Accommodation | Food & Drink | Experiences 20 December 2022

Self Catering Guide for Alderney

Alderney’s self-catering properties are ideal for discovering Island life at your own pace. Enjoy the comforts of home while you explore the unique history, wildlife and beaches of our second-largest Island. 

Where to Stay

There are so many different self catering accommodations on Alderney, ranging from Child and Pet Friendly campsites to small apartments ideal for a romantic getaway, there are even entire forts for the whole family. Here are just a few examples of what we have to offer.

La Marette

Open throughout the year and decorated in a charming nautical style, this spacious second floor studio apartment is fully equipped to cater for a perfect holiday for two. There is a cosy lounge area, a dining area, a well-equipped kitchen with a fridge/freezer and dishwasher, a double-bedroom and bathroom. Included in your package are a free supply of beach towels, bath and hand towels, tea towels, bed linen, freeview TV and free wifi. 

Fort Clonque

Fort Clonque was designed in 1847 to protect the Channel Islands from capture by the French as they became more strategically useful. The fort fell into disuse before being rescued by the Landmark Trust in 1966; it now provides comfortable self-catering accommodation spread across several different buildings. Perched on a group of large rocks, you reach the Fort by a causeway leading to a drawbridge, and at high tide the Fort is cut off from the rest of the island.

La Frette Farm

La Frette Farm is situated on 3.5 acres of grassland, just a 4-minute walk from The Blonde Hedgehog Hotel. Set on the end of the coastal path, head off on an island walk or settle down and take in the tranquillity. Sleeping 8-10 people, La Frette has three double bedrooms; one with a super king bed and the other two with king-sized beds. There is one ensuite and one shared shower room, as well as a children's twin room with an ensuite shower room. There is a large lounge and dining room with fantastic views, a fully equipped kitchen and utility room, a guest cloakroom and a log burner to keep you warm even on the coldest winter evenings. 

Villa Mondrian

Villa Mondrian is just a short walk from Victoria Street, the heart of Alderney's St Anne, with many restaurants, shops and bars nearby. Take a stroll down the hill to the beautiful sands of Braye Beach.  Villa Mondrian features 4 en-suite bedrooms, but is not a guest house. Each room is equipped with a mini fridge and toaster as well as hot-drink facilities.  You will be provided with a complimentary welcome pack which you can enjoy in the comfort of your room or private terrace.

Saye Beach Campsite

Recently refurbished to a high standard with a new bathroom block, dry room and children's play area, Saye Beach Campsite is found by the beautiful Saye Beach, just two minutes from the surf of Corblets Bay and the family-friendly Arch Bay. It is a 10-minute walk from Quesnard Lighthouse and 15 minutes from the 9-hole Alderney Golf Course. It offers a well-stocked shop with teas, coffees, ice creams and beach goods and a picnic area. Tents are available for hire, from £45 per night to £65 per night, or you can pitch your own tent for £10 per adult and £6 per child. Child rates apply to those under 15. The hired tents sleep up to 6 people and come fully equipped with inflatable mattresses and all of the amenities needed to cook, so all you need are sleeping bags, available to hire at the campsite. Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead. They also offer festival tents and mattresses with a communal field kitchen nearby.

To find out more information, or to find an even larger variety of unique self catered accommodations, click here.

Self Catering Food Options

Self catering holidays are great fun, but there is the added pressure of knowing where to find food. Unlike staying in a hotel, you don’t have the luxury of just popping down to the hotel restaurant. However, you do have the opportunity to live like a local and discover local produce, which can be found in abundance on Alderney. Below are some of the most popular local food and produce sellers to help you find your favourite food.

Alderney Farm Shop

The Alderney Farm Shop on Victoria Street is run by the island farmer Michael Cox and his family. They are an official stockist of Waitrose and, in addition to everyday essentials, the shop has a wide selection of fresh local produce including their own Kiln Farm reared beef and dairy produce, fresh seasonal fish and island-grown vegetables. They also have their own in-house cooks who produce freshly made soups, pies, salads and coleslaws every day along with fresh bread, hot pasties, muffins and other bakery delights. They offer home delivery 6 days a week (Monday - Saturday), just email alderneyfarmshop@suremail.gg with your name, number and order, and they will do the rest.

