A week on the Isle of Man

Snaefell is the highest mountain and the only summit higher than 2,000 feet (610 m) on the Isle of Man, generally noted as 2,034 feet (621 m) above sea level. At the summit, it is said one can see seven kingdoms: those of Mann, Scotland, England, Ireland, wales, Heaven and Neptune. The summit has a railway station and cafe. You Read more…

Fenella Beach is one of the two beaches in Peel separated by the breakwater and harbour, a small sheltered sandy beach within rocky cliffs and overlooked by Peel Castle. Fenella Beach takes its name from the character in Sir Walter Scott’s 1823 novel ‘Peveril of the Peak’ which was set around Peel Castle. At the entrance to the beach car Read more…

Port Erin Beach is a sheltered sandy bay beach on the south of the island protected by the high cliffs of Bradda Head. The beach offers some variety, the northern end starts off as rocks and pebbles, then the middle becomes compressed sand and pebbles, the southern end gets some protection from the harbour and here you get some great Read more…

Chapel Bay beach is within a horseshoe bay backed by a promenade and some grass areas. The beach itself is a large sandy beach with flat rocks and rockpools on either side although at high tide you don’t have access to any sand. Port St Mary is a large village in the southwest of Isle of Man. At one end Read more…

Peel Castle was built in the 11th century by the Vikings and stands on St Patrick’s Isle which is connected to Peel by a causeway. The castle was expanded and modernised to what you see today by the 7th Earl of Derby during the English Civil War. When the castle ceased to be a fortress it continued to be used Read more…

The Point of Ayre Lighthouse is an active 19th-century lighthouse that was first lit in 1818, making it the oldest operational lighthouse on the island. The lighthouse is located at the Point of Ayre at the north-eastern end of the Isle of Man and was designed and built by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of prolific writer and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. The point has shingle and gravel deposited by the Read more…

Laxey Bay beach is pebble near the promenade and then sandy as the tide goes out. The beach stretches from the river mouth and harbour to the rocky outcrops and cliffs, backed by a promenade with grassy areas. The stone harbour breakwaters are a great place for pier fishing at high tide. Laxey beach facilities include car parking, cafes and Read more…

The Shed is an award-winning Artisan beachside eatery. Located overlooking Laxey Bay, offering a wide range of freshly made locally sourced food, snacks, fresh coffee and homemade fresh cold-pressed juices. The Shed has uninterrupted sea views and is dog friendly. Read more…

Marine Drive was originally part of the Southern Electric Railway which opened in 1896 but was closed during the wars and although re-opened after WW1 it never reopened after WW2. After significant investment and work, mainly to remove the bridges and cut the road into the cliffs, Marine Drive opened in 1962 as a Douglas to Port Soderick roadway but Read more…

Maughold Church is one of the oldest churches on the Isle of Man, founded approximately 447 A.D. by Celtic St Maughold who was expelled from Ireland by St Patrick and landed on the coast here towards the end of the 5th century, bringing Christianity with him. An unanswered question in our mind when we visited is why he would have Read more…

Peel Bay Beach is the main beach of Peel, a large sandy city beach backed by a promenade. On one side you have Peel Castle and Peel Harbour whilst on the other red sandstone cliffs. The beach is a gently sloping beach and has some protection from the Peel Breakwater that also offers some good fishing opportunities. You do need Read more…

White Beach is a little-known beach often missed unless you are walking along the coast path. The beach gets its name from the countless white pebbles. To access you need to park at Niarbyl Bay Beach and walk south along the coast path, the walk has a spectacular rugged coastline with rolling grass cliff tops and rocky shoreline below. White Read more…

Niarbyl Bay is at a midpoint between Peel and Port Erin on the west coast. ‘Niarbyl’ means ‘the tail’, referring to Niarbyl’s unique tail of rocks jutting out into the Irish Sea. This is a small rocky cove under the cliffs with sand and plenty of rock pools to explore. Niarbyl Bay is a great location for birdwatching and you Read more…

Bradda Glen Cafe and Restaurant has panoramic views over Port Erin Bay, a perfect spot to relax with a coffee with homemade cake or experience lunch and evening meals. Read more…

The Maughold Head Lighthouse was built in 1914 and sits on a headland at the southern end of Ramsey Bay. The 23m high lighthouse tower, with the lighthouse keepers’ accommodation built on the headland above the tower at the same level as the lantern. A set of 127 steps links the tower to the keeper’s cottage. Read more…