Getting around on Sark Grab your most comfortable pair of walking shoes and dust off your bicycle helmet. Sark is proud to be a car-free island! Upon Arrival Upon arrival at Maseline Harbour your luggage will be carried off the ferry and, if properly labelled, will be delivered straight to your accommodation. ​ The Tractor Bus will be waiting through the tunnel to carry passengers up Harbour Hill. Be sure to have some coins in your wallet as the journey is cash only ! ​ For those wishing to walk there are three main routes from the Harbour; Harbour Hill path or road, the cliff path via Les Laches and the cliff path via Bluebell Woods. By Bicycle Sark has three cycle hires, all located within the Village area. From Electric bikes to regular pushbikes for all ages, there's something to suit everyone. ​ Cycling around the island is a very liberating and pleasurable experience as there are no cars or pollution to contend with, only the odd tractor or horse and carriage. ​ Visitors are reminded to keep to the left when walking and cycling along the main roads and that bicycles must not be ridden along foot or cliff paths for safety reasons. By Foot Upon arrival at Maseline Harbour your luggage will be carried off the ferry and, if properly labelled, will be delivered straight to your accommodation. ​ The Tractor Bus will be waiting through the tunnel to carry passengers up Harbour Hill. Be sure to have some coins in your wallet as the journey is cash only! ​ For those wishing to walk there are several walking routes from the Harbour. By Carriage A carriage ride around Sark is perhaps the best introduction to the island. The high vantage point gives views over the hedges and the rhythmic thud of hooves on un-tarmacked roads is tranquil and relaxing. All carriage drivers must take a test to obtain their Carriage Driver’s Licence. This involves driving skills and horsemanship plus a knowledge of the island's history, as your driver will also act as a guide. ​ There are two sight-seeing tours; a one-hour tour, taking in the north of Sark, or a two-hour tour which covers the north of the island then goes to La Coupee in the south. All tours start and finish at La Collinette carriage park, at the top of Harbour Hill. Do you need a mobility scooter? See our FAQs or enquire below. First Name Last Name Email Dates Required Telephone Enquire for availability Thanks for enquiring! YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... INFO FOR VISITING BOATS SEE & DO AROUND SARK ISLAND HOPPING FROM SARK

Monks, Pirates & Folklore Saints & Sinners Sark's patron saint, St. Magloire, is said to have been gifted half of the island for miraculously curing a fatally ill Celtic Chieftain. Magloire retired to Sark in 565AD and, along with 60 fellow monks, built a monastery in the woods above Port Du Moulin bay. The monks' ancient well is still visible today near La Moinerie Hotel. ​ One of the most well-known stories about St. Magloire is how he rescued of a group of children who were playing in an abandoned wreck on the beach below the monastery when a sudden violent storm swept them out to sea. At the sound of their cries Magloire appeared and guided the boat back to safety before vanishing. The children were found the next morning by bemused fisherman. ​ Legend has it that St. Magloire led the monks in defending Sark from many Viking attacks but that eventually the monastery was destroyed during a raid led by the infamous Viking Chieftain, Jarl Hastein. For some 200 years afterwards the island remained uninhabited, a haven for pirates and wreckers, who with false lights would lure ships onto the surrounding rocks and plunder them. Legend of the Coffin Sark's own version of the Trojan Horse story has been around for centuries, since Sir Walter Raleigh wrote about it in his History of the World . It tells of how a group of merchants, tired of being attacked by the troublesome pirates in Sark, planned a clever ambush. As the story goes, the merchants sailed to Sark and called out to the pirate sentries that their captain had died at sea. They requested to bury him in the sacred grounds of St. Magloire's chapel and offered a handsome reward. The pirates agreed, on condition that the men landed unarmed. The merchants rowed ashore with only the coffin and hauled it up the steep cliff to the chapel, where they were allowed to hold a brief service in private. ​ Once inside the chapel, the merchants broke open the coffin, which was full of swords and longbows, and burst out of the building slaughtering everyone in sight. The only survivor was an old woman who was baking bread at the time of the attack. Quickly grabbing a loaf, she ran to the Coupee, climbed down the Jersey side and hid in the Convache Chasm where she lived on her half-baked loaf until she was rescued by a Guernsey fisherman. Witches, Pouquelayes and Folklore Sark has long been revered as a place of magical and supernatural occurrences. Witchcraft was no exception. In the 1600s several accused witches were sent to the stake in Guernsey, including no less than five members of the Nicole family from Little Sark. A firm belief in the dark art was prevalent on the island well into the 1900s, evidenced by the many houses built with 'witches' seats'. These protruding stones protected the home by offering visiting witches a place to rest and ensuring that they didn't fall down your chimney! ​ Up until the 1900s most islanders also believed in Pouquelayes, the sometimes helpful and often petulant Channel Island pixies who lived in the caves.Setting them apart from the others, the Sark Pouquelayes had detachable heads and enjoyed smoking pipes when not causing mischief! ​ Still today, the island attracts many alternative thinkers and practitioners from all walks of life. Traditional customs are still practiced within the community, including 'veilles', a tradition dating back to the middle ages where islanders gather in one building to pass the long winter night by knitting, crafting, singing and storytelling beside the fire. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... HISTORICAL SITES AND BUILDINGS SEIGNEURS AND FEUDAL RULE SARK ARCHAEOLOGY

