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Sark Attractions

Beaches

Sark has several fine beaches to choose and although they can be quite a treck down steps of cliff paths, they are well worth the trip. See the separate page covering beaches.

Boutique Caves

Legend has it that these caves at the north of the island were used by smugglers and are well worth exploring. The first tunnel is over 200 feet long and leads into a tall middle chamber with sea views.

Creux Harbour

The picturesque old harbour is now used mainly by fishermen and yachtsmen, or by ferries which cannot enter Maseline Harbour due to adverse conditions. There is also a  small enclosed beach reached via a tunnel in the rock.

The famous Sark Water Carnival is held at Creux in mid summer

Eperquerie Landing

This was where the first settlors landed on Sark and is a site of special beauty.  It also used to be the parade ground for the Sark militia.

Gouilot Caves

These caves are also worth a visit. Situated at Le Gouilot headland near Brequou, the inner cave which is only accessible at low spring tides, is verd with coloured sea anenomes.

Hog's Back

This headland separates the popular bays of Derrrible and Dixcart and with its spectacular views, is a favourite amongst picnic makers. You will also find there an ancient canon.

La Coupee, Little Sark

La Coupee is the narrow walk way which joins Sark to Little Sark. Railing were added in 1909 and the concrete path you now see was built after World War two by German prisoners of war, supervised by the Royal Engineers.

On the left hand side is a sheer drop down to Convanche Bay and to the right the beautiful bay of La Grand Greve, accessible via steps.

La Seugnerie

The home of successive Seigneurs since 1730, the gardens are beautifully maintained and are open most days in the summer months, although the house itself is not open. It was built on the site of the 6th century monastery St Magloire.

Le Beq du Nez

A rock to the north of Sark also known as the Oystercatcher, was where the Seigneur in 1839, drowned whilst out in poor weather with the Vicar of Sark, who incidentally survived but was badly shaken by the loss of his friend.

Le Manoir

This fine old house was built by the first Seigneur of Sark, Jerseyman Helier de Carteret and remained the ancestral home until La Seigneurie was built in 1730.

The first Sark court of law was held here in 1581. The official crest of the de Carterets is still visible in the granite stone work.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1912 and is run by Trinity House.

It sits over 200 feet above the high water level and since its construction has reduced significantly the risks to shipping.

Its is worth a visit to see the marvellous views across Maseline Harbour but you will need to go down 165 steps to reach it.

La Grand Greve

Sark's most popular bay, particularly with families who enjoy the golden sand at low tide and caves and rock pools for children to explore. It is accessed using steps from La Coupee.

Le Pot

This natural hole in the ground in Little Sark is named le Pot because of its distinctive shape. 

It was in this area that Silver was discovered in the 1800s but the mine ran in to severe financial difficulties after it was flooded. The Seigneur at that time  lost everything and ended up selling his title. The chimneys and mine workings can still be seen.

Little Sark

Well worth a visit for anyone not scared of heights and willing to cross La Coupee. Various interesting attractions such as Venus Pool. Port Gorey and the extinct silver mine are already mentioned. There is also a small village of abandoned workers cottages and as a sign of past traditions, one can see witches seats on some chimneys. It was thought that the presence of a witch would see off any evil spirits.

Maseline Harbour

Maseline is Sark's deep water harbour and used by the ferries from the other islands. Work started on it in 1938 and was interrupted by the German Occupation years. However it was finally opened in 1949.

On disembarking, visitors walk through a tunnel cut through the rock to a waiting tractor drawn bus, known affectionately by the locals as the "toast rack". This takes those who are not keen to walk the hill which rises 300 foot above sea level to The Avenue.

Methodist Chapel

Although the original Ebenezer chapel dated back to 1796, the present day chapel at Rue du Sermon was built in 1924.

Port Gorey

It was from here that Silver ore was loaded on to ships back in 1835 when the silver mine employed up to 80 Sarkese and Cornish workers.

There is a small stone pier which is popular with swimmers.

Sark Prison

Probably the World's smallest prison with only two sells, it is still in use for overnight stays. However, any longer sentences imposed by the Seneschal court are served in the relative luxury of Guernsey's Les Nicolles prison.

St Peter's Church

The island's only Anglican church St Peters, is relatively young having been built in 1820 at a cost of just £1,000. Situated off the Avenue, its  square tower is particularly noticeable and contains bells cast from cannon from the disbanded Sark Militia.

Inside are quaint pew cushions bearing the coats of arms of old Sark families. When its construction was financed, it was a condition that half of the pews remained free for ordinary folk.

A church fair is held on the first Saturday in August in the vicarage gardens.

The Avenue

Sark's  shopping village is conveniently located near the top of the hill from Maseline Harbour and has a good selection of shops for general provisions as well as souvenirs for tourists. Nearby are banks and a post office.

The Pilcher Monument

This was erected in near Havre Gosselin on the west coast, in memory of Mr J Pilcher and four others who were drowned in 1868 whilst attempting to travel to Guernsey.

The Windmill

This is quite a significant mill in that not only was it built by the first ever Seigneur of Sark in 1571, but it is the second oldest surviving in the British Isles. Unfortunately a gale damaged its sails in 1917 and it was not used again after 1920.

Venus Pool

This circular pool which retains 20 feet of water at low and is very popular with swimmers and sun worshippers. It gets fully covered at high tide.

For the history of Sark, click here

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