An Insider’s Guide to Remote Working in Alderney
Guest post by Joanna Woodnutt, Alderney Coworking Space
Not many people have heard of Alderney, but it’s a great location for remote workers and start-up businesses. At just 3.5 miles long and 2 miles wide, with white sand and sparkling blue seas, it’s hard to believe this island is part of Britain. It’s the middle Channel Island – not the biggest, not the smallest, not the one without cars or where the Barclay brothers own the island – it’s the least known, the most remote from the other islands, and the most untouched, despite being a key fortification point since the Roman times.
I grew up there, and I returned years later with my family. My husband and I both work remotely for UK companies, and we both have entrepreneurial streaks that we’ve been able to put to good use in such a welcoming environment. In this article, I’m going to give you an insider’s guide to remote working in Alderney. We’ll cover the very best places to work, where you can find like-minded people, and the all-important question of internet speeds.
How do I get there?
First off, whether we’re talking about a workcation or a relocation, getting there is the first hurdle. I say hurdle, it’s actually pretty simple. Daily flights from Southampton (about 40 mins) and Guernsey (about 15 mins) are most people’s choice, but if you fancy saving the planet, going slower, or don’t like flying then daily ferries from Guernsey run from March through September. In the summer months, you can also happen across ferries from France (Cherbourg or Dielette), and Jersey, as well as flights from Jersey and France.
Where can I stay?
That’s up to you, and how long you want to stay. The island has a good choice of hotels, from the cosy Georgian House through to the Michelin Key holder Blonde Hedgehog, both of whom can accommodate remote workers. Bed and breakfast accommodation is popular too. Or, if you’d like to have more privacy, there’s a whole host of self-catering accommodation. While I don’t usually hesitate to recommend the beach-side campsite, it’s not the easiest for remote working in Alderney – although a friend did set up an outdoor office down there last summer, complete with solar panels and a data roaming SIM.
Where can I work?
Over the five years I’ve been working remotely in the Channel Islands, I’ve tried just about everywhere. Everyone works differently, and the needs of your job may mean there are special requirements about privacy. Still, my top five places to remote work in Alderney (in no particular order – it depends how I feel on the day!) are…
The Moorings (summer only)
I don’t know if this is a favourite because it’s not available half the year, and therefore feels more like a treat, but the Moorings is a beach bar that only really gets busy after 4pm, meaning most of the time you can work with a good coffee and stunning views of the beach. Cooling off with a dip in the clear blue sea certainly gets the creative juices flowing!
Alderney Enterprise and Technology Hub
For a more formal environment, this Alderney coworking space is a good bet. With bookable desk spaces, a private soundproof pod for phone calls, a printer, and a bookable meeting room, Alderney’s new Hub offers plenty for the remote-working community. They also run evening classes, networking events and talks about business and technology, and visitors are welcome to join in!
The Georgian
The Georgian is the sister pub to the Moorings, open year-round, and with a totally different vibe. I like working from here in the mornings, when the little cobbled street outside is buzzing with shoppers and, when it’s cold, the fire is on. They also do fab food, so I often grab a bite to eat there. If you have a private call to take and the pub is too noisy, the Walpole Room upstairs is often unused after breakfast - they’ll often let you pop in there, but do check first as the local knitting club do use it!
Cantina
Cantina serves tapas and south American-inspired food all day, but I really like working there in the mornings, sometimes with a breakfast. It’s often quiet, the coffee is always good, and the menu always contains come combination of smoked salmon and avocado that’s a perfect treat for a hardworking remote worker.
The Braye Beach Hotel
If you like sitting outside to work, the Braye Beach Hotel has a very nice terrace overlooking the beach and blue sea, and taking a dip in the sea that takes less time than a toilet break has a certain charm! The Braye Beach Hotel also has a meeting room, if you need to meet people while you’re over here.
After work
For a small island, there’s a lot happening. And from craft markets to talks, knitting clubs to music recitals, there’s plenty to do in your downtime. Alderney is superb for nature lovers – why not book a seabird tour, go rockpooling in the Ramsar site, or volunteer with the Alderney Wildlife Trust? If you’re more into walks, views, and swimming, you can see most of the island on foot in a week, swim in secret inlets and white-sand bays, and explore the clifftops. For the history lovers, Alderney is a hidden gem – a strategic military location since Roman times, much of the island was heavily fortified by the Victorians and then by the Germans during the World War II occupation.
For me? A trip out on my kayak to catch some mackerel – I’ve even been known to take work calls with a shirt over my wetsuit so I’m ready to run!
The nuts and bolts
Of course, any workcation or relocation for remote workers from the UK or otherwise depends on some key things. Here’s what you need to know if you are a British or Irish citizen considering relocating to Alderney:
Internet service: High speed broadband (>60 Mbps) is available across much of the island, and many places have Starlink now too if >100Mbps is needed.
Visas and passports: Alderney and Guernsey align with the UK. For UK or Irish nationals, you don’t need a passport to visit, live or work. For everyone else, a passport is necessary for a short visit, and a Visa may be required for longer. While people working physical jobs on the island require basic Work Permits, the paperwork isn’t necessary for remote workers bringing their job with them.
Housing: If Alderney captures your heart, there are no restrictions on house purchases as there are in the other Channel Islands, and property prices are more affordable than many parts of the UK. The local estate agents are Bell and Co and Hawkesfords, and there’s plenty of choice!
Currency: Alderney uses the pound. Both the local Guernsey pound or the Great British version have the same value and are both accepted across the island.
Conclusion – Alderney a remote worker’s paradise
Whether you consider yourself a digital nomad or just have a week of remote working allowed in your usually-office-based job, the Channel Island of Alderney might be what you’re looking for. Remote working in Alderney is simple, accessible, and affordable, and the new Hub is already bringing more remote workers together for coworking. Booking at the hub is simple – just go to openalderney.com and book a desk or meeting room through the online system, or contact the team at info@openaalderney.com!