What is "longis"

Longis is a settlement in the south-east of Alderney in the Channel Islands, with a beach, island fort, nature reserve, and remains of German, Roman and prehistoric occupation.

Longis nature reserve is the largest nature reserve on the island, with an area of 103 hectares.

Longis Bay Beach is a popular tourist spot. It has an anti-tank wall from the Second World War. This massive, concrete structure curves right around the bay above the high-water mark and was built by the Germans during the Occupation of the early 1940s. There is provision for an anti-tank gun in the middle of its length (long since removed).

For many years it was believed that Alderney's main harbour was located within Longis Bay (as opposed to Braye). A line of boulders was said to point to evidence of a Roman breakwater.

Raz Island, on the Eastern arm of the bay, is connected to the rest of Alderney by a causeway, concreted over by the Germans during the Second World War. It is almost entirely covered by a fort which in recent decades has been used as a house, tea rooms, and as a base for an oyster farm.

Longis has a standing Roman dwelling of significant archaeological importance. Until relatively recently its origin and purpose remained a mystery, the local population referring to it as the "Nunnery". It has recently been partly excavated. It is pre-dated by find evidence of megalithic or early stone age occupation sites within the Longis Common area.

On the high ground overlooking the western side of the bay stands Essex Castle and the Hanging Rock. A legend says that the reason Hanging Rock overhangs is that the French wanted Alderney so much they tried to tow the island to France by attaching ropes to it, but only succeeded in pulling this large rock out of the ground.

Category:Alderney