The Isle of Sark is the world's first Dark Sky Island, owing to its recognised lack of light pollution and incredible starry displays. The island's observatory is open to the public. Dark Skies Dark Sky Island Status In 2011 Sark gained recognition from the International Dark-Sky Association for its exceptional lack of light pollution, owing largely to the fact that we have no street lights! Sark became the first island community to gain the title of Dark Sky Island. This fantastic accolade helped to fully establish SAstroS, the Sark Astronomy Society ; a band of enthusiastic stargazers eager to share the wonders of Sark's magical night time display with others. The Society funded and runs the island's Observatory and hosts annual Starfest celebrations with renowned guest speakers, normally in the Autumn or Spring to mark both the beginning or end of Winter. For information about visiting the Observatory and how to book an unforgettable astronomical experience please contact the Visitor Centre. Email Just look up! One of the most notable aspects of our dark sky is that no matter where you are on the island, all you have to do to appreciate the incredible starry display is look up! In 2020, one of the founding SAstroS members, Dr Richard Axton, registered a star in celebration of Sark’s recognition as the world’s first Dark Sky Island; 'Sark Island IDA 2011'. In the Star Registry our star is numbered 1565600 – Corona Borealis. A delightful coincidence given that Sark was settled in 1565! The constellation Corona Borealis is to be seen in Spring in the eastern sky, almost above St. Peter's Church, as viewed from the Sark Observatory and will progress to the western sky during the year. A Guide to the Biggest Astronomical Events of 2026 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... GUIDE TO BAYS AND BEACHES SARK ISLAND CLIMATE NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

The Isle of Sark has a lot to see for such a small island. Get your bearings with our interactive map, showing all the attractions, beaches and some shops and services. Interactive Map Get your bearings with our interactive map of Sark's historical & natural attractions. Including all the beaches, eateries and some shops and services. Click on a pin to see what it shows. Alternatively, download a PDF version of our printed Island Map here .

The Isle of Sark has many walking routes covering most of the island and including many panoramic sea views. Discover our suggested self guided walking routes here. East Route Starts at The Harbours Ends at The Avenue Highlights are Sark Henge, Hog's Back & Coastal Views. The Route Great for sightseeing upon arrival! From the bottom of Harbour Hill , begin walking up and take the first left hand path, veering left again at the signpost and following the stairs leading up to Les Laches . When the path meets the main road turn right and after a short distance take a left off the road through a wooden gate, heading towards Derrible Bay and Sark Henge . At the pond (usually dry in Summer), Sark Henge is up to the left, perfect for a rest stop with amazing views. To the right is the path that leads to Hog's Back. After viewing Sark Henge , follow the path leading to Hog's Back. Enjoy another rest stop at the cannon at the end of Hog's Back with panoramic sea views of both Derrible and Dixcart bays. Head back along the same path, taking the first left hand fork and a right when the path meets a lane. When the lane meets the main road, take a left and then right to the Avenue . Distance 3 km Incline Moderate Approx. Time 1hr 15mins

The Isle of Sark has many walking routes covering most of the island and including many panoramic sea views. Discover our suggested self guided walking routes here. Southwest Route Starts at Visitor Centre Ends at Visitor Centre Highlights are Historical Sites, and Pilcher Monument. The Route A leisurely stroll with 'monumental' view s! Begin your walk at the Visitor Centre. Follow the main road westward, past the historical buildings of Le Manoir and the Mill . At Vaurocque crossroad go straight through and continue walking, passing Beauregard duck pond . After the pond, follow the road to the left and then to the right after the stone cottage. Follow the road to Pilcher Monument for a rest stop at the picnic tables and to take in the magnificent views. Head back along the same road, this time following the path to the right of the stone cottage. Just past the cottage, turn right and follow the trail southward through fields with sea views. Where the trail meets the main road cross over and go straight down Dixcart Lane , taking a left at Stocks Hotel and passing the Smugglers Bar. Head up through the meadows back to the Visitor Centre. Distance 3 km Incline Fair Approx. Time 1 hour

