Fort Clonque

Alderney, Channel Islands

Overview

Fort Clonque is the most remarkable of the great mid-Victorian harbour works off Alderney, built to protect the Channel Islands from capture by the French. Perched on a group of large rocks surrounded by the waves, you reach the Fort by a spectacular causeway leading to a drawbridge.

  • CotCot
  • Fire or StoveFire or Stove
  • Open SpaceOpen Space
  • Logs availableLogs available
  • Parking AvailableParking Available
  • BathBath
  • DishwasherDishwasher
  • MicrowaveMicrowave
  • RemoteRemote
  • ShowerShower
  • Washing MachineWashing Machine

Beds 3 Double 2 Twin 1 Triple room

Sleeps
13
4 nights
£3000 equivalent to £57.69 per person, per night

An important base in the early days of steam ships

The advent of steam ships in the 1840s made the Channel Islands more strategically important for refuelling and therefore equally desirable to the French as the British. Fort Clonque is the most remarkable of Alderney’s great harbour defences, begun in 1847 and designed for ten 64-pounder guns in four open batteries, manned by two officers and 50 men. However, the rapid increase in range of steam ships made Clonque redundant in purpose almost as soon as it was completed and it was left disarmed but intact. The Germans, briefly, again sought to exploit the Fort’s strategic possibilities in the 1940s.

Marine views second to none

At high tide the Fort is cut off from the rest of the island. The accommodation is spread across several different buildings. On calm days the sea can be heard all around the Fort, which sleeps up to 13 people. There are spectacular views of the other islands, rocks and stacks and two great colonies of gannets, which fish round the fort. Most forts are often large and grim but Clonque, ingeniously contrived on many levels, is small, open and picturesque, interspersed with stretches of grass and samphire. Any cold or damp, characteristic of such a fort, will be more than compensated for by the delight of its spectacular setting.  The rest of Alderney is also extremely pleasant, just small enough to be explored entirely on foot or very easily by bicycle. All the Victorian and German defence works are interesting, the beaches at the north end are exceptional and in the centre is St Anne, a very pretty little town, English with a hint of France.

Important safety information

There are two high tides a day, with the causeway remaining above the surrounding shore for most of this time. However, it may become covered by water for up to 60 minutes (and at times longer) either side of spring high tides. At other times including neap tides it may also become covered when a high tide is combined with either low barometric pressure or strong winds or both. Do not attempt to cross either on foot or in a vehicle during this time.

Guests with medical conditions please be aware, during high tide emergency services will struggle to access the Fort by wheeled vehicle.

Floor Plan

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Map & local info

Fort Clonque is perched on the south-west tip of Alderney, the most northerly of the Channel Islands. Alderney is only 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, so walking and cycling are perfect ways to explore the island and enjoy the scenic views.

For a relaxing trip to the eastern end of the island, where you can visit the lighthouse, hop onto the charming Alderney Railway, the unique Channel Islands' steam railway.

St Anne, referred to as St Anne's, is the only town on Alderney. Its quaint, cobbled main street, occupied exclusively by local shops, makes an interesting change from a more customary high street. Visit the beautiful church of St Anne, the 'Cathedral of the Channel Islands', and the Alderney Society Museum, both in the town centre.

The island caters for a diverse range of interests. It is a haven for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts, especially on the west coast. Fishing is permitted anywhere along the coastline and harbour and sailing is a popular activity too. 

Experience the challenges and spectacular vistas on the courses of Alderney Golf Club

The choice of beaches on Alderney provides the chance to relax on the sand, swim, surf and explore rockpools.

Enjoy the rich mix of festivals and events, including the notable Alderney Week, on offer throughout the year on the island to keep everyone entertained.

For more information on things to do during your stay at Fort Clonque, please see our Pinterest page. 

Please Note: The Landmark Trust does not take any responsibility and makes no warranties, representations or undertakings about the content of any website accessed by hypertext link. Links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind. The Landmark Trust has no control over the availability of the linked pages.

