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Sark
As one of the few places left in the world where there are no cars, the island of Sark is the place to be if you wish to escape the stresses of modern day living. Transport yourself back in time to a place where horse-drawn carts still rule the road, and where the only noise pollution comes from the occasional rumbling of a distant tractor.
Sark is one of the smaller Channel Islands, covering an area of a little over 2 square kilometres. Despite this, it offers a great many sights and attractions to explore.
Its unspoilt landscape and spectacular coastline is wonderfully scenic, while its status as the world’s first ‘Dark Sky Island’ makes it an excellent place for stargazing. About 500 people live on the island permanently, and it is well geared up to tourists, with many opportunities to indulge your taste buds in delicious locally-produced food.
Things to See and Do in Sark
La Seigneurie
La Coupee
Sark Museum
Dixcart Bay
The Venus Pool
The Avenue
Sark Henge
Window in the Rock
Sark Boat Trips
Sark Carriages
Isthmus on Sark
Ancient prison on the island Sark
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation – Sark has a wide variety of accommodation options available, despite its small size. You can choose from hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and campsites, as well as others. Campsites charge as little as £7.50 per night if you bring your own tent, or around £25 per night if you’d like to rent a fully-equipped tent. Prices for B&Bs on the island start from around £95 per night, while hotels tend to be more expensive.
Food – With numerous cafe’s, hotel restaurants and other eateries, Sark is a great place for culinary experiences. A typical meal with a drink at an average restaurant will cost you around £16, making it a little more expensive than some of the other Channel Islands. Groceries are generally pricier too and can be limited in their variety.
Transportation – There are no cars on Sark, so transport options are limited to walking, cycling or horse and carriage. However, the island is very small, so it is very easy to get around using any of these methods. Bicycles can be rented out for about £8.50 per day, with several companies offering these services.
For the authentic Sark experience, 1.5 hour tours of the island by horse and carriage can be purchased from £14 per person. Sark can be accessed via ferry trips from nearby Guernsey, costing £29.50 for a peak adult day return.
Suggested Daily Budget: 82 – 90 EUR / 100 – 110 USD / 71 – 78 GBP
(Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
Money Saving Tips
1
Book in Advance
It's always possible to save money when travelling if you book things such as flights or accommodation well in advance of your trip. Last minute bookings are often far more expensive.
2
Try to Avoid June and July
While these months often see the warmest temperatures in Sark, they are also by far the busiest, which pushes prices up. The months either side of June and July can still provide nice weather, while offering much better value.
3
Use Price Comparison Websites
This can be the best way to find good deals on accommodation on the island, especially during the high season.
4
Explore the Coastline
Sark has some spectacular scenery, with little coves and dramatic cliffs dotting the coastline. Exploring these areas come with no cost, yet can be thrilling experiences.
What else can you expect from Sark?
The island of Sark is made up of two sections – Sark and Little Sark. They are connected by a narrow isthmus known as La Coupee, which has steep drops of 260 feet on both sides but is topped by an impressive pathway. As cars are banned from the island, the local ambulance and fire engine are both pulled by tractor, to ensure help can be offered quickly when needed.
In 1990, a nuclear physicist from France arrived on Sark and attempted to take control of the island single-handedly. After putting up posters outlining his intentions, he armed himself with an automatic rifle, but was quickly arrested by the local police constable. Some think his desire to take over the island is a testament to its beauty. Sark also has its very own language, Sercquiais, although just a handful of people still speak it.
Related articles
Interview with Wendy Maitland – Author living in Sark
Wendy Maitland was born in London in 1938 to medical missionary parents who were then posted to a war zone to continue their medical work.
Interview with Louise Hill – Artist living in Sark
Louise Hill, although of British in origin, has spent a significant portion of her life in Africa. She was born in Kenya and raised in Zimbabwe. She also lived in England for a long time.
Renewable Energy in the Channel Islands – Present & Future Opportunities
Since the start of the 21st century, renewable energy has had a boom around the world. Such high acceptance and popularity of renewable energy are due to two main factors.
November 28, 2020
