Sark

Six miles east of Guernsey and only 20 miles from the coast of France lies Sark, the smallest of the four main Channel Islands.

The island is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, but its unique history and 'olde worlde' charm have lent Sark its own distinct personality.

With no cars on the island - except tractors - and a residential population of a mere 600 people (albeit rising to 1,000 during the summer), it is easy to see how the island has earned its reputation as a 'step back in time'. This absence of vehicles creates a leisurely and relaxed pace of life, which entices visitors back to Sark year after year.

Sightseeing can be done on foot, by bike, or from a horse and carriage, with a mixture of the three perhaps best enabling visitors to experience everything that the island has to offer.

Sark lays claim to a stunning coastline, beautiful meadows and an abundance of wildflowers and sea birds.

Despite being only three miles long and a mile and a half wide, you will never be left with nothing to do. From the inlets and bays hidden along the island's coastline, to the main village with its quaint charm, or a visit across the narrow La Coupée to Little Sark, there is always something new to see or somewhere new to explore.

The island's unusual history further adds to its unique character. Until 2008, Sark was the last truly feudal state in Europe as many of the island's laws haven't been altered since 1565.

Today, Sark's main industry is tourism and it is easy to see why it is so popular given the island's excellent range of bars, restaurants, hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation.

If this wasn't enough, in 2011 Sark was named the world's first Dark Sky Island. The distinction, awarded by the International Dark Sky Association, recognises the unrivalled quality of the unpolluted night sky over the island. This unpolluted darkness has caused the island to become a haven for stargazers, drawing visitors to the island during the winter to marvel at the millions of bright stars visible with the naked eye.