The Isle of Sark has dedicated Visitor Officers who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Also see our FAQs. CONTACT U s Use the form below to contact the Visitor Centre directly o r browse our FAQs . If you have visited us, please fill out our Exit Survey for a chance to win a FREE return ferry ticket with Isle of Sark Shipping! Contact Us Name* Email* Phone Message* Submit Message ADDRESS Visitor Centre The Avenue Sark Channel Islands GY10 1SA E: office@sark.co.uk T: +44 (0) 1481 832 345 OPENING HOURS October to March Mon - Sat 9am - 1pm April and May Mon - Fri 9am - 2:30pm Sat 9am - 4pm June to September Mon - Sat 9am - 4pm Sunday - 11am - 1pm WHAT OUR LONGTIME VISITORS SAY First visited sark aged 3, spent every summer holiday there until I was 19. It always feels like home and brings back some very powerful positive memories. My parents honeymooned on Sark and we went often as a family. I learned to ride a bike there! As my absolute favourite place in the world my husband and I got engaged there! I came with my parents on a day tip from Jersey and camped with my girlfriend. Now married we came back with our children several times. We often talk about our time on the Isle. I visited as a child then as a adult and also worked on Sark summer of 2003. Such a wonderful place to switch off and relax. First time I went to sark was to work in 1997, love the island in the summer time loads of swimming and working swimming. Great times and memories. My daughter had her 5th birthday there. We visited camping from1982 until the early 90’s. We love Sark and still love to visit. Sark has a place in all our hearts. First time I visited Sark was in1988 with my mother and we came back in 1989. Last two years I returned with my own children. Sark is just as pretty and amazing as it was in my memories. Our first family holiday was in the summer of 1996, we’ve been every year since sometimes twice a year. Our daughters and grandkids come to Sark. We love it, there’s no place quite like it. We had the most incredible family holidays. We all have fabulous memories. I remember fun and laughter, scrambling caves and adventures on our bikes. Sark holds a special place in my family’s hearts. I worked for the Curtis family at Beauvoir in the 1970s. We return as a family regularly, it feels like my home, more than anywhere else in the world.

