Aerial View of Sark

Sark consists of two main parts, Greater Sark to the north, and Little Sark to the south. They are connected by a narrow strip of land called La Coupée with a daunting100 metre drop – and thankfully, protective railings. The railings were only erected in 1900; and before then, it’s said that children would crawl across between the two on their hands and knees to avoid being blown over the edge.


Traditional Sark Farmhouse

Sark History

The Channel Islands have belonged to the Crown since the time of William the Conqueror when they formed part of the Duchy of Normandy. In 1565, Queen Elizabeth I granted ownership of the island to Helier de Carteret as a 'fief haubert.' The island was occupied by German forces from 1940–1945, along with the rest of the Channel Islands.

Sark was the last feudal state in Europe but bowed to pressure from the European Court of Human Rights and held its first ever democratic elections in December 2008, when 28 Conseillers were elected to the Island's Parliament, or Chief Pleas. Sark’s Chief Pleas meets at least four times per year, governs the island and passes new laws, which can be vetoed by the Guernsey Royal Court under certain circumstances.

In August 1990 an unemployed French nuclear physicist named André Gardes tried to invade the island single-handedly, armed with a semi-automatic weapon. The night he arrived he made his intentions clear by putting signs around the island telling everybody that he was going to be taking over the island the following day at noon. The attempt was an unmitigated disaster for Gardes, as he was arrested by Sark’s volunteer police constable who found him sitting on a bench, waiting for noon...


Sark Coupee

Getting to Sark

If you’re travelling to Sark, you’ll need to go via Guernsey or Jersey. You can get a direct flight to either of the two larger islands from most of the main UK airports; and regular ferry services also operate from the UK to Guernsey and Jersey. To get to Sark from Guernsey, take a 40-minute ferry ride from St Peter Port, or from Jersey take the Manche Îles Express (only available from April to September). The boat trip from Guernsey to Sark also gives you the chance to see the tiny Channel Islands of Herm and Brecqhou.

The island is a car-free zone so the only travelling you’ll be doing once you get there is on foot – or in a horse-drawn vehicle, on a bicycle, or on one of the islands tractors. Battery-powered buggies and motorised bicycles are allowed for elderly and disabled visitors.

Passengers and goods that arrive in Sark from Guernsey are transported from the wharf by tractor-pulled vehicles, and all baggage is carried on and off the ferries by trained ‘carters’ who try to make sure that your luggage gets to its destination before you do. Anyone visiting the island is well advised to make sure that everything they take over is well labelled so that it ends up in the right place!

A tractor drawn trailer takes all arriving visitors from the quay to the village, up Harbour Hill, but once the trailer has dropped you off, depending on where you’re staying you might need extra transport. It’s advisable to look into pre-booking a bike or even a horse and carriage before you leave, especially in the tourist season.

Food and drink

Sark is well served for culinary aficionados, with a selection of quaint farmhouse cafés, pubs serving traditional fayre, and fine-dining establishments. If you like seafood, one recommendation is the Lobster Restaurant at the Aval du Creux Hotel or the Dixcart Hotel restaurant.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, check out Caragh Chocolates just before La Coupée and Grande Grêve Bay, 25 minutes walk from the village. The shop sells handmade chocolates made with fresh local Sark cream.

Where to go in Sark

Sark is a small island but crams a lot of scenery and history into its small area. La Seigneurie is open every day from early April to the first week in November, and has been the home of the Seigneurs of Sark since 1730. La Seigneurie was built on the site of a sixth century monastery, and has been extended over the years. There’s a large Victorian watch-tower which was erected so that signalling could take place between Sark and Guernsey.
The formal, award-winning gardens include a maze and some stunning flora – and are one of the biggest attractions on the island. The house itself is not open to the public.

La Grande Grêve is a beautiful sandy bay that you can only get to by descending steep steps down from the north end of La Coupée. When the tide is low, it’s a perfect spot for a picnic, with golden sands, safe clear water and plenty of rock pools and caves to explore.

Sark's 'Window in the Rock' is a man-made hole that was created in the side of the headland at Port du Moulin. It’s worth a visit just for the amazing views of another area of natural beauty, Les Autelets - narrow stacks of rock which lie just off Sark's north-west coast.


Creux Harbour

The old Creux Harbour, which is said to be one of the smallest harbours in the world, isn’t used much, but does come into its own if weather conditions cause problems with ferries at the island’s main harbour at Maseline. The harbour is gorgeous, enclosing a small beach and accessible through by two tunnels cut through the cliffs. It’s mostly used by local fishermen and the occasional visiting yachtsmen.

The Occupation and Heritage Museum is right in the centre of Sark, and just two minutes from the village. You can find out a bit more about the island’s history, and the story of the wartime occupation.

If you’re feeling active, there are also organised diving and fishing excursions, or just hire a bike and zoom around the island taking in the scenery!

Events

Sark holds some events during the year, and it would be remiss not to mention the best known - Sark Sheep Racing, which takes place in July.
The traditional Sheep Races are scheduled to take place over the course of a weekend and involve both sheep and the coronation of Miss Sark Princess (or Miss Sark Bo-Peep.).

Other events are laid on for visitors and residents over the Sheep Racing weekend - Royal Casino Nights, family entertainment and a Sark Ascot Sunday with a traditional Carnival, decorated carriages, pony rides and more. The events raise money for Sark's medical fund.

Basics

Sark is lucky enough to have a reasonably temperate climate, which means that the summers are warmer and sunnier than the UK, and the winters are milder. For details of weather conditions go to www.worldweather.org
For current visa requirements please go to www.projectvisa.com

Sark isn’t part of the UK NHS system so if you’re staying there, it’s vital to make sure that you have health insurance. There isn’t a hospital on the island either so make sure your insurance is comprehensive enough to cover any unlikely but expensive eventualities. There is a doctor's practice, and a special sea ambulance is available from the Guernsey in emergencies.

The island does have shops stocking the everyday essentials, and there’s a regular postal service.

The currency in Sark is sterling, and there are several banks on the island. Sark doesn’t have income tax, so it’s naturally become a bit of a tax haven. For the latest exchange rates visit www.xe.com .

It’s possible to get hold of a surprisingly wide selection of duty free goodies, as well as some trinkets and gifts from the usual souvenir shops. Most of the shops are to be found along Sark’s main street, The Avenue.

If you’re on the hunt for souvenirs, look out for ‘Sarkstone’ jewellery made from amethystine quartz, although despite its name, it’s actually imported from China or Zambia.