The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea lying between Great Britain and Ireland.
This island offers stunning landscapes, unspoilt beaches on a very long and beautiful coastline making it a perfect holiday destination whoever you are. There is a wealth of history to explore and wonderful places to see from slow and sleepy tourism to action packed adventure!
Whether it's water sports, mountain climbing, biking, walking the coastal paths, watching the wildlife, quad biking or spending a day in the museums and art galleries you'll find exactly what you want to do.
The heritage of this island is varied and dates back more than 10 000 years allowing you to discover the ancient castles, forts and mounds, waterwheels and mines and follow in the steps of missionaries and the Vikings!
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Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:
Want some ideas on where to visit?
Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:
- 30th May 2020-12th June 2020The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is run in a time-trial format on public roads closed to the public. The first Isle of Man TT race was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and has since been held most years.The schedule will see a week of practices starting on Saturday 30th May to the Friday 5th of June.The first race day will be Saturday 6th June and sees the first three-lap sidecar race and the Superbike TT race.This “Superbike Saturday” is followed by the traditional “Mad Sunday” for fans to have their own ride around the Course.Races resume on Monday, Wednesday and the big day is Friday for the second sidecar race and the concluding Senior race.* Please note that race dates are subject to change or cancellation by event organisers at short notice.
- The Calf of Man Nature Reserve and Bird Observatory is maintained by the Manx Museum and National Trust (MMNT), with Wardens resident on the Island from spring to late autumn. The traditional style 1870’s farmhouse incorporating the Observatory is also a hostel that can be pre-booked for up to eight guests. Visitors need to bring their own food supplies and a sleeping bag. The Calf of Man Island is accessed by small boat operators running return trips from Port St Mary and Port Erin. Sailings are subject to suitable weather conditions, tide and the availability of the boatmen. The Calf of Man image: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © David Dixon – geograph.org.uk/p/3891922
- Ramsey lifeboat station was established in the late 1820s and now has an offshore lifeboat. The station is open Monday to Friday and an RNLI shop can be found in the town.
- The Manx Museum represents Isle of Man’s 10,000 year history and is depicted through film, galleries and interactive displays. The Island has a very interesting Viking, Celtic past and the more recent internment camps during the World War II and the world-famous TT races. The museum also has a cafe and shop.
- Rushen Abbey was founded in 1134 and is now a heritage centre (part of the ‘Story of Mann’) with a building containing artifacts and telling the history of Rushen Abbey and the surrounding area.
- Port Erin lifeboat station was established in 1884 and now operates an inshore lifeboat. The station is open daily, shop Easter to October.
- The Gaiety Theatre in Douglas is located on the Douglas promenade overlooking the sea. The theatre was built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham as an opera house and theatre.
- Castle Rushen is located in the Isle of Man’s historic capital, Castletown, in the south of the island, and is one of the best examples of a medieval castle in the British Isles. Today, it is run as a museum depicting the history of the Kings and Lords of Mann with most rooms open to the public during the season March to October.
- 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. Maughold Head Lighthouse image: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © Neil Theasby – geograph.org.uk/p/4872136
- The Langness Lighthouse was established in 1880 at Dreswick Point on the eastern side. The lighthouse has a white tower 19 metres high and incorporates 77 steps to the top of the tower. Langness Lighthouse image: cc-by-sa/2.0 – © Phil Catterall – geograph.org.uk/p/490651
- Gansey Bay is a sandy beach backed by rocks and a sea wall and when the tide is high most of the beach disappears and all you have is a few rocks. Limited parking on the road, slipway and pub/hotel at one end of the beach.
- Douglas Central beach is a sandy beach in the heart of the town. Facilities: parking, toilets, shops, cafe, restaurants. We have no dog information.
- The Old House of Keys is the former meeting place of the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s parliament. It is located across the street from Castle Rushen in Castletown, the former capital of the Isle of Man, in the south of the island. The building is now a museum and has been restored to its appearance in 1866, which was chosen as it was when the ‘House of Keys Election Bill’ was passed, making the House of Keys an elected body.