The Isle of Sark boasts spectacular natural landscapes, with the impressive 'La Coupee' being one of the most photographed attractions in the Channel Islands. Natural Attractions Gouliot Headland RAMSAR The Headland gained it's RAMSAR status in 2007 and is recognised worldwide for its unique animal and plant life, particularly in the Gouliot Caves, which boast a colourful patchwork of marine life including sponges, anemones and corals. The headland above the caves is a blanket of bluebells and primroses in Spring and lush green ferns in Summer. Botanists may also spot white bluebells and the rare sand crocus. Walking on the headland is a delight. Whether it ' s picnicking on a bench, watching the sunset over the panoramic sea view or saying hello to the resident sheep and goats that graze the area. Venus Pool Venus Pool is a natural sea pool tucked away under a rocky bluff in Little Sark. This somewhat enigmatic emerald pool only appears 2 hours before and after low tide, before it is engulfed by the sea once more. The water is very clear, displaying the wonderful array of colourful seaweeds lining its walls and the hues of light and dark rocks along the bottom. Venus Pool is a delightful bathing spot, with panora mic sea views and large flat rocks surrounding it for a much needed post swim sunbathe and picnic. Dixcart Valley An oasis at the heart of the island, Dixcart Valley is a lush woodland with tall trees, fern covered banks and a babbling stream that meets the sea at Dixcart Bay. In Spring the Valley is blanketed in bluebells and white wild garlic. Under the Summer sun, the walk through the Valley offers cool and refreshing shade, with gorgeously dappled sunlight through the trees. There are several trails that run through Dixcart Valley, leading north and south along the coast as well as down to Dixcart bay itself. The walk is gentle and offers the Islan d's easiest beach access. L'Eperquerie This area at the very north of the island encompasses several different natural attractions. At the top you will find L'Eper querie Common, a large open headland with spectacular panoramic sea views across to Herm, Guernsey and even Alderney. At the end of the Common stand the Manlet Half Tower and Buddhist Rock Carving, whilst below lies L'Eperquerie Beach and Pool, Les Fontaines Bay. Various trails circle around and through this area, with several benches dotted along the way to take in the many magnificent views. Port Du Moulin Woods These ancient woods below La Seigneurie are both beautiful and historically interesting, as they housed the site of the island's medieval monastery. The trail, lined with colourful wild flowers, gently zigzags through the woods, alongside the babbling stream that appears as a small waterfall above Port du Moulin Bay. The woodland trail also leads to Window in the Rock and the lookout perched atop Tintageu bluff. Happy Valley Happy Valley is tucked away in the West of the island, with a single entry and exit path leading off from the road to Pilcher Monument. The Valley sits above Port es Sais, a sandy bay only accessible by boat. Shingle from the beach used to be winched up the cliff and the old machi nery still sits like a time warp at the bottom of the valley. Happy Valley owes its name to the many happy hours spent by locals here who use the smooth sloping valley sides for yak sledding. Bluebell Woods Named after the beautiful displays of bluebells to be found here each year, this stretch of woods spans all along the north side of Harbour Hill. The trails through the woods lead into open fields and meadows with lovely panoramic sea views towards France and beyond that into the quaint back lanes of the village area. Hog's Back Hog's Back, named after the shape of the headland as seen from the sea, cradles Dixcart Bay on one side and Derrible Bay on the other, with fantastic views of both from the cannon perch. During the second world war, commando troops famously scaled the Hog's Back headland in a raid that changed the course of history. Today, a memorial plaque stands poignantly on the cliff edge. In Autumn the path to Hog's Back offers great blackberry and sloe picking for home made gin! La Coupée and Little Sark This striking isthmus of land connecting Big and Little Sark is probably the island's most famed attraction. With steep steps leading down to Grande Greve Bay on one side and a sheer drop on the other, the crossing and the views are truly breathtaking. Having crossed La Coupée into Little Sark the road winds its way down to the south facing headlands. There are many caves, creeks and pools along Little Sark's stretch of coastline, as well as land based attractions such as the Dolmen and Silver Mines ruins. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... DARK SKY ISLAND & OBSERVATORY SELF-GUIDED WALKS OUR ISLAND WILDLIFE

The Isle of Sark digital brochure can be viewed online or downloaded as a pdf for off-line viewing. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive new copies of the brochure for holiday inspiration. Browse & Download Browse or download our digital brochure for holiday inspiration and interesting information.

The Isle of Sark has a very unique history of Seigneural and feudal rule. Sark was in fact the last feudal state in Europe as it only became a democracy in 2008. Learn more here. Seigneurs & Feudal Rule Europe's last Feudal state Sark's own model of feudalism was unique and notably different from that of Medieval feudalism in other parts of the continent at that time. Unlike Lords elsewhere, the Seigneur did not have serfs serving him, nor were his Tenants poor peasants. The Tenants of Sark were land owning farmers, heirs of the 40 prominent families that Helier DeCarteret brought over from Jersey in 1565 to colonise and defend the island on behalf of the Crown. When the Fief changed hands and was bought by a wealthy Guernsey family, ties with Jersey began to diminish and many ancestors of the original Jersey families decided to leave Sark. Industrial shifts occurring in Europe saw prosperity come to Guernsey and Jersey but Sark's lack of a decent harbour, amongst other things, meant that Sark did not prosper in the same way. The agricultural community of Sark began to suffer and anti-feudal sentiments echoing those of Revolutionists elsewhere were wide-spread. From the late 1700's the people of Sark protested the rights and powers of the Seigneur and, due to the unique make-up of the political system on Sark, were relatively successful. As for how Sark came to be the last feudal state in Europe, one could say that the the island's small and insular existence created a feudal microcosm, whereby the unique system was able to resolve matters more effectively. The disparities between rich and poor, powerful and powerless, were less than in larger places and perhaps this helped to keep full blown revolution at bay. Sark moved to a system of democracy in 2008, not because the feudal system was broken but because Chief Pleas wished to bring Sark in line with the rest of the world and abide by human rights and other laws to better serve the community. To learn more about Sark's current government visit the Chief Pleas website. CHIEF PLEAS John Carteret 2nd 1715 - 1720 William Thomas Collings 1853 - 1882 Dame Sybil Hathaway 1927 - 1974 Michael Beaumont 1974 - 2016 Seigneural Timeline Helier DeCarteret 1565-1578 Hellier, Seigneur of Saint Ouen in Jersey, came to Sark in 1563, intent on re-cultivating the island and ridding it of pirates. He was rewarded by being granted the fief in 1565 by Elizabeth I . YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... HISTORICAL SITES AND BUILDINGS SARK AND THE WAR YEARS MEET THE SARK LOCALS

