Sark Island (Channel Islands UK)

Sark Island located in one of UK's Channel Islands, located in English Channel's southwestern part and off France's Normandy coast. Sark Island covers a total area of approx 5,5 km2 (2 ml2), including the nearby Brecqhou Island, and has population around 600.

Sark is a British Royal fief (heritable property) with rights granted to Hellier de Carteret (1563-1578, first Seigneur of Sark, reigning between 1563-1578) by Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603, Queen of England and Ireland between 1558-1603). Sark Island is part of Bailiwick of Guernsey, but has its own laws (based on Norman law) and its own parliament.

On Sark Island there are no any cars or paved roads. Main method of transportation are tractors and horse-drawn buggies. Even emergency ambulances on Sark Island are tractor-drawn. The unique feature makes this Channel Island a best place for strolling or cycling (local bicycles can be rented). Horse-pulled carriages come with a local tour guide. These tours can even extend to the Little Sark peninsula, entailing a ride across Le Coupee - narrow isthmus (length 300 ft / 91 m, drop of 330 ft / 100 m on each side). On Little Sark there is a hamlet and at the La Sablonnerie - a guesthouse and a cafe.

In 2011, the isle was designated "Dark Sky Island Community" (world's first one) which means it is sufficiently clear of pollution to allow viewing the stars with naked eyes. The island consists of 2 main parts - Greater Sark and Little Sark. They are linked via the narrow La Coupee. A narrow concrete road covers the entirety of the La Coupee. The road was built by German prisoners in 1945 under the direction of Royal Engineers. Because of its isolation, Little Sark inhabitants had their own form of native Norman dialect.

On Little Sark there are ruins of silver mines . Off Little Sark's south coast are located two natural swimming pools  (named Adonis Pool and Venus Pool) with waters refreshed at high tide. Island's highest elevation point is the Le Moulin windmill 114 m / 374 ft) above sea level. The windmill (built 1571) had its sails removed during WW1 (1914-1918).

Isle of Sark Shipping Company is currently operating ferries from Sark to Saint Peter Port (Guernsey Island). Ferry travel time is 45 min for the 14 km (9 ml) crossing. High-speed passenger ferry service is offered during summer months to St Helier (Jersey Island) by the French ferry company Manche Iles Express. The 12-passenger boat Lady Maris II offers regular services to St Anne (Alderney Island).

Sark Island cruise terminal