Sark to offer hotel guests the most eco-friendly Christmas & New Year in the Channel Islands

CHRISTMAS ON the island of Sark is set to offer holidaymakers the "greenest" festive break in the Channel Islands – because there are no cars, no streetlights and almost zero pollution!

Local food and produce is sourced directly from the land and surrounding shores to Sark Island Hotels, enabling chefs to offer some of the most sustainable food this Christmas.

For those looking to escape for New Year, Sark is as remote as you can get. An island in the English Channel, it is three miles by one mile in size, and in distance Sark is eight miles from Guernsey and 20 miles from Normandy.

Mother nature treats visitors to Sark with the most stunning sunrises and sunsets and this Christmas you too will enjoy these glorious views. With candlelit carols, Christmas feasts, wildlife walks and amazing hotel offers, you'll have a festive island trip like no other.

Why not take a horse-drawn carriage tour or get around Sark by bike or foot and explore the pathways along The West Side Walks, which were rediscovered recently and form part of the island's ancient history? Views include a panoramic backdrop of the neighbouring Channel Islands of Guernsey, Herm and Brecqhou.

Dawn Manger, group hotel manager at Sark Island Hotels, said: "Travel a little further and enter another world. Sark is an idyllic island with virtually zero pollution and we're taking major steps towards being the greenest of all the Channel Islands.

"Enjoy our two and three-night Christmas breaks from £264, which include special festive banquets and the warmest hospitality for our guests – Christmas on Sark is a Christmas you'll never forget."

What's on offer for Sark hotel guests this Christmas?
The Aval du Creux is offering two-night Christmas breaks that include locally sourced ingredients, six-course banquets and evening cocktail receptions. Costing just £322 per person [based on two people sharing], your stay will include:

Christmas Eve mulled wine and Chef's mince pies

A variety of treats and tipples at shops in The Avenue

Christmas lights line The Avenue and candlelit carol singing starting at 5pm followed by midnight mass

Evening cocktail reception on Christmas Eve is followed by a six-course dinner for guests

Lunchtime cocktail and six-course banquet followed by games in the Red Room and festive quiz night

Island walk with the hotel managers on Boxing Day through the enchanting woods. Stop for a warm drink and lunch at a converted monastery on the way!

Take part in the Boxing Day Shoot, or hire a bicycle and come and watch our festive football game!

Cost for this two-night break: £322 per person based on two people sharing (price includes breakfast)

Sark has an old world charm feel from its 16th century history and tourists are enchanted by Sark's local transport – horse and carriage, cycling or walking. It also means keen walkers can wander around a car-free island!

This small island is accessed by short flights to Guernsey from the UK, Jersey, Alderney and France. It's then a boat trip on the Sark Island ferry –this makes Sark less than three hours from the UK. Easy to get to and hassle-free when you're here, get in the mood for a "green" Christmas on sustainable Sark!

Notes to editors:

Aurigny airline flies direct to Guernsey from London Gatwick, Luton, Southampton, Bristol, Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted in the UK. Flights to Guernsey are also from Jersey, Dinard and Grenoble (seasonal). Prices from £72 one way.

Flybe airline has 43 direct routes to Guernsey, incl. London Gatwick, Birmingham, Bordeaux and Dublin. Prices from £29.99 one way.

Blue Islands flies to Guernsey from London City, as well as Bournemouth, Bristol, Geneva, Isle of Man, Jersey, Southampton, Manchester and Zurich. Prices from Jersey cost around £37.50

Condor Ferries runs frequent passenger and car ferries to Guernsey from the UK (Weymouth, Portsmouth and Poole). Ferries from Jersey and France (St Malo) also run throughout the year. Special offers include Weymouth-Guernsey for £90 each way for a car and two passengers.

Sark's history dates back to 1565 when Helier de Carteret was granted permission by Elizabeth I to colonise the island – its population today is around 600 people.

Sark is regarded as one of the most sustainable islands in Europe. Sark Estate Management is currently undergoing a wide-ranging program that includes waste and energy reduction, use of bio-fuel, the island's own bottled water and major initiatives that will change the way recycling is carried out on the island of Sark for good.

Hotels in the Sark Island Hotels portfolio:

Aval du Creux offers an outstanding hotel experience, ideally located for shopping in the Avenue, Christmas carols and some of the finest accommodation, food and wine offered for New Year.

La Moinerie is a converted monastery and promises families a treasure island Christmas, complete with treasure chest of games, puzzles and Christmas trees in every lodge.

Hotel Petit Champ was recently awarded 2 AA Rosettes for its outstanding food and hospitality and will be open throughout the Christmas period for light refreshments and meals for walkers

Dixcart Bay Hotel is ideally situated close to Sark's new vineyards with stunning views to the English Channel. Take a woodland walk down to Dixcart Bay and enjoy nature at its finest. The period stone building is being classically restored to its former glory and is a one-time favourite of French writer Victor Hugo. The Dixcart Bay opens in Easter 2012 and is now taking bookings for weddings, vineyard tours, weekend island breaks as well as corporate entertainment.

High resolution images available immediately from:
Bernadette Costello
e: bernadette@costellomedia.co.uk