The Isle of Sark is stunningly beautiful, car-free and bursting with charm. Discover the island's rich heritage and diverse flora and fauna. Our Island Sark is stunningly beautiful, bursting with charm & one of the smallest autonomous territories in the world! Discover what makes this British Isle one of a kind. Welcome Situated off the North coast of France, Sark is the third smallest of the Channel Islands; an archipelago of British islands with a distinctly French feel and beauty aplenty. Sark particularly has a very unique character and personality, setting it apart from the other islands and the rest of the world. With no cars, paved roads or street lights you can drop down a gear and truly unwind. In place of traffic, you will see horse drawn carriages, bicycles and the odd tractor passing by. Needless to say, the pace of life is very relaxed and peaceful. Without the hustle and bustle of modern day life comes a wonderful sense of freedom. Sark is nothing short of a magical island straight out of a fairytale, ready to explore! Walking trails cover almost the whole island, crossing headlands with panoramic sea views, winding through lush wooded valleys and zigzagging down to beautiful bays. For those who seek more adventure, Sark has over 40 miles of untouched coastline, with many hidden creeks, rock pools & sea caves that can be explored through water activities. In short, Sark is proud to be a quirky & unique destination! Di scover Sark Sark has a long & colourful history of invasion, occupation & settlement. The island has been home to many different peoples over the centuries, including Roman soldiers, French monks, pirates & Jersey nobility. History & Heritage Read More Discover Sark's natural attractions. From wildflowers to wildlife, our beautiful beaches and the wonders that appear in our dark skies! Browse our climate page for helpful monthly weather information. All about Nature Read More Sark is a very interesting place to visit and an even more unique place to live and work. Meet the locals and learn more about daily life on this tiny autonomous jurisdiction in the middle of the English Channel! Island Life Read More Get your bearings by exploring our interactive Island Map. All of Sark's historical and natural places of interest are listed here. As well as all the bays from our beach guide, eateries and some shops or services. Island Map Read More A small island with a big personality!