Clear directions

Air links

Aurigny operate flights from Southampton and Guernsey.

Scheduled sea links to Alderney from France:

Vedettes du Cotentin: carries (12 passengers) from and to Dielette (nr. Cherbourg). For bookings phone 0033 7 60 20 20 40

Victor Hugo: high-speed passenger ferry operated by Manche Iles Express. Scheduled sailings from Dielette (nr. Cherbourg), St. Peter Port (Guernsey) from April to September. For bookings www.manche-iles.com or by phone 0825 131 050.

Lady Maris II: (12 passengers) to and from Cherbourg every Wednesday and Saturday, and every Thursday to and from Guernsey, Sark and Herm. Bookings with www.alderneygiftbox.com

Essential info
What you need to know about this building
  • No.
  • Via a causeway from the main island. The fort can be cut off from the island at high tide.
  • There is a parking area just outside the fort entrance. Guests staying on the island can hire cars from local firm Braye Hire Cars Limited
  • There is a carbon-neutral biomass boiler central heating system apart from in the Upper Magazine and The Gatehouse which have electric panel heaters and also an open fire..
  • Logs and coal can be purchased from the Fort Manager.
  • To check up-to-date mobile network coverage in the area, visit signalchecker.co.uk. Due to the location and structure of many of our buildings, signal strength may differ to those indicated.
  • The German Casement has a double bed with the option of a twin.
  • The majority of properties do not offer WiFi but many now have mobile coverage. Facilities in some properties rely on WiFi to function and we are currently piloting guest use of WiFi at a few of our buildings. We are going to extend the pilot across more properties and review customer feedback in 2025.
  • The kitchen is fully equipped with all plates, cutlery, fridge etc.
    There is also an electric cooker, dishwasher and microwave.
  • There are three bathrooms, one with a large walk-in shower and two with baths.
  • Yes, the steps to the upper magazine are steep and narrow. 
  • There are three outside areas: a very private terrace, the original fort parade ground and battery number 1 overlooking the whole fort with amazing views over the sea and other Channel Islands.
  • Yes, the Officers' Quarters, Soldiers Quarters' and bedrooms are all separate buildings with no internal access between the buildings.
  • Yes, this property is difficult to heat in the winter.
  • We advise guests not to access the rooftops as there are unprotected precipitous walls.
Booking and Payment
  • If the weather is bad, please contact our booking office who will be able to tell you whether the Landmark is accessible. If the housekeeper can safely get to the building to prepare it then we consider that it is open and available for guests. However if we cannot undertake a changeover then we will do our utmost to transfer your stay to another Landmark, depending on what we have available. It may not be of a similar size or in the same part of the country as your original booking. If the building is accessible but the customer cannot travel due to poor weather in his/her local area then please be aware that Landmark will not provide a refund. However the customer may be able to claim on his/her own travel insurance. We recommend that all guests take out travel insurance when they first secure a booking.
  • We accept Maestro (if issued in the UK), Visa, MasterCard, direct transfer and sterling cheques drawn on a UK bank. Cheques should be made payable to the Landmark Trust except for Lundy stays and boat/helicopter tickets which should be payable to The Lundy Company Ltd. All payments must be in sterling.
  • The key arrangements will be included in the Further Infomation document which will be sent to you prior to your stay.
  • If your stay starts more than two months from the date you make the booking, you are required to pay a deposit of one third of the cost of your stay (or £100 per booking, if greater) at the time of booking. Camping on Lundy and The Bunk House at Llwyn Celyn must be paid for in full at the time of booking.
  • If you wish to cancel or change your booking, please contact our Booking Office on 01628 825925
  • At the moment we only accept payment in sterling.
  • Our housekeeper will leave the key in a suitable place, the details of which will be sent to you prior to your stay.
