iKnow North West
- Castletown, Port St Mary, Port Erin & South
- Around Douglas
- Douglas
- Laxey & East
- Peel & West
- Ramsey & North
Isle of Man Accommodation
ISABELLA: The Great Laxey Wheel, located on the Great Laxey Mining Complex: Mining is integral to
The Calf of Man and the tidal, swirling waters of the Sound in the South of the Island
Peel Castle on St Patrick's Isle to the West.
Castle Rushen in Castletown. One of the best examples of a Medieval Castle
Isle of Man trademark Victorian Promenade at Douglas
Sunday rider takes advantage of the Isle of Man TT road race circuit rising out of Douglas on the Mountain Road.Isle of Man Tourist Information TT race Douglas Castletown Manx History Airport Railway UK
The Isle of Man is renowned for it's independence, both literally with it's own independent government and with it's distinct Manx character. The island even had it's own language at one time, which is still promoted and taught in schools.
Located in the middle of the Irish Sea, yet only 83 miles from Liverpool, it's easily accessed by air or sea. The Ronaldsway Airport is located to the south just east of Castletown with ample short and long stay parking on-site. Ferries, which operate in winter, and high speed Seacats, which mainly operate in the summer months, run regularly from the mainland ports of Liverpool, Heysham, Belfast and Dublin.Isle of Man Accommodation Douglas Accommodation Douglas Hotels Back to Northwest Tourist Information
Varied Attraction of the Isle of Man
The Island is a mix of ancient heritage including it's Celtic and Viking legacy, stunning bird sanctuaries, beautiful coastal castles, central mountains, Victorian facade promenades and a grid of old tram and train links. Not to mention a stunning choice of Glens (17 in all) dotted about the island. Migratory birds including Manx shearwaters and the red-legged chough are regular visitors to the island and a project is currently underway to monitor these visitors. The Isle of Man then is a must for bird watchers!
The island, nicknamed 'The Road Racing Capital of the World', is particularly famous for it's annual TT motor cycle race. The St Johns Wood course first appeared in full in 1907, so the race has a long history and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Surrounded by the Irish Sea, just 33 miles long and 13 miles wide it makes the perfect holiday destination - beautiful beaches, fascinating architecture and you'll have no problem getting about with 688 miles of roads (driving is on the left!!).
Coach tours around the island run throughout the summer, and the bus service is excellent with budget explorer tickets available. Or why not sample the famous steam and electric railway in the Isle of Man. This Victorian transport system is the pride of the island. A trip up onto the cliff top on the Groudle Glen Railway and rides on the Orchid Line are not to be missed!. There's 24 hour opening for pubs, bars and off-licenses on the Isle of Man as well and in 2004 at the end of June the Isle of Man heralds in it's first Walking Festival. Find out all out this at www.isleofmanwalking.com
The seafood in the Isle of Man, naturally is some of the best you'll ever taste - it's rather famous for Kippers! Also a feature of the island not greatly explored is it's mining history. Mines, including Laxey, Bradda, Foxdale and Beckwiths, are dotted around the island. This is a fascinating history, involving many men coming up from mining specialist Cornwall to the Isle of Man to seek work. If you visit the Great Laxey Wheel, which pumped water from the Great Laxey mine, don't forget to tour the mine as well!
Getting to the Isle of Man
Domestic flights into Ronaldsway come from various UK Airports including Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Leeds, East Midlands, Gatwick, Glasgow and more. Check out the website for full details. Isle of Man Airport Ronaldsway Airport, Ballasalla, T: 01624 821601.
There is plenty more information on the web. These are some of the best:
www.isleofman.comSeacatTynwald(The Parliament of the Isle of Man)
Isle of Man Arts Council Manx National Heritage
Douglas - the Capital, & Onchan
If you arrive by sea to the Isle of Man, you'll arrive in the capital Douglas which doesn't disappoint in terms of entertainment and seaside fun. Renowned for it's selection of specialist shops, it splendid Victoriana fronted promenade and seaside leisure facilities such as Summerland, Douglas has the advantage of a sheltered harbour position. An excellent base for exploring the island with ample accommodation. For sports fanatics Douglas has it all with a National Sports Centre with outdoor and indoor athletics facilities accommodating also cycling, swimming with children's fun area, indoor bowls and squash courts. The amazing Manx Electric Railway which runs to Laxey and Ramsey starts here in Douglas. Or you can hook up with the magnificent steam railway which will take you to Port Erin in the south.
