Alderney, Dorset

La reserva natural de Bourne Valley es un Lugar de Interés Científico Especial (SSSI, por sus siglas en inglés). Situada al norte de Alderney, la zona incluye el brezal de tierras bajas protegido de Bourne Bottom. El lugar tiene aproximadamente 80 hectáreas (200 acres) y se compone principalmente de brezales pantanosos y árboles. Bourne Valley es el origen de uno de los afluentes que forman el arroyo Bourne, que finalmente desemboca en Bournemouth. Tres alcantarillas que emergen de debajo de Ringwood Road dan origen al arroyo y, según el organismo local de lucha contra la contaminación, Bourne Stream Partnership, se cree que provienen de Canford Heath, la planta potabilizadora de Sembcorp y la escorrentía de la carretera. ^{[ 3 ]}

Al sur de Evering Avenue se encuentra Bourne Valley Park, antes conocido como Alderney Recreation Ground. La zona fue desarrollada entre 2003 y 2007 por la asociación Bourne Stream después de que se convirtiera en un problema: campos de fútbol demasiado pantanosos para ser utilizados, comportamiento incívico de motociclistas, contaminación de negocios cercanos y basura. El espacio abierto de 6,1 hectáreas (15 acres) consta de áreas boscosas, brezales, arroyos, un estanque, extensas praderas, un gran parque de aventuras y un parque para bicicletas todoterreno. ^{[ 4 ]}

Alderney Hospital was built in 1888 for the care of the elderly; it now specialises in dementia and mental health with both in and out patients.

Alderney Cottage, later Alderney Manor, was sited on the Poole to Ringwood road between Knighton Bottom and Howe Corner from the early 19th century. A housing estate now occupies the site. The politician, writer and sportsman Grantley Berkeley was the tenant there from around 1860 until 1880, just before his death.^[9] The artist Augustus John established an artists' colony there in 1911. Faye Hammill relates how he lived there with "his five legitimate children, his mistress Dorelia McNeill, and his two children by her; and they remained there until 1927, in the company of numerous long-term guests".^[10] One frequent visitor was fellow artist Henry Lamb. Aspects of John's life during this period were used as background by Margaret Kennedy in her novel The Constant Nymph (1924).^[11]

Alderney Manor Community Centre is a social venue which holds classes and events and can be hired out by organisations and members of the public. The venue is used as a polling station for local and general elections.

• St Aldhelm's Academy (formerly Rossmore Community College and Martin Kemp-Welch School)
• Manorside Primary School
• Winchelsea Special School