  • It depends. Some of our most popular Landmarks are booked up a long time in advance, but many can be booked at short notice. We will always have Landmarks free for the coming weekend so it’s always worth checking our availability list.
  • No, Landmarks are available to be booked for anyone.
  • No, all the information you need can be found on our website, although we’d like you to buy one anyway as it will be a pleasure to own!
Staying at a Landmark
  • Some of our Landmarks are suitable for people with disabilities or limited mobility. However, many Landmarks have steep or narrow staircases, uneven floors and thresholds, changes of level, low ceilings or beams, as well as indistinct colours on steps and in corridors. We recommend that you call Booking Enquiries on 01628 825925 if you would like to find out the suitability of a particular Landmark for anyone with a specific disability.  Further information on access when visiting Lundy can also be found here.
  • Yes, Landmarks are only available as self-catering accommodation. We do not offer bed and breakfast.
  • Landmark does not provide catering, but we can recommend Greycoat Lumleys who can arrange for expert and well-trained staff to cater for one evening or for your entire holiday. Their cooks and chefs are able to work with you to meet your specific requirements
  • You may bring up to two dogs to properties where dogs are allowed (please see specific property details for exemptions however dogs are not permitted on Lundy except assistance dogs). They must be kept off the furniture and under proper control. A charge of £20 per stay is made for each dog. Please contact booking enquiries if a registered assistance dog is supporting one of the guests, for which there is no charge.
  • Apart from two dogs (see above) no other pets are permitted.
  • Arrival is from 4pm and departure is by 10am.
  • We do not carry insurance for breakages. However we appreciate that accidents do sometimes happen. If you have a breakage during your stay, please let the housekeeper know and if appropriate we reserve the right to invoice you accordingly.
  • Yes, most of our Landmarks are perfect for children, with gardens to play in and secret places to discover. Our furniture is surprisingly robust and we positively encourage families to stay. However, some of our buildings may not be suitable for small children; for example, some of them have steep or uneven spiral staircases. We recommend that you call the Booking Enquiries team if you would like to find out the suitability of any of our Landmarks for young children.
  • Unfortunately, most of our Landmarks are not licensed for weddings. However, you may get married on Lundy.
  • All our larger Landmarks are perfect for gatherings of family or friends. You may invite an additional two guests to visit you during your stay, however they must not stay overnight. This is very important because our fire regulations specifically note the maximum number of people in any one building. In addition our properties are prepared, furnished and equipped for the number of people specified and greater numbers cause damage and excessive wear and tear to vulnerable buildings. Should this condition be ignored we shall make a retrospective charge per person per day (whether or not they stay overnight) for each guest over the permitted limit, the charge being pro-rated on the total cost of your booking.
  • We deliberately do not provide televisions and find that most people appreciate this.
  • One of the challenges of restoring unloved buildings is gaining access to them. We frequently have to negotiate rights with our neighbours and share tracks with them. In many cases tracks do not belong to us and we have no right to maintain them. Wherever possible we work with our neighbours to provide you with a good quality surface, but where this is a problem then you will be warned at the time of booking.
  • Yes, we have standard electricity sockets for UK appliances. If you are coming from outside the UK, you will need to bring your own adaptor plug(s). If you are visiting one of our European properties we have standard European electricity sockets. If you are visiting from the UK, you will need to bring your own adapter plug (s).
  • Landmark’s electrical systems have not been designed to provide continuous power from one socket over several hours.  If an ordinary socket is used to charge an electric vehicle, there is significant risk of an electrical fire and consequent danger to life.  Therefore, we are unable to allow electric vehicle charging from most of our Landmarks at present.

