About Sark
Sark, the peaceful Channel Island, is a unique place where you can step back into time to an age before cars – there are none. For generations it has managed to retain its independence from the outside world and despite the annual deluge of visitors there is little to disturb the population of some five hundred, other than farm sounds and the calls of sea birds.
The island’s early history is sketchy. To the Romans it was Sargia. Under the Normans it was held sacred by its monks but was soon abandoned to hermits due to the Black Death and frequent raids by pirates. Sark’s modern history starts in 1565 with the arrival of Helier De Carteret, Seigneur of St Ouen in Jersey. He was granted the island by Queen Elizabeth I on condition that it was continually inhabited and capable of defence. This he managed with the aid of 40 families, 35 from Jersey and the remainder from Guernsey. The feudal government they established remained largely intact until recently, when Sark was the last bastion of feudal government to fall to democracy. Sark is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Rising to 116m (380 ft), Sark is hard to miss. A rather sinister aspect from seawards belies the charm of the countryside on top of the plateau. As a place for the crew to stretch their legs it is unsurpassed. Secure the tender at on of the many landing places, scale up a narrow cliff path and walk or cycle the tracks in some of the cleanest air in the realm. For the less energetic, the island may be explored by horse and carriage and there is a tractor drawn trailer that hauls visitors up the hill from La Maseline Harbour. The village offer basic shopping, two banks, a post office and a good smattering of hotels, restaurants and pubs. The island can be rather creepy after dark and cliff paths are dangerous without a torch.
Little Sark to the south is joined to the main island by a spectacular causeway known as La Coupée.
Brecqhou Island
This island off the west coast is separated by the narrow Gouliot Passage. It is privately owned and landing is strictly prohibited. In recent years a conspicuous fort style residence has been built on the north-west corner.
Ashore
The only way to see the island is on foot, with a bike or by horse and cart. Not all bays have footpaths ashore, and apart from the harbours, the easiest landings for the village are at Dixcart Bay and Grande Grève.
Sark Information Centre in The Avenue provides and excellent official map of footpaths and landmarks. It is worth visiting La Coupée, the causeway between Sark and Little Sark, and the formal gardens of La Seigneurie. This is the official residence of the Seigneur of Sark.
There are several restaurants ashore specialising in sea food. Dixcart Bay Hotel (Phone 832015) and Aval du Creux Hotel and Restaurant (Phone 852036) and La Sablonnerie Hotel, Little Sark (Phone 832061) are recommended. If taking an evening meal ashore, be prepared to return to the yacht in total darkness – there is no street lighting!