Alderney

Rugged, rocky and wild, Alderney’s coastline is dotted with strategic fortifications - some from Napoleonic and Victorian times, other built by Hitler’s occupying army. As well as tourists, the island attracts 5,000 pairs of nesting gannets each year - that’s four gannets for every person.

Unspoilt it may be, but in the main town of St Anne, there’s a fast-growing cyber community with broadband connections. Based here is the registry of domain names for Guernsey (.gg) and Jersey (.je).

40% of the population is indigenous; 60% are settlers, most of whom fell for Alderney after holidaying here. There is virtually no crime; and the beaches are uncrowded, even during August’s busy Alderney Week festival.