    We are working to provide Type 2 Electric Vehicle charge points at our properties where there is private parking.  Where this is available, please request this facility when booking the property to ensure the outlet is enabled on your arrival.  There is a small charge to cover the cost of electricity provided.  Please book this facility in advance.
  • No, we do not allow smoking in any Landmark.
Facilities
  • A welcome tray with tea and sugar awaits your arrival and you will find a pint of milk in the fridge. We provide a hairdryer, a roll of toilet paper and a bar of Landmark soap per bathroom, but no other toiletries. Hairdryers are provided.
  • The majority of properties do not offer WiFi but many now have mobile coverage. Facilities in some properties rely on WiFi to function and we are currently piloting guest use of WiFi at a few of our buildings. We are going to extend the pilot across more properties and review customer feedback in 2025.
  • Mobile coverage varies. Some Landmarks have an excellent signal, but others have none at all. You can find those with 4G and 5G signal on our Landmarks with mobile signal page and each building has a link to signal checker in the Essential Information so you can check individual service providers' coverage in the area.
  • Logs are provided at many of our Landmarks for an additional cost.
  • Yes, our kitchens are well equipped with cookers and fridges. There are freezers and dishwashers (in larger buildings) and, where space allows, microwaves as well as a wide and standard range of utensils. A full equipment list is available at time of booking.
  • Sometimes our kitchens and bathrooms have to be imaginatively fitted into the available space in buildings where before there were none, but they are all planned and equipped to a high and modern standard.
  • Yes, Landmarks are fully equipped with sheets and towels. All the beds are fully made up for your arrival. Except for the Llwyn Celyn Bunkhouse.
  • We do not provide Christmas trees or decorations. However, you are welcome to bring your own. We kindly ask that you remove them at the end of your stay.
History

Response to a perceived threat

Fort Clonque was built between the years 1853 and 1855, at the height of the war scare that followed the rise of French naval power, and the accompanying enlargement and fortification of the French port of Cherbourg – relatively speaking, a stone’s throw from the Channel Islands. Part of the British Government’s response to this perceived threat was the construction on Alderney of the great harbour works and the circle of coastal forts around the island.

The design of all these works was placed in the hands of a rising young star of the Royal Engineers, Captain William Jervois. A man of great physical energy and considerable resourcefulness (he went on to a distinguished career as Governor-General successively of the Straits Settlements, South Australia and New Zealand), he was able to work on a massive scale, using vast quantities of the local granite, and at the same time devoted great attention to detail. Fort Clonque, when complete, housed 55 men with two officers, in charge of a battery of ten guns.

Within a few years of its completion, however, the island fortifications were made collectively obsolete by the coming of the steam-powered ‘ironclads’. The superior speed and range of these warships meant that they could in an emergency reach the ports on the south coast of England, and no longer needed the shelter and defence offered by Alderney. Only a little more than twenty years after their completion the army lost all interest in the island. The harbour was never finished, and the forts were disarmed. By the turn of the century Fort Clonque had become a private residence, and began quietly to deteriorate.

For most of World War II, the German forces occupied Alderney, and naturally took over the forts. Fort Clonque was equipped with machine-gun posts and a massive bunker, though it does not seem to have been engaged in military activity. At the end of the war the buildings were left derelict and ruinous, and their owners (Mr. and Mrs. Duplain) laboured over the herculean task of repairing them. But the task was more than they could cope with. In 1966 the Landmark Trust purchased the fort, and the years of restoration began.

For a short history of Fort Clonque please click here.

To read the full history album for Fort Clonque please click here.

Restoration

Great Victorian coastal defences

Although the Channel forts had formed the backbone of our great Victorian coastal defences, most of them were at that time abandoned and falling into ruin. It was a far-sighted action on the part of John Smith, the Trust’s founder, to take on one of them and set about its repair. The Trust’s first tasks after taking over the fort were to survey the buildings down to the last stone, and then to number and mark every piece of stonework that needed to be moved back to its original position.

The bunker was full of rubbish, only one original window had survived in ‘Officers’, roofs were sagging, and cast iron girders were rusting away. The old bricks had been made in the local brickworks from island clay and were of poor quality. All the stone and wood used in the repairs was salvaged: the oak floorboards in the living room of ‘Soldiers’ came from Fort Tourgis, for example, while the ‘Officers’ fireplaces came from Fort Albert. New doors were made, with handles produced specially by a Guernsey blacksmith.

