The historic Telegraph Tower, a remarkable survivor from the Napoleonic era, will officially open to the public as a visitor attraction on Wednesday 23rd July.
The opening will be marked by a ceremony led by the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, Sir Richard Cripwell CB, CBE.
Built in 1809, the Telegraph Tower was part of a short-lived but crucial communication network used to report on the movement of French shipping around the Channel Islands. Designed to relay signals between Alderney and Sark, it remains the only building of its kind in the Islands, offering a unique glimpse into the island’s strategic importance and early optical telegraphy.
Now carefully restored and repurposed, Telegraph Tower will serve as a new heritage site celebrating Alderney’s military and maritime past, with engaging displays on early signalling technology, the history of the tower, and its role in the island’s defences.
Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the opening ceremony and explore this fascinating piece of Alderney’s history from 10.45am.
“This is a proud moment for Alderney,” said Caroline Gauvain of Visit Alderney. “Telegraph Tower is not only a rare and historic structure — predating the Victorian forts and Breakwater — but it also tells a powerful story of communication, defence, and island resilience.”
Picture credit: VisitAlderney.com/JaySee
