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Stone Cottage is a self-catering holiday cottage (sleeping 4) on Alderney, the unspoilt treasure of the Channel Islands.
Although Alderney only measures 1 1/2 x 3 miles, it is teeming with history, character, and natural beauty. The little town of St Anne’s is at its heart. Perhaps because Alderney is the closest of the Channel Islands to France, St Anne’s has a distinctly continental feel, with cobbled streets, colour-washed cottages, and a rich variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Stone Cottage is tucked quietly away in the town’s oldest quarter, a few minutes from the main street in one direction, and from the spectacular southern cliffs in the other.
There is so much to see and do in Alderney. It is home to an astonishing variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, fulmars, and 7000 pairs of gannets in a colony easily visible just offshore (2% of the world’s population). There are seals, unique blonde hedgehogs and wild black rabbits, rare land-birds, moths and butterflies, and breathtaking flowers. A breakwater half a mile long shelters the working harbour: a welcome haven for yachtsmen who have navigated the Alderney Race, one of the British Isles’ most famous waters. The coastline is guarded by a series of imposing Victorian Forts; you can also explore relics of the Second World War occupation by the Germans. There are beaches for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers (and some of the best sandcastle sand in the business!). You can fish here, sail, cycle, and walk to your heart’s content. There’s a challenging 9-hole golf-course, a museum, library, even a tiny cinema, and special events throughout the year celebrating Alderney’s unique heritage, wildlife, food and drink – and sense of fun!
Stone Cottage is a traditional granite house on a cobbled street in St Anne’s, built in about 1800. It has recently been refurbished throughout and is rented as a holiday cottage: the interior is bright and cheerful, and the south-facing patio and garden ideal for eating out or sunbathing. Downstairs, there’s a sitting room, a dining room, a modern kitchen (with freezer, washing machine, gas cooker and microwave), and a shower-room and WC. One of the bedrooms upstairs has a double bed, and a glass-panelled door opening on to the patio, and the garden beyond. The sun floods in. The other bedroom has twin beds, and the bathroom has been completely refitted.
Bed linen and towels are provided, but we ask you to bring your own beach towels. There’s an airer in the kitchen, where you can easily dry them overnight.
Stone Cottage is a welcoming place to stay whatever the season; if it’s not quite the weather for exploring outdoors, there are plenty of books to choose from (including a collection about Alderney’s history and wildlife). We also have a library of videos and DVDs for you to enjoy, and a selection of games to play.
Alderney self catering holiday cottages