The bizarre American island where they speak ‘Elizabethan English’ with no chain stores or commercial flights

THERE are a few villages in the UK that give an insight into old England, let alone destinations from across the pond. There’s a city in North Carolina that has a hint of British about it as they speak “Elizabethan English”. Ocracoke Island has a huge island and is home to around 700 people Credit: Alamy There are no chain shops, restaurants or bars in the area Credit: Alamy Ocracoke is a village on Ocracoke Island, part of North Carolina’s coastal Outer Banks region. It’s a 16-mile long barrier island – which is a long long sand ridge parallel to the mainland coast, separated by a shallow body of water like a bay or lagoon. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! The island, considered the ‘Pearl of the Outer Banks’ is home to around 800 people of whom who have their own unique way of speaking. One visitor described the locals’ accent as being “Elizabethan English”. Brian Carlton told the BBC: “People here just have their own way of speaking: it’s like someone took Elizabethan English, sprinkled in some Irish tones and 1700s Scottish accents, then mixed it all up with pirate slang.” He even made a remark about being called a “dingbatter”. The dialect is called ‘Hoi Toider’, which is a rare mix of English, Irish, and Scottish accents mixed with early maritime slang. It’s almost only spoken on the Outer Banks islands in North Carolina. Most read in Travel Residents all live in the central Ocracoke Village which is also where visitors will find shops, restaurants and bars – but none that you would have seen before. It has strict regulations about preserving its small town charm, so only independent, regional brands are allowed. The 16-mile long island has lots of beach which is considered the ‘Pearl of the Outer Banks’ Credit: Getty Every shop, hotel, and restaurant on the island is locally owned and operated. Standing high in the town is its 75ft tall lighthouse which is the oldest operating light station in North Carolina. Being an island, there are lots of beaches along a 16-mile stretch – one called Ocracoke Village Beach is one is just beyond the main town. On Tripadvisor, one visitor called it the “Best Beach on the Outer Banks” Another said: “Beautiful beaches on Ocracoke and always special. When you look around you on the beaches, you see and feel peace.” Along the shore, a second beach is South Point which is a popular fishing spot and where visitors are likely to find a a Scotch Bonnet which is the rare state shell of North Carolina. The island has rich history too as it was once a popular hideout spot for notorious pirate, Blackbeard. The shallow waters around the island provided ideal cover and Ocracoke Inlet allowed him to trap merchant ships. Another beach is where you can find the rare North Carolina shell Credit: Getty The best way to reach the island is by ferry or private plane Credit: Getty Ocracoke Island was actually the site of Blackbeard’s final battle in the 1700s. The best way to get to the island now is also by ship, but luckily, it’s much safer. The most frequent is the Hatteras Ferry which takes around two hours and it’s completely free. Others involve getting a ferry from Cedar Island of the Swan Quarter. For those wanting to fly, the airport is so small there aren’t any commercial flights. Instead travellers will have to charter a flight, or arrive in their own plane. Comment now