Theatre goers will marvel at the interior of the Gaiety Theatre, opened in 1900 and at the Manx Museum, with it's prestigious Prehistoric Archaeology Gallery which won the 'Museum of the Year' award as the best new Archaeology Gallery in the British Isles, should be your first port of call in exploring Manx history. Tourist Information Douglas - T: 01624 686766, Airport Tourist Information at Douglas, t: 01624 821600
Onchan began life as a small village, but has grown considerably offering many hotels and guest house accommodation. Kids will love Onchan Pleasure Park and there's a few golf courses round here as well! Onchan TIC, T: 01624 621228
Peel & the West
Peel on the west coast of the island has an exposed beauty which has to be seen to be believed. Start with the ruins of Peel's ancient castle and St Gorman's Cathedral on St Patrick's Isle. The oldest parts of Peel Castle date as far back as the 14th Century. Find out all about the Viking grave of the 'Lady of Peel' whose remains were uncovered in an archaeological dig.
The sandy beaches at Peel are endlessly stunning, perfect for walking and marvelling at spectacular sunsets. Smuggling and fishing feature heavily in Peel history. Don't forget to sample the famous Manx Kipper, fished here in Peel. Take time to explore the 'History of Mann' museum based in Peel harbour, with it's focus on the folklore of the island.
Peel Tourist Information, T: 01624 842341
Castletown, Port St Mary, Port Erin and the South
Castletown to the south of the island was once the capital. It's now a busy town port and like many Isle of Man towns it's dominated by an obligatory fortress called Castle Rushen. This fortress has recently been converted into a fascinating visitors centre. Visit the Castle Arms known as the Glue Pot. Castletown is renowned for specialist shopping, great pubs and restaurants and stunning walking particularly around Scarlett Point just south of Castletown.
Port St Mary, just down the southern coast from Castletown, is still a busy harbour but benefits from a safe sandy beach. Port St Mary is prime walking country with coast paths and beautiful views of Perwick Bay. There's golf, ample pubs with real ale and fine pub grub after that long walk. Port St Mary is also famous for it's frequent hosting of craft fairs!
Over to the South West at Port Erin you'll find some of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island. Take your pick from golf, coastal walks, scuba diving and pony trekking. The steam railway has it's southern base at Port Erin.
Port St Mary Tourist Information: 01624 832101, TIC Port Erin t: 01624 832298.
Laxey & the East
One of the best ways to get to Laxey is to take the Manx Electric Railway up from Douglas. The coastal views on this trip take your breath away! Laxey is also the starting point of the Snaefell Mountain Railway (Snaefell is Norse for Snowfall). This rail trip has to be taken if you're on the island. You'll be ferried up to the highest point on the island - Snaefell Mountain, on this electric railway.
Laxey of course is famous for it's humungous Victorian Water Wheel, The Lady Isabella, thought to be the largest in the world and built originally to pump water from the Laxey lead mines. It still turns and from 25-27 September 2004 the great wheel celebrates it's 150th anniversary. On the agenda is a re-enactment of the Laxey Wheel's 1854 official opening ceremony, barbeques, fairs, bands and tours of the lead mines. Not to be missed for 2004!
Ramsey & the North
Prince Albert stood on a cliff here in 'Royal' Ramsey in 1847, and apparently the locals were so chuffed they threw up a tower named rather obviously 'Albert Tower', exactly on the spot where the prince had stood! Another ridiculous landmark, looming over the area. Of more interest is the Viking history in this area. Viking warrior Godred Crovan landed here and led a battle on Sky Hill near Ramsey, resulting in about 200 years of Viking rule in the area! Archaeological digs in the area have unearthed many coins and relics.
Ramsey is the second largest town on the Isle of Man and is home to the Grove Rural Life Museum which explores the rural and agricultural history of this area, paying particular attention to the village of Andreas. Mooragh Park in Ramsey has a boating lake and extensive gardens or why not branch out further north to small villages like Bride with fascinating old churches, or move across to Kirk Michael and Ballaugh to view some of the famous Manx Crosses.
Not to be missed is the famous lighthouse, built by Robert Stephenson, at the Point of Ayre right at the northern tip of the island. Just 5 miles south of Ramsey is the stunning Dhoon Glen with it's rugged landscape and breathtaking waterfalls. You'll need your camera! Dhoon Glen is accessible by car, electric railway or regular buses.
Isle of Man TT
This motor race is world famous and has been running on the Isle of Man since 1907. A long history explored in-depth in the website below and well worth dipping into. The present course starts and finishes at Douglas, then pushes across to St Johns, inland from the west side of the island, and winds up to Kirk Michael, across to Ramsey then down through Bungalow to Douglas. The TT is an International meet with many countries participating and bringing approximately 40,000 visitors every summer.
The Wildlife Park near Sulby & Jurby Head: Between Ballaugh and Sulby you'll discover the famous Isle of Man Wildlife Park which stretches over the boggy Ballaugh Curraghs dating back to the Ice Age. At the park a variety of wildlife gathers including a variety of birds, but also Penguins, sea lions and otters.