S ark & The War Years Occupation & Liberation Sark was occupied, along with the other Channel Islands, during WWII. The German soldiers arrived on 3rd July, 1940 and remained on the island for nearly 5 years. During that time Dame Sybil, the island's Seigneur, famously kept the soldiers in check and protected her subjects by using her greatest strengths to her advantage: feudal etiquette and good old fashioned class. ​ “You do not appear to be in the least afraid,” one officer said. Without hesitation, Dame Sibyl replied, “Is there any reason why I should be afraid of German officers?” ​ Having a leader who spoke German, as well as French and English, was another great advantage for the people of Sark. Dame Sybil was able to communicate and negotiate better treatment for local residents and convinced the majority of them to stay on Sark during the occupation. This proved to be a saving grace for the island, as mass evacuations on other islands devastated their communities. ​ “I am not promising you that it will be easy,” she told them. “We may be hungry but we will always have our cattle and crops, our gardens, a few pigs, our sheep and rabbits.” Whilst Europe was liberated on 8th May 1945 & Guernsey the following day, Sark was not liberated until 10th May. As Channel Island members of Liberation Route Europe , there are vectors to follow, where you can walk in the footsteps of the allied forces who arrived to liberate the island. ​ “Would you mind being left for a few days, or would you prefer to go to Guernsey with me?”, asked Lieutenant Colonel K. Allen. “As I have been left for nearly five years,” she said, “I can stand a few more days.”, replied Dame Sybil. READ MORE Listen to accounts of the Commando R aids that changed the course of history during WW2. Read by Reg Guille Operation Hardtack 7 00:00 / 01:04 Basalt 00:00 / 05:01 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... HISTORICAL SITES AND BUILDINGS SEIGNEURS AND FEUDALISM MEET THE SARK LOCALS

< Back The Hideaway Bedrooms 5 Sleeps 14 B&B / Guest House About The Hideaway is a fully refurbished B&B property, offering a dog-friendly service and situated in a central location not far from the Avenue shops, restaurants and pubs. It’s the perfect place to relax & enjoy island life. Offering 2 double/twin en-suite rooms on the ground floor and a family en-suite room which has a double bed plus bunk beds. We also have 2 double rooms upstairs with a shared bathroom. Our guests are invited to use the lounge area boasting an open fire and TV. There’s lots of family games, playing cards and books available to use. The garden is available for our guests to sit, enjoy and relax. We also have a travel cot and high chair available for use. Breakfast includes tea, barrister coffee, fruit juices, cereals, fresh fruit (when available), toast and home-made jams and marmalade. We also offer croissants, pain au chocolate and a full English breakfast. We can also cater for vegan and vegetarian options. Prices: Minimum 2 nights stay during high season £80 per person per night to include breakfast £65 per person per night (upstairs rooms) to include breakfast £10 per stay for dogs Children under 16yrs old £35 per night to include breakfast Children under 8 stay free This property is also available as Self Catering Contact stay@thehideawaysark.com +44 (0) 7781 405334 Visit Website Location