Jean’s Stores

Jean's Stores on Braye Street, close to the harbour, is the sister shop to the Alderney Farm Shop, run by the Cox Family. They are also an official Waitrose stockist and stock a lot of the freshly made produce from the Farm Shop. They offer home delivery 6 days a week (Monday - Saturday), all you have to do is email alderneyfarmshop@suremail.gg with your name, number and order.

McAllister’s Wet Fishmongers

McAllister's is a family business who have been selling locally caught fish for over 35 years. Their fish counter boasts an impressive display of seasonal fish and shellfish. The daily catch is processed immediately upon arrival to ensure the highest quality. They also supply wholesale products, frozen food, confectionery and tinned, packaged and dry goods.

The Butchers General Store

Supplying a range of homeware, gifts, souvenirs, cosmetics, hygiene products, and food, The Butchers source their goods from local businesses with ethically sourced and environmentally focused products. They are passionate about reducing waste and have a selection of loose ingredients for you to stock up with at The Alderney Weigh. They provide cloth bags and glass bottles, or you can bring your own packaging.

Image above © Alderney Roots

Le Cocq’s Le Huret

Le Cocq's Le Huret store stocks a wide range of groceries, including fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen food, food-to-go and daily baked bread and croissants. There is a delicatessen counter where you can buy freshly filled rolls, cheeses, cut meats and olives and the fish counter has a large selection of fresh, locally supplied fish. They can deliver your shopping after 1pm and can arrange groceries for holidaymakers, just call 01481 824646.

Le Cocq’s Freezer Centre

Le Cocq's Freezer Centre has lots of frozen products as well as general groceries and fresh fruit and vegetables. They also offer food-to-go, including ‘Bake & Bite’ from their hot food unit. They can deliver your shopping after 1pm and can arrange groceries for holidaymakers, just call 01481 824322.

Hedge Veg stores

If you spend any time at all wandering the lanes of Alderney, it won't be long until you happen upon a hedge veg stall, a unique and charming staple of life in The Islands of Guernsey, where islanders sell their homegrown goods, from tomatoes and potatoes to homemade baked goods and crafts. Read more about Hedge Veg here.

Eating Out & Takeaway Options

Sometimes even the best cooks don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen. You are on holiday after all, so here are some alternatives that will allow you to find quality food that you don’t have to cook.

Restaurants

If you don’t want to cook, Alderney is well known for its wide array of quality restaurants, bars and bistros. Some local favourites include, The Georgian House, Jack's, The Blonde Hedgehog Restaurant and Cantina no. 6. There is something to cater to every taste and dietary requirement; for a full list of restaurants, click here.

Takeaways

As mentioned, many of the food and produce suppliers, such as Alderney Farm Shop, Jeans Stores, Le Cocq’s Le Huret and Le Cocq’s Freezer Centre, will deliver directly to your door.

Several restaurants on Alderney offer a takeaway service including Mai Thai, Nellie Grays Indian, PJ's Cafe and The Moorings. Many of these allow you to sit inside but offer a takeaway menu for you to enjoy as a picnic or in the comfort of your accommodation.

For a traditional seaside meal, take a trip to Braye Chippy. Within just a few minutes of ordering, you can be sat on nearby Braye Beach or on the harbour wall enjoying this Island classic. If you want to sit in, you can enjoy your food watching Alderney's amazing sunset on their terrace or take in the harbour view from one of the cosy window seats.

Travelling around the Island

There are many different ways to travel around Alderney that allow you to explore all that the Island has to offer.

Bike Hire

Cycling on Alderney gives you easy access to key attractions and allows you to explore at your own pace. Whether you are looking for a few hours of cycling fun or to hire a bike for several days, both are possible from Cycle & Surf. They offer bikes for all the family, with tag-a-longs and child seats available for smaller children. Electric bikes and tandems are also available.

Car Hire

Braye Car Hire is a family run business with a large range of vehicles available for hire, whatever your needs, including automatics and estate cars.

Walking

It's easy to explore Alderney on foot. There are many pathways and coastal routes across the Island, allowing you to discover those hidden gems off the beaten track.  

Taxis

Alderney has two regulated, licensed taxi services, A1 Taxis and Bill's Taxis. The taxi rank at the airport has dedicated taxi phone lines. We highly recommend booking your taxis in advance wherever possible.

A1 Taxis - 01481 824182 or email A2taxisalderney@outlook.com
Bill's Taxis - 07911 730303 or email bjlep57@gmail.com

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