The main task that faced the Trust, and its architect Philip Jebb, was the undoing of the extensive damage done to the fort by the Germans, in their indiscriminate use of concrete, asphalt and barbed wire. In addition to this, the aim was to reinstate the exterior of the fort to its original Victorian appearance – except for the bunker, which was anyway pretty well indestructible, and which now serves as a bedroom. The light and pleasant rooms inside the two barrack buildings were also to be restored, but modernised as necessary.

The difficulties of managing such a project, on what is virtually an island off an island, were formidable. All materials and equipment had to be specially transported to the fort by sea. Moreover, what could be done on any given day depended entirely on the weather, and especially on the wind which in Alderney can rise in an hour or two to a force to which it is impossible to stand up. Even the provision of basic services presented quite a problem. For many years water came from a spring on the shore, to be stored in a large tank. And only in 1990 was the fort connected to the island’s electricity supply, candles and gas having previously supplied all light and heat.

Some of the work had to be done by a regular contractor, but much else could be done – and would best be done – in a more gradual way. For instance, it was essential that all concrete be removed without causing damage to the blocks of granite that had been set carelessly in it, so that they could be reused. By the greatest good fortune, just at the point in 1967 when Landmark was considering how to achieve this, Arthur Markell retired from his post as supervisor of the Admiralty Breakwater.

Arthur Markell – ‘a man who really knows what life means, and who shows it in the work he is doing’ – had exactly the experience and skills the Trust needed, and he was employed at once. In 1984, after having worked for the Trust for some sixteen years or more, he was described as ‘an incredible good 79 years .. and having been a civil engineer can turn his hand to most things... his woodwork is of cabinet-maker standard.’ (He was nothing if not versatile: he also taught piano and had played in good hotels in London as part of dinnertime entertainment, as well as in the local cinema.) He was also said ‘always to have a smile on his face’ and to be ‘a perfectionist in everything that he did – the material for every job was carefully chosen and nothing but the right material would do, and the position of every screw and nail was precisely measured before insertion’, ‘you couldn’t imagine a better man for the job’. Throughout the restoration of the Fort he kept a diary in which he recorded every day the weather, the comings and goings of visitors and the maintenance and restoration tasks he had carried out on the Fort that day. With the help of an assistant, Mr. Markell was largely responsible for all the long and arduous work of clearing up the fort, rebuilding parapets and repointing walls, renewing windows and doors, fitting new bathrooms and kitchens, and painting walls. A team of builders, a maximum of five at any one time, was brought in only when it was necessary: to clear the unwanted concrete with pneumatic hammers, to renew the drawbridge, the ramp and the roofs of the barrack buildings (for which the original formula of lime cement poured over brick vaults to form a flat surface was reproduced) or to repair some of the vertiginous outer walls. Unfortunately, after Mr. Markell had carried out substantial repairs to the walls of Battery no. 3, the natural bridge that connected it to the rest of the rock collapsed during a storm in 1967, and that battery is no longer accessible. The collapse came as a shock to Mr. Duplain and caused him considerable anxiety, as he was afraid that the Trust might have suspected him of knowing the weakness of the arch, and concealing his knowledge.

Working with Victorian buildings of any sort teaches two main lessons: first, not to be afraid, indeed to be sure, of using a large scale, because they loved to – and in military buildings more than most; and, secondly, to be thorough about detail, because theirs was perhaps the supreme age of detailing, and a repair will look right only if done correspondingly well. This has been true at each of the buildings of this type that Landmark has restored – Crownhill Fort at Plymouth, the West Blockhouse at Dale in Dyfed, and especially here, at Fort Clonque.

Availability & booking

Select a changeover day to start your booking...

What's a changeover day? and Why can't I select other dates?Explain MoreQuestion

A changeover day is a particular day of the week when holidays start and end at our properties. These tend to be on a Friday or a Monday but can sometimes vary. All stays run from one changeover day until another changeover day.