The Isle of Sark is home to one of the most well known attractions in the Channel Islands, the famous Seigneurie Gardens, as well as newer attractions such as Sark Henge and the island's Playground. Attractions on Sark La Seigneurie Gardens Set between flower-strewn granite walls and the towers and crenellations of one of the most historic buildings in Sark, La Seigneurie Gardens provide a tranquil contrast to the windswept wildness of the island’s beautiful coast. The walled garden is over-flowing with fascinating flowers and shrubs and the beautiful granite walls shelter many plants that can only survive under glass in other parts of the British Isles. War-Time Exhibition The exhibition is held in the old Island Hall, near St Peter’s Church. The Hall was used during the Occupation for most, if not all, community gatherings. It was here that the Dame gave her speech discouraging islanders from evacuating at the outset of the occupation and where islanders listened to Winston Churchill declaring the end of the war over the radio. The old Hall was also used during the intervening period by locals and Germans alike for social events such as drama group plays and indoor sports. Heritage Room Run by La Société Sercquaise, the Heritage room is a museum-like space filled with interesting and rare artefacts and information relating to Sark's history, heritage, natural environment and culture. Here you will find a library, collections, displays and a herbarium as well as temporary exhibitions. Entry into the Heritage Room is free. Sark Playground Located next to the Methodist Chapel , the Sark Playground offers a variety of exciting play equipment for small and big kids. With benches, picnic tables and lots of open green space, the playground is also a wonderful community picnic spot. Mon Plaisir grocery store is located opposite the playground for snacks and drinks. Buddhist Rock Carving Chosen for its hard-wearing granite, this stone was carved out for the Millennium by a Tibetan Monk at the request of a lover of Sark. The inscription is a sacred Buddhist mantra, "Hail the jewel in the heart of the lotus " and offers protection against evil. The large stone sits proudly at the end of L'Epercquerie headland, facing westward towards the other islands of Herm, Jethou and Guernsey. Sark Observatory With a cleverly sliding rooftop, the Sark Observatory houses a state of the art telescope for viewing Sark's incredible starry night sky and planetary displays. Run by members of the Sark Ast ronomy Society (SAstr oS), visitors may book a guided session to use the telescope and learn about Sark's night sky. Cider Barn Originally built as a house in the 1560s, this building is possibly one of the oldest on Sark still standing. Later known as the Pressoir , the house was used for cider making in the 1620s, complete with a press and horse-drawn crusher. Further additions in Victorian times included a hay loft and hatch. The derelict barn was restored by La Société Sercquaise in 2013 and is now used as an archaeological display room cum community space for exhibitions, workshops and traditional veillies . Island Hall & Community Center The Island Hall and Community Centre houses a fantastic cafe and upstairs bar with balcony overlooking the Millennium Sports Field, as well as several other rooms that can be hired out by the hour. These rooms include the Toplis Room, with snooker table, the Board room, with table tennis and tv, and the main Hall, with full sized badminton court and projection facilities. Beauregard Duck Pond This unassuming little duck pond comes to life every Good Friday when the community comes out to sail toy boats and eat hot cross buns in the Spring sun! The tradition of Good Friday boat sailing can be traced back at least a hundred years but the activity can be enjoyed any day of the year. Sark Henge Sark Henge was built in 2015 to commemorate the 450 year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I granting the Fief of Sark to Helier De Carteret, Seigneur of St Ouen, on 6th August 1565. Nine stones of Jersey granite, previously used by Helier’s tenants as gate hinges to enclose their fields, were erected in a ring to represent the nine medieval territories: Fort, Moinerie, Ville, Valette, Avant le Creux, Dixcart, Bourel, Beauregard, Petit Sercq. Each of the nine stones is aligned with a local landmark or by the sun, marking the winter and summer solstice and the spring and autumn equinox. La Coupée This striking isthmus of land connecting Big and Little Sark is probably the island's most famed attraction. With steep steps leading down to Grande Greve Bay on one side and a sheer drop on the other, the crossing and the views are truly breathtaking. Having crossed La Coupée into Little Sark the road winds its way down to the south facing headlands. There are many caves, creeks and pools along Little Sark's stretch of coastline, as well as land based attractions such as the Dolmen and Silver Mines ruins. Sark Art Gallery Opened in April 2025, the Sark Art Gallery and Museum is a multipurpose and interactive space for the display and sale of artwork by local artists as well as workshops, visiting residencies and a shop. The Art Gallery is host to community art projects and offers a variety of activities for adults and children. Browse through a multitude of different mediums, from traditional fine art to tapestry, photography, knitting, model making, pottery, silversmithing and more. Stocks Permaculture Garden Created in 2013 as an extension of the hotel's veggie patch, the vast garden now includes raised organic vegetable beds, a fruit orchard, a cedar greenhouse, a flock of chickens and a beehive. The award winning garden is based on permaculture principles; biodynamic growing, companion planting, chicken tractors and lunar sowing schedules. Guided tours take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3pm between April and October. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... SHOPS AND ACTIVITIES FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES OUR EVENTS CALENDAR

The Isle of Sark is only accessible by ferry and the journey to get here can be an adventure in itself. The neighbouring islands of Guernsey and Jersey can be reached by air with onward ferry travel to Sark. Getting Here & Getting Around Sark is only accessible by sea & the journey is an adventure in itself! The island is entirely car-free so walking or cycling is essential to get around. Channel Islands By Air How to reach Guernsey & Jersey > Sark By Sea How to reach the island > Car-free & Carefree! G etting a round on Sark > Visiting Boats Sark Moorings & Anchorage >

