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Our Dear Channel Islands
These small islands in the English Channel may be Crown Dependencies, but they have always been proud of their distinct identities, which continue to provide creative inspiration for some of the most iconic writers of past and present.
Sark
Sark may be one of the smallest Channel Islands but it doesn’t make it any the less mighty. Car-free roads, breathtaking scenery, and a warm and welcoming charm have earned it a reputation as the jewel of the Channel Islands. Craggy sea caves are an oasis for adventurers and remind us of its pirate history, while it is famed as the first island community to gain Dark Sky Island status.
Here, the Seigneur of Sark, a position held by Christopher Beaumont, 23rd Seigneur of Sark, performs the function of Civic Head of Sark, presiding over internal affairs and representing the island to wider audiences. The ‘Window in the Rock’ is heralded as one of the best places to take photographs of the beautiful bay below, despite its steep and dangerous drop below.
Famous Harry Potter author JK Rowling recently enjoyed a secret visit to Sark, sparking speculation that the island may be the setting for her latest Cormoran Strike novel, written under her pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
Sark may be one of the smallest Channel Islands but it doesn’t make it any the less mighty
Alderney
Heralded as an island of outstanding natural beauty, sister island Alderney offers visitors a slower pace of life than its neighbors. Just one and a half miles wide and three and a half miles long with rich countryside, the stunning empty sandy beaches are home to puffins, gannets, and the island’s famous Blonde Hedgehog. Here, all political duties are undertaken by the President of Alderney, who is elected for a four-year term and is also the Chairman of the States of Alderney. Alderney’s charm and strong sense of community inspired the setting for a recent film called ‘On the Line’, directed by Oliver Pearn. The thriller, set on the island in 1964, centers on the dramatic experiences of telephone operator Agnes and is gaining widespread acclaim both in the UK and across the Atlantic.
Alderney’s charm and strong sense of community inspired the setting for a recent film ‘On the Line’
Herm
The baby of the bunch, at just 1.5 miles long, Herm is a mecca for nature lovers and those who like a slower pace of life. With a population of just 65, its most famous inhabitants are the puffins breeding on its cliffs, famed for being Europe’s most southerly colony. Neolithic structures, castles, and fortifications give a hint of Herm’s rich heritage and bygone eras of smugglers, settlers, and soldiers.