Art & Language An island muse Sark has long been associated with artists, crafters, eccentrics and bohemians throughout the centuries. From William Turner, who's sketch of La Coupee from circa 1832 now hangs in the Tate, to the many present day artists, writers and photographers who visit the island to be inspired, Sark has been home and muse to many celebrated creative minds. Some of the islands most notable artistic connections include; William Arthur Toplis who visited Sark in 1833 and was so captivated by the island that he never left, producing a wealth of extraordinary paintings and sketches. Victor Hugo, who famously stayed at Dixcart Hotel during his exile in the 1850s, described the island as “a sort of fairy castle, full of wonders” and found here his inspiration for Toilers of the Sea . In later years, Mervyn Peake, renowned novelist, poet and artist, joined the rather bohemian Sark Art Group in the 1930s and spent many formative years living on Sark. So great was his love for Sark that he later returned to live with his young family in the 1950s. ​ In 2011 Sark was the location for the Artists for Nature Foundation 20th Anniversary Project. This saw a group of well renowned writers, artists, musicians and film-makers travel to the island with the aim of recording its beauty and diversity at a time when its way of life and its flora and fauna were under intense pressure of rapid change. "Buon jur! Cume ci'k t 'e?" 'Hello, how are you?' Sercquiais, also known as Sark French, Sertchais, ‘Sark patois’ or Sarkese, is a dialect of Norman French, originally derived from Jèrriais, as modern day Sark was settled & populated by Jersey families in 1565 and influenced by Guernésiais through proximity to the island of Guernsey. There exists very few written examples of Sercquaise, although the earliest recorded is an interesting one; the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew , written by linguist Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte , who visited Sark in 1862 to transcribe samples of insular language varieties. Today, Sercquiais is only spoken by a handful of older generation residents, although it remains ever present in the names of Sark's houses, streets & landmarks. Linguist Martin Neudörfl is currently working with Sark residents and Sark School to help us preserve our endangered language. L isten to Sark School Sing about St. Magloire in Sercquaise. Sark School Sercquaise 00:00 / 02:09 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... HISTORICAL SITES AND BUILDINGS SARK AND THE WAR YEARS MEET THE SARK LOCALS

Eat, Drink & Shop Map Keep yourself fed and watered as you explore the island with this map of all Sark's eateries & shops. Click on a pin to see the name of the establishment and visit their site.

< Back Clos de Chanterelle Bedrooms 3 Sleeps 6 Self Catering About Stylishly Refurbished, spacious Self-Catering Accommodation ... just a short stroll to The Avenue. Maximum - 6 ADULT GUESTS - 1 CHILD & 1 INFANT 3 x LARGE Bedrooms 1 Super-King with En-Suite 1 Super-King with En-Suite 1 Twin Bedroom (2x unusually large single beds) Spacious, modern Kitchen and Dining Room Large Lounge with Wood Burner Garden with Garden Furniture and BBQ FINISHING TOUCHES . . . Plasma TV - DVD - iPod Dock - Wi-Fi Larder Fridge - Microwave Dishwasher – Washing machine Cot - High Chair - Available upon request RELAX…. Your very own spacious & stylish 'home from home' Family friendly and perfect for couples sharing Short walk to the Shops, Restaurants and Inns Contact room@mrhesters.com +44 (0) 7781 161 010 Visit Website Location

Weddings on Sar k Say "I do" in paradise! With stunning views at every turn, couples looking to get married on Sark are spoilt for choice when it comes to ceremony and reception locations. The marriage laws on Sark allow religious and civil ceremonies to occur anywhere on the island, allowing couples to find that extra special spot. For more traditional weddings, there's St. Peter's Church, the Methodist Chapel, La Seigneurie Chapel or the Chief Pleas Assembly Room. For more information about formalities please visit the Royal Court website. Royal Court Venues & Services St. Peter's Church, the larger of the island's two churches, has beautiful stained glass windows and a traditional church organ. Anyone wishing to marry here should contact the island Minister. St. Peter's Church Visit website The Methodist Chapel, the smaller of the island's two churches, also has beautiful stained glass windows and a more intimate feel. Anyone wishing to marry here should contact the island Minister. Methodist Chapel Visit website La Seigneurie Chapel is a non-religious venue with a traditional atmosphere and church like feel. The building is steeped in history and can be decorated to your personal taste. La Seigneurie Chapel Visit website Civil wedding ceremonies are performed by the Greffier, either in the Assembly Room or at other locations. For queries about the legal requirements to marry on Sark please use the email below. Assembly Room Email Most Sark accommodation providers and eateries will be agreeable to hosting a small wedding ceremony or reception, depending on the number of guests. Browse our listings for venue inspiration. Other Venues Browse Sark lends itself to spectacular wedding photography, with panoramic views and idyllic backdrops around every corner. Click below for more information on photography and other event services. Wedding Photography Browse All four of Sark's horse and carriage operators offer decorated wedding carriage services for the bride & groom and/or wedding party. Contact the Visitor Centre for more information. Horse & Carriage Email There are several on-island providers for other event services such as wedding cakes, catering, flowers, marquees and event equipment. Please email us for more information and specific contacts. Other Services Email YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... SHOPS AND ACTIVITIES FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES OUR EVENTS CALENDAR

