Sark is spectacular in both its scenery and its simplicity.
Its tranquil beauty by day is unmarred by cars and tarmac roads, whilst the exceptional blackness of the night skies makes for spectacular stargazing and has recently made Sark the world’s first dark sky island.
The island is 3 miles long by 1.5 miles wide with approximately 500 residents, which increases during the summer months when visitors arrive to spend their holidays and enjoy the beauty, safety, peace and tranquillity.
Sark is situated about 9 miles east of Guernsey and 12 miles north of Jersey with access only permissible by boat. There are regular ferries to Guernsey, and a seasonal service to Jersey, where there are international airports. Fast charter boats accommodating up to 12 passengers are also available for those arriving or departing via Guernsey, Jersey or France. The flight time from Guernsey to London Gatwick is about 50 minutes by plane.
Sark governs its own affairs through ‘Chief Pleas’– the island’s parliament–setting its own taxes and local legislation. Transport on Sark is restricted to the horse and carriage and the bicycle. Tractors are, however, permitted by licence for general farm and building work, carting of goods from the harbour, and personal transport of goods by arrangement. Everyday shopping facilities are available on Sark and there is a choice of restaurants, cafes, public houses and tourist accommodation types to suit all tastes and budgets, ranging from hotels to camping facilities.
In 1565 the fiefdom of Sark was granted to Helier de Carteret and the island was split into 40 tenements as Elizabeth I had requested 40 soldiers at time of war against the French; each tenement had a dwelling house, sea access and arable land. Some smaller parcels of land, termed as ‘freeholds’, were later split off from the tenements until 1611 when this was prohibited. This has meant that up until 2021, there were 40 tenements and 42 ‘freeholds’. Since land reform legislation was enacted in 2021, further ‘freeholds’ have been separated from existing tenements or ‘freeholds’; these and tenements themselves do become available to purchase through Sark Estate Agents, from time to time.
You will also note that properties listed on this website are classified as ‘open’ or ‘local’ market; any potential Sark resident would automatically have the right to purchase or rent an ‘open’ market property, but ‘local’ market rental properties are restricted by specific criteria including a residency of Sark for 15 years or more.
Sark is welcoming, friendly and relaxed and we invite you to visit us to discover the unique charm and character of this island for yourself. We are happy to help with accommodation during your visit and will be pleased to meet you when you arrive as well as personally conducting all property viewings during your stay. We understand that moving to Sark is likely to be a major event in your life and will help you in any way that we can.
English speaking and sterling based; Sark offers residents a safe, high quality of life with few personal restrictions. Sark does not levy any income tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax or value added tax on its residents. It does, however, levy a property tax on each property and a personal tax on each resident who has a property available to them for 91 nights a year, based on a ‘forfait’ system. Within this system, which has a maximum tax of a little under £11,000 per annum payable by any one individual, there are options for additional residents to pay the minimum amount if applicable.
For further tourist information and pictures please view the Sark tourism website, which includes a link to the Sark government website. Details of Guernsey to Sark boat times can be viewed at the Isle of Sark Shipping website.
For further information, please contact Sark Estate Agents Ltd who will be pleased to answer any queries.
