Welcome to the Sark Home Page
....a world apart     

 

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Sark Road

Sark Carriage

Devil's Hole

The Avenue

Sark Horse & Carriage

La Coupee

Sark Cliffs

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The beautiful island of Sark (or Ile de Sercq) lies 14 1/2 kilometres to the south east of Guernsey and is part of the Bailiwick. It is reached by modern ferry which takes around 45 minutes from Guernsey (9 miles harbour to harbour). It is a splendid example of un-spoilt countryside with 350 feet high cliffs, dramatic valleys and woodlands, green fields and sandy beaches. Cars are not permitted and the tranquility is spoilt only by the occasional farm tractor which also double up as delivery vehicles and are used to pull the "bus" carrying day-trippers up the long hill from the harbour. The Daily Telegraph described Sark in March 2000 as one of the twenty most tranquil and most "desirable great escapes on the planet."

The island is 3 miles long by 1 1/2 miles wide (5 kilometres 2 1/2 kilometres) and has around 580 residents. Landing on Sark by boat on a Sunday was approved in January 2001 when a 1926 Ordinance restricting the number of landings to just twelve person was repealed. The island attracts 40,000 visitors in a year.

A narrow strip of land 100 metres high known as La Coupee links the main island to "Little Sark". It was reinforced by German prisoners of war after liberation in 1945. Tourism which started in the 19th century is the island's main industry and is particularly popular with day trippers. The unspoilt countryside, wildflowers and beautiful beaches bring visitors back year after year. Enjoy the olde worlde charm of horse drawn carriages to see around the island or cycle around. There are always plenty available to hire. With 40 miles of spectacular coastline, there is plenty to see and do. On the east coast is Point Robert lighthouse built in 1912. You will

La Coupee

have to go down 146 steps to reach it on the side of the cliff, but if you find it open, it is worth a visit. On the south coast is the beautiful Dixcart Bay and although like most of the bays, requires a cliff path walk down, the journey is worthwhile.

On the west coast are some caves worth exploring at low tide, particularly Les Gouiliots.

The gardens of the island's Crown tenant, the Seigneur are open to the public Monday to Friday 10.00am to 5pm Easter to October and also Saturdays in July and August. The house dates back to 1675 and became known as La Seigneurie when the Dame of Sark Suzanne Le Pelley occupied it in 1730. It is the site of a 6th century monastery of St Magloire and two of the monks small chapels have survived. The gardens are open to the public every week day during the tourist season and also on Saturdays during high season July through to the end of September. After pressure from the European Court of Human Rights, Chief Pleas decided to call free elections for the first time in the island's 400 year history to elect a democratic legislature, abolishing the seats reserved for landowners. On 10th December 2008, the electorate voted in 28 Conseillers, thereby bringing to an end the last feudal state in Europe.

There are many community events organised throughout the summer, but the highlight of the year is always the Sark Water Carnival.

There is an excellent range of bars and the island also boasts wonderful hotels, guest houses, self-catering accommodation and two camp-sites.

The island also has the world's smallest prison, but this sees little use. The island has two part time constables.

Brecqhou owners Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay invested £450,000 in the island's first vineyard in 2010 on two hectares of land, with the 20,000 new vines expected to produce the first white wine in 2014. The vines stand 100 metres above sea level and on the same latitude as the Loire. Leading wine-maker Alan Raynaud is leading the project. With the same amount of sun per annum as Bordeaux he is hopeful that the island will be producing and excellent white still and sparkling wine.

www.sark.co.uk

Brecqhou

From this part of the island, is the magnificent view of Brecqhou island. The island is approximately 160 acres in size and was bought by the Barclay twins 1n 1993 for an undisclosed sum, but was on the market for £3.5million. They have since spent several millions building a mock gothic castle in place of the original mansion. The Seigneur earns a one thirteenth of the sale price of all fief sales and has the right to demand two men with muskets to protect the island.

Brecqhou as seen from Sark

From here select any of the links on the left or below relating specifically to Sark. To return to the other islands, select Home

Useful Links

Sark Tourism site 

Sark Government site  which gives general information, details on the history and constitution of the island plus administration information and reports of Chief Pleas.