Fort Clonque was built on a rocky in the Swinge, on the exposed northwest coast of Alderney. Today it is owned by the Landmark Trust, and is one of the most popular properties in their collection of heritage buildings available for holiday lettings.

Breakwater 9

HARBOUR

Fort Commercial lonque Quay 10 8 7 Pond

Douglas Jetty 6 (Quay)

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Courtil Lubin

Le Phillippe L #TASTYWALKS TALK TO USa C +44 (0) 1481 723552 or vée å

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