Our Island

Castletown is where you will find King William’s College and The Buchan School. The ancient capital of Mann until 1869 is made up of small winding streets, picturesque fishing cottages along the harbour and is home to Castle Rushen, one of the best preserved medieval castles in the world.

There are various cafes and restaurants, shops, parks and a beach and is only a 10 minute walk from the grounds of King William’s College.

Picturesque Port Erin Beach is situated in the southwest of the Island. The beach sits in a sheltered bay bordered by the tall cliffs of Bradda Head to the north. Its soft golden-white sand means Port Erin Beach is a firm family favourite and popular for watersports. The west facing beach has stunning sunsets and views to the Irish coast & the Mountains of Mourne in the distance. Looking up from the beach to the top of Bradda Head you can see the key-shaped Milner’s Tower, built in 1871 in memory of local philanthropist and locksmith William Milner.

Douglas is the capital of the Isle of Man and situated on the east side of the island. Here you will find the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, where you will arrive to if travelled by ferry. The City of Douglas has many bars, restaurants, the Gaiety Theatre and the Villa Marina for entertainment, shops, local amenities and parks.

Peel, often referred as “sunset city, is on the west of the island and is the island’s main fishing port. Boasting some of the best seafood on the island, museums and family friendly beaches, you can also visit one of Europe’s best preserved Medieval castles. Find out how the Kings and Lords of Mann lived or follow in the footsteps of Christian missionaries and Viking warriors at Peel Castle.

Groudle Glen lies 2 miles north of Douglas on the coast road to Laxey. The island boasts over 18 mountain and coastal glens. Their semi-natural state and unrivalled beauty has been preserved and makes them some of the beautiful walks in the British Isles.

‘The Drinking Dragon’ is an astonishing rock formation situated at the southeast corner of the Calf of Man. Known also as ‘the Burroo’, which is Manx for ‘the Berg’,  this spectacular formation resembles a dragon drinking from the sea and is a must see when you take a boat trip our to the Calf of Man.

Laxey or in Manx ‘Laksaa’, is situated on the east coast 8 miles north of Douglas. Its name derives from the Old Norse ‘Laxa’ meaning ‘Salmon’. Laxey is home to the The Lady Isabella, the largest water wheel in the world and it served the mine for 70 years and became the Island’s most dramatic tourist attraction. This feat of Victorian engineering and ingenuity is the largest surviving waterwheel of its kind in the world.

The Raad ny Foillan, Manx Gaelic for ‘Way of the Gull’, is a coastal footpath that covers the entire island. At almost 100 miles in length, it showcases some of the most beautiful spots on the island. Explore some of the best coastal walking in the British Isles on cliff footpaths, quiet sandy beaches, wooded glens and farmland as you travel through a whole variety of landscapes.

Ramsey is the main town in the north of the island. It boasts an extensive sandy beach, a high street known for its small independent boutiques and novelty gift shops, Mooragh Park and is one of the top places for watching the IOM TT races.

A trip to Tynwald Hill, one of the Island’s most distinctive landmarks, will provide insight into the Island’s strong identity. As a signal of the Isle of Man’s independence as a self-governing crown dependency, the four-tired hill is thought to be made with soil from all of the Island’s 17 ancient parishes.

If you appreciate magnificent architecture, the Gaiety Theatre is a prestigious venue located in central Douglas. Built in 1899, the theatre is steeped in history and tradition and is one of the finest examples of work from architect, Frank Matcham.