Sark is free from cars and vehicles, except tractors, therefore your mode of transport is a choice between walking, cycling or a horse and carriage sight-seeing trip. Perhaps a mixture of the three is the best way to see everything the island has to offer.
When you disembark in Sark, you will see an archway leading to a tunnel. Once through the tunnel, you approach harbour hill, with an adjacent footpath offering a picturesque ascent to the village. Or there is the more popular option of waiting for the “toast rack” tractor, in which for a small charge you will be transported in true Sark style to the village. Your luggage travels separately from you and this is taken care of by the team of local carters, which is why it is important to have all luggage correctly labelled with name and accommodation details.
From the village many accommodation venues are within walking distance, however The Avenue (the main street in the village) does have facilities for you to hire a bicycle and for many visitors this is the preferred mode of transport for Sark. If all of these are sounding a little too much in physical exertion then the horses & carriages await! These can be pre-booked for large parties or specifically tailored tours.
Book your bicycle or carriage before your trip:
Cycle Hire.
Avenue Cycle Hire 01481 832102 avenue.cycle.hire@cwgsy.net www.avenuecyclessark.co.uk
A to B Cycle Hire 01481 832844 bookings@atobcycles.com www.atobcycles.com
Carriage Rides.
A carriage ride is perhaps the best introduction to the island. The high vantage point gives views over the hedges, and the quietness of this mode of travel is characterised by creaking of the harness, the jingle of the rings on the horse’s bit and the rhythmic thud of the hooves on untarmaced roads.
All the carriage drivers have to take a test to obtain their Carriage Drivers Licence. This involves driving skills and horsemanship, and a knowledge of the history of Sark: they not only drive you around but also act as guides.
There are two main types of vehicles used on Sark – a carriage which can seat six people (four in the back and two in front beside the driver) and a van which seats ten people (eight in the back and two up front).
The two tours which most people experience are either 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 the Coupee in the south. All tours start and finish from the Collenette (the crossroads at the top of the hill.
Some carriages will be pre-booked for tour operators, but there will also be carriages that are freelance (not pre-booked). There is no taxi rank order. If you are not with a tour just go up to any driver. They will tell you if they are available or not. Prices can vary depending on length of tour, stops etc. so ask the driver what the charge will be per person. Most drivers offer reductions for children.
If arriving off the ferry for a day trip and you wish to take a carriage ride but have not pre-booked, then approach the carriage drivers about a tour as soon as you get off the tractor bus at the top of Harbour Hill. The drivers will be able to tell you where they are going, what they charge and whether they have spaces available and at what time.
Most carriage tours, in the summer, start their tours from the top of Harbour Hill to coincide with all Sark inbound morning boats and often at 1.30pm also.
Stocks Hotel 01481 832001 www.stockshotel.com
Danny 07781 113386 dannysark@cwgsy.net
Travellers with restricted mobility
For travellers with restricted mobility, there are many variables to consider such as getting on and off the ferry, walking up the harbour steps on a low tide compared to a high tide, the short walk to the tractor bus and getting around when you reach the top of Harbour Hill.
As the level of mobility is different for every person, it is advisable to telephone Sark Visitor Centre to talk through any concerns you may have in connection with your individual journey to the island. The visitor officers live on Sark and will be able to help you with all aspects.
We have mobility scooters to hire but under Sark law, for those wishing to hire a mobility scooters please see below:
Information for those wishing to book a vehicle
In order to hire a mobility scooter on Sark you will have a medical condition requiring the use of a scooter. We only have 3 vehicles so they must be booked in advance. You should do this as soon as possible as the application for a scooter takes time to process plus the number available are limited and during summer particularly can book up quickly. The steps to pre-book a scooter are as follows:
- Contact the Sark Tourism Office to check for availability, Tel: 01481 832345
- e-mail office@sark.co.uk. Inform them of the dates for which you will be requiring a vehicle and give them your contact information
- A If you have a disability ‘blue’ badge then you can scan or send a copy of this to Sark Medical Centre (contact details are below); or B Otherwise, your GP will need to contact our doctor on Sark, giving your name, address, dates visiting Sark and details of your condition.
- A In the case of a disability badge, the Sark doctor will automatically issue a license enabling you to hire a scooter; or B In the case of a letter received from your doctor to the Sark doctor, if our Sark doctor agrees with your GP’s assessment, he will issue the license to enable you to hire a scooter. The Road Traffic Committee will write to you confirming your ability to hire the scooter.
- The cost will be £20 per day, to be paid at the Visitor Centre during your visit.
Contact info. for the Sark doctor Phone 01481 832045
e-mail: practice.manager@sarkmedical.co.uk
Website: www.sarkmedical.co.uk
Sark Medical Officer
The Medical Centre
Sark
Channel Islands
GY10 1SF
