FLY OVER
Airport at risk on tiny British isle that’s so safe ‘kids still roam free’ like the 1970s
Plus, the other Channel Island that makes for an incredible family holiday
A CHARMING British Isle with direct flights from the UK mainland is at risk of a temporary closure to its airport.
Work to extend the Guernsey airport was due to start in spring 2024, but the plans have been put on pause.
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Initial plans to improve Alderney's only airport were approved back in 2022.
But with delays and climbing costs, the airstrip project has been paused.
The plans were for the airport to have a £24million renovation to improve services and have more flights to and from the island.
The makeover would extend the runway so it could welcome larger planes as well as modernise the 1960s terminal building.
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The budget has been exceeded so much that the project has been paused, with work being pushed back possibly to as late as 2028.
As a result, the runway could soon not meet safety expectations and faces long-term closure.
Alderney deputies Alex Snowdon and Edward Hill told Guernsey Press: "We cannot stress enough that any long-term closure of Alderney Airport would rapidly lead to a serious tailspin of both Alderney’s social and economic well-being."
Currently, there are around seven flights to Alderney a day with Aurigny Air Services.
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Services to the island fly directly from the neighbouring island of Guernsey and the UK city of Southampton.
One-way tickets from Southampton to Alderney start from £109.
Explore The Channel Islands
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Alderney is the northernmost island in the Channel Islands and part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
The island is only three miles long and one and a half miles wide but has over two thousand local residents.
Saint Anne is the main town with Victoria Street being the main hub for shops and restaurants.
One of the most popular beaches on the island is Braye Bay, which is just a few minutes from the town.
It has white sands and is a popular spot for families with children able to paddle safely.
In fact, Alderney is considered so safe that it's one of the rare places that children can still enjoy freedoms like they did in the mid 20th century.
The Alderney tourism board says of the island: "With no crowds, no queues and no traffic jams our small island is often described as the ‘hidden gem of the Channel Islands’ and offers a warm, peaceful and relaxing escape for you to enjoy.
"There is no other place in the world like Alderney. It’s a friendly island with an easy pace of life, where children can still roam free.
"Our life here is slow, relaxed and peaceful. It’s like stepping back in time 50 years"
Other beaches perfect for exploring are Arch Bay, Corblets Bay, and Longis Bay, which are great for beachcombing where you might find jellyfish and shark eggs.
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Braye Bay and Longis Bay are the most ideal for rockpooling.
It's a great place for nature spotting; they even have their own species of hedgehog, the Alderney Blonde Hedgehog.
On the island are also puffins and gannets, as well as rare butterflies.
For any historians, the island has lots to explore from a Roman fort to World War II bunkers and Iron Age pottery.
With the island so close to Guernsey, it's easy to pop over and spend a day on Alderney.
You can take the ferry which runs up to three times a day costing £54 one way for adults, £43 for children up to 14, and is free for those under two.
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The Island Of Guernsey Is Must-Visit Destination For Families
One of our writers took a trip over to Guernsey...
I had always had this idea that holidays to Guernsey were strictly for the blue-rinse brigade. And while this beautiful island is popular with slightly older tourists, I must tell you now, they are definitely on to something.
With its turquoise waters, golden sands and incredible scenery, Guernsey ticks all the boxes for an excellent family getaway.
I travelled in April with my husband Nick and three children, Jacob, eight, Olive, six, and Ivy, two. You can avoid the airport hassle and reach it by ferry from Poole, Dorset, in less than three hours.
On arrival at St Peter Port, you’ll be greeted by turquoise water and a picturesque harbour that feels more like the Mediterranean than the UK.
The second largest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey covers just 30 square miles — you could drive around it in only 45 minutes. It is a haven of quaint villages, rugged coastline and beautiful, picture-perfect beaches.
At the northeasternmost tip is Pembroke Beach, with immaculate white sands that go on for ever and mild winds that make it a popular spot among windsurfers and sailors.
This stretch is also home to the excellent Beach House cafe, which looks rather plain from the outside but serves amazing dishes — including the best seafood chowder on the island — that you can enjoy while taking in the views of the bay.
Cobo Beach is another top coastal spot for families, brilliant for paddling and exploring rock pools. There are, in fact, endless coves and crabbing opportunities around the island. - Lynsey Hope
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