Destination in focus. The Isle of Man

The Isle of Man has been a popular tourist resort since Victorian times, and its government is going all out to attract the modern day visitor to come and see firsthand what it can offer as a holiday destination.

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The island is located in the Irish Sea off the coastlines of Lancashire, Galloway, Northern Ireland and North Wales. While the island enjoys some of the most breathtaking scenery in the British Isles and boasts a stunning 100-mile long coastline, for many travellers the Isle of Man remains undiscovered. This is a holiday gem packed with a rich heritage of Gaelic traditions and sayings which are evident everywhere you go.

The Isle of Man has an intriguing past; it is assured of a burgeoning future thanks to a forward thinking government which prides itself on proactive ‘can do’ initiatives which are attracting new and exciting industries. The island enjoys a thriving film industry – with celebrity faces commonplace – as well as very lucrative and successful airline and shipping registries which are also helping to put the island on the map.

FACT FILE

SIZE

The Isle of Man is 33 miles long, 13 miles wide and covers an area of 227 square miles.

POPULATION

76,000.

LANDSCAPE ##

It has unspoilt countryside, non crowded beaches, high hills and wooded glens. The highest point is Snaefell (2,036 feet high) which is accessible by mountain railway. The coastline can be walked on a 95-mile path, which is known by the Gaelic name of Raad ny Foillan (Road of the Gull).

HOW TO GET THERE

The island is serviced by a wide range of airlines from across the UK as well as conventional and fast ferry services by sea.

TOWNS & RESORTS

The capital is Douglas which is located on the east coast and which houses the burgeoning finance and commercial industries. Also, look out for Peel in the west, Castletown, Port Erin and Port St Marty, all in the south, Ramsey in the north and Laxey, which is also found on the east coast.

TRANSPORT

For motorists there are 600 miles of roads – drivers keep to the left and road signs are in English. Hire cars are easily available – and to park in towns you will need special parking discs which are available free of charge. The Isle of Man is remarkable for its vintage railways and trams. The Isle of Man Steam Railway runs between Douglas and Port Erin, the Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to Ramsey (via Laxey) the Snaefell Mountain Railway from Laxey to the summit of Snaefell and the Douglas horse trams along the capital’s two-mile promenade.

SPORT & ATTRACTIONS

The island boasts nine golf courses, all of which are 18-hole. The Isle of Man is a Mecca for anglers (licences are required) and ramblers and famous the world over is the annual TT (Tourist Trophy) Festival of Motorcycling in early summer. The island is proud of its rich heritage and there are several fascinating tourist attractions showcasing the 10,000 years of the island’s colourful history. Don’t miss out on the Story of Mann told at heritage sites such as the Manx Museum in Douglas, Medieval Castle Rushen in Castletown and the House of Manannan in Peel. Visitors can be transported back to ancient times to see how the ancient population lived their daily lives.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The island has a thriving arts scene and a huge focus for this is the famous Gaiety Theatre in Douglas and the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin. Throughout the year there are ongoing showcases of art and entertainment in galleries, workshops and studios actively promoted and supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

10 THINGS TO DO IN THE ISLE OF MAN

If you only have a day to spare in the Isle of Man what are the things you simply must do?

  1. Visit The House of Manannan, Peel. Sit in the Round House and enjoy the interaction between the Celts and the Vikings. New technology is used to bring to life the island’s rich heritage as well as explore its fascinating maritime traditions.

  2. Take the old horse drawn tram that will transport you along the sweep of Douglas Bay and take you back 100 years in time to a pace of life long gone.

  3. Drive out to Peel on the West Coast and wander around the castle and cathedral ruins. Enjoy the peace of the crescent shaped beach and inner and outer harbours.

  4. Bag a kipper. Moore’s Traditional Kipper Museum. See a working demonstration of how Manx kippers have been cured over oak chips since 1770.

  5. Take a ride on the scenic Snaefell Mountain Railway, which takes you to the summit of the mountain. The distance between the base camp (at Laxey Station) and the summit is almost five miles.

  6. Don’t miss out on some real Manx treats: kippers, pickle cheeses, and also the local Davison’s Ice-cream, famous the world over.

  7. The Manx waters also attract an amazing number of different species of whales and dolphins that are often visible from the shore. Look out too for Atlantic grey seals and porpoises, which also seem to love feeding close to the shoreline. Basking sharks are another regular visitor so beware!

  8. Take a trip to Rushden Abbey, the ruins of a church built by monks situated near Ballasalla. The site has been preserved by Manx National Heritage and has a special area for children, who allow them to live life a monk, build an arch and dig for artefacts.

  9. The Great Laxey Wheel and Mines Trail. Arguably the island’s best-known landmark is the Great Laxey Wheel, or the Lady Isabella, which was built in 1854 to pump water from Laxey’s zinc and lead mines. It is still the largest working water wheel in the world and, in its heyday, the wheel pumped 250 gallons of water a minute from the mines 150 below ground. Visitors can climb the steep spiral staircase to the viewing platform above the wheel and enjoy views up to the mountain and surrounding countryside.

  10. Visit the Sound Visitor Centre located on the southern tip of the island with its panoramic glass walls and amazing views of the coastline and the Calf of Man. Open all year round the centre is the ideal drop off when taking a walk along the 95-mile long coastal footpath.