The Isle of Sark has a very relaxed and unique way of life. The locals residents often wear many hats and occupy essential volunteer roles to support the community. Meet the Locals Sark locals often wear many hats, as these residents will confirm! Learn about how they came to live here and their roles within the community. Speaker of Chief Pleas Paul I moved to Sark with my family in 1979 when we purchased Stocks Hotel. My wife Jane and I married here at St Peter’s Church and with our 3 children spent many happy years in Sark running the hotel. As well as working at Stocks, I served as Sark Vingtenier and then Constable before standing for election as a Deputy of Chief Pleas in 1999. I remained a Deputy in the old, semi-feudal assembly of Chief Pleas for 9 years. In 2008, I stood in Sark’s first ever democratic elections and served as a Conseiller in the new assembly for 4 years. In 2017 I was elected to the role of Deputy Speaker of Chief Pleas before being elected to the senior position of Speaker from February 2023. All of these jobs and roles have allowed me to be an active member of the community that I care about. First Responder Sam I grew up on Sark and despite studying and working elsewhere it has always been home. Now I live here with my wife and children. My day job is running a building company but like many Sark residents I wear several hats, including Lead Member of the Island's Emergency Response Team. Myself and the other trained volunteers attend call-outs day and night, using an electric bike to transport the medical kit and be first on the scene for patients in emergency anywhere on the island. I've held many volunteer community positions over the years, including Constable, Conseiller and Sea Fisheries Officer, but being a First Responder and being able to help people when they need it the most feels like the best way for me to give back to my community. Chocolatier Caragh My husband and I came to Sark in 1989 and instantly fell in love with Island life. Being near the sea and part of a community is such a privilege. I was always impressed with the quality of the dairy products so, although trained and working as a nurse, I decided to try making delicious chocolates with Sark cream. It took three years of trial and error but that was 30 years ago and we are still going from strength to strength! Along the way, we had five children. I was a founding member and active participant of Sark Playschool for almost 20 years. Later I trained as a yoga teacher and have taught yoga for the last eight years including enrichment classes at Sark School. When we lost our Dairy in 2019, I joined the Dairy Trust to help fund and build our new dairy. I have also served on Children's Panel, as Constable, First Responder and managed care teams. Not all the hats are work! I swim with the Sark Sea Sirens all winter, run with the Running Club and have a great book club group. Life is never dull here and raising a family was a joy. Constable Budgie Originally from Ireland, I lived and worked in England and Guernsey before moving to Sark with my wife in 2001 to take on the Bel Air Pub. In the early years I joined the volunteer Ambulance crew as I felt this was an essential service and something I could do for “my” island. I later joined the island's government, Chief Pleas, for a couple of years and left the pub life behind to start up an activities company called Adventure Sark, which I am still involved with today. Now I am in the role of Constable and as well as my Sark Police work I also look after an estate which involves building and garden maintenance. This makes life a real balancing act, especially in the Summer but during the winter it is easier and that’s when we do all our police training. Sark is a great place to live and work and explore. People always say "good morning", "hello" and "how are you". It has a real community feeling which I’m sure you won’t find in many places these days. Fireman Kevin Now which ‘hat’ shall I wear today? There goes the pager, so that’s decided it for me! Variety is supposedly the ‘spice of life’. I love all my different jobs. Fire Chief, Prevot (Court Officer), church organist and choir master are the part time jobs, then my day jobs of agriculture, landscape work with diggers, road repairs, crushing stone, machinery repairs, fibreglass repairs of literally anything from tractor mudguards to boats to flat roofs. Even each individual job has variety, take the Fire Service, all the emergencies are different. One thing's for sure, I’ve never been bored! Sark is a very unique place to live and work, as these locals who all wear many hats will confirm! Here's the low down on Sark Island life and all its quirks from those who know it best. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... SHOPS AND ACTIVITIES FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES OUR EVENTS CALENDAR