< Back Le Vallon d'Or Bedrooms 2 Sleeps 4 Self Catering About Le Vallon D’or is situated a short walk from The Avenue, nestled in an idyllic rural valley with distant sea views across to France from the top of the meadow. Apartment – sleeps four A self–contained two-bedroomed apartment with sitting room, fully equipped kitchen/dining room, one double bedroom with king-size bed and a second bedroom with two single beds, and bathroom with power shower, WC and wash hand basin. Located on the ground floor‚ with French doors opening into the garden. Linen, bath towels, free Wi-fi and complimentary welcome pack (tea, coffee, milk, and cereals) is provided. Both units have central heating. Situation Le Vallon d’Or provides an ideal base for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. The meadow is carpeted with primroses and bluebells in May and surrounded by woodland. The property lies close to the village and is convenient for Dixcart and Derrible Bays. Le Vallon D'or Apartment can accommodate 4 people. Terms per week: from £700 to £900 Terms per day: from £100 to £135 Contact le_vallon_dor@cwgsy.net +44 (0) 1481 832 653 Visit Website Location

< Home La Coupee The most photographed place in the Channel Islands! La Coupee is an Isthmus of sedimentary rock connecting Big Sark & Little Sark. Until 1900 there were no railings and on windy days the school children would crawl over on their hands and knees. During the Occupation the residents of Little Sark were sent to live on Big Sark so that the land could be planted with potatoes. People were allowed to return each day only to attend the crops and animals. Following Sark's Liberation the captured German Prisoners of War were ordered to rebuild La Coupee, erecting the concrete supports and handrails that we see today. The reconstruction took around 6 months.

< Home La Seigneurie The official Seigneural residence. La Seigneurie house dates from 1675 and has been home to two of Sark’s three Seigneurial families: the Le Pelleys (from 1730) and the Collings (from 1852), the latter being ancestors of the current Seigneur. Over the centuries and under the whims of successive Seigneurs, La Seigneurie evolved into the house we see today. The result is a building of great character, with at least two ways to most rooms and no less than sixteen flights of stairs, excluding those to the tower! Beside the residence there are two stone outbuildings, one of which is called the Chapel, and a dovecot erected by Dame Le Pelley in 1733 to house her pigeons. The Watchtower is Victorian, erected to allow for signalling between Sark and Guernsey.

South Route Starts at La Coupée Ends at La Coupée Highlights are La Coupée, Silver Mines and Coastal Views. The Route Big, beautiful views in Little Sark! Begin your walk at La Coupée or push your bike across the isthmus to begin walking from La Sablonnerie Hotel instead* *. Cross over La Coupée , taking in the stunning views on both sides, and follow the main road to La Sablonnerie Hotel . Turn left at the hotel and follow the road to the Silver Mines gate. Follow the path to the left, passing the tall chimney relics of the Silver Mines . Continue along this path, leading down to the headland. Follow the coastal path westward, looping back up through the Silver Mines ruins. Take the left hand fork and follow this path along the coast, again heading westward. Cut back through the farm fields by going over the stiles and follow the road to the right to bring you back to La Sablonnerie . Follow the main road back the way you came to end at La Coupée . ​ *Warning: This walking route runs near to a cliff edge at some points. ** Please note: La Sablonnerie Hotel is currently closed. Distance 5 km Incline Fair / Moderate Approx. Time 1hr 45mins