An Isle of Man short break makes for the perfect UK weekend away, or even a week, without travelling too far from home. If you take a trip across the water and visit one of Britain’s islands then it sort of feels like you’ve gone overseas anyway.
The first of my Isle of Man short breaks showed me that this little island in the Irish Sea is the perfect destination for a UK staycation. And that it’s not just for TT petrol heads. There are loads of great things to do on the Isle of Man that don’t involve burning rubber.
Where is the Isle of Man
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The Isle of Man, Mann, or Manx as it is also known, lies in the Irish Sea about 80 miles north-west of Liverpool. It’s tiny – just 52km long and 22km at its widest point which means it’s easy to explore in a weekend.
Snaefell, which means ‘snow mountain’ in Norse, is the highest point on the island at 620 metres. An old saying goes that you can see six kingdoms from the summit; Mann, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Heaven.
Although it’s part of the British Isles Manx is a self-governing kingdom that belongs to neither the UK or the EU. The Queen is head of State.
How to get to the Isle of Man
Trips to the Isle of Man can be taken by plane or ferry.
Ferries to the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man Steam Packet offer sailings from English ports Liverpool and Heysham in the Northwest or from Belfast and Dublin in Ireland. You can also sail from Larne in Northern Ireland during the Isle of Man TT.
Sailings are on board the catamaran ‘Manannan’ (2hrs 45mins) for foot passengers or the slower ferry ‘Ben My Chree’ (3.5 hrs) if you want to bring a vehicle. All sailings to the island dock in Douglas at the Isle of Man Sea Terminal.
Flights to the Isle of Man
By air there are options from most UK and Irish airports except London Heathrow. Ronaldsway airport is in the south near to Castletown which is around 20 minutes from Douglas by taxi or around half an hour by public transport.
Airlines serving the Isle of Man
Airlines serving the Isle of Man are Aer Lingus (Dublin), British Airways (London City), EasyJet (Gatwick, Liverpool, Bristol and Belfast City) and Loganair (Edinburgh) who offer direct scheduled flights from 10 airports in the UK and Ireland. Most of these routes operate year-round with flights from London (City and Gatwick), Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Dublin which are practical for transfers from European and other worldwide flights.
UK regional airports ensure direct air travel from most parts of Great Britain including London Luton and Newcastle. Loganair provides a route from Edinburgh, Scotland, and frequent flights from Belfast City ensure easy accessibility from Northern Ireland.
How to get around on the Isle of Man
For island trips like this I recommend hiring a car which will give you the freedom to explore the Isle of Man at your own pace and visit all the gorgeous spots that you might have normally missed without transportation. There are some gorgeous viewpoints from the top of the island with sweeping views.
The roads are good and driving is on the left-hand side. You’ll find during the TT races that some of the roads are shut for racing.
Isle of Man public transport
Buses run every 20 minutes between The Airport and Douglas, and continue along the promenade so most of the hotels have a stop nearby. There is also a bus which goes from the Airport across to Peel.
The bus network on the Island is owned and operated by the Island’s Government and is comprehensive. A good “round robin” route is the Douglas 5/6 to Peel, the same route from Peel to Ramsey, and return to Douglas by 3.
Douglas is also the departure point for the steam railway to Castletown (the Island’s ancient capital) and Port Erin, and the vintage Manx Electric Railway to Ramsey which connects at Laxey with the equally quirky and historic Snaefell Mountain Railway.
For Isle of Man public transport there are unlimited travel passes that cover buses only, or all the buses and railways which you can buy at the Airport.
Where to stay on the Isle of Man
Port Douglas is the capital of the island with the most accommodation. If you’re using public transport then Port Douglas is the best place to base yourself. If you’ve got transport or are hiring a car then the island is easy to drive around and you can base yourself wherever you’d like.
A good tip is to find accommodation towards the halfway point of the island so neither end is too far away.
For our Isle of Man short breaks we stay with friends in Kirk Michael but there are plenty of hotel and guest house options all around the island.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
I use this site myself and find it very competitive and also like that you can cancel up to 24 hours beforehand.
So now the practicalities are out of the way let’s get on to the fun part and the best things to do on the Isle of Man.
Things to do on the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is probably most famous for hosting the TT (tourist trophy) motorcycle races and, before my visit, that was the extent of my Manx knowledge.
When I arrived for our first weekend break on the Isle of Man I found a rugged beauty and a vibrantly green land dotted with ancient castles, towers and stone circles. Here are some of my favourite things to do on the Isle of Man.
Explore the Isle of Man Beaches
If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air you’ll love Isle of Man short breaks. There are 95 miles of gorgeous coastline which range from craggy cliffs and rugged scenery to wide beaches with swathes of soft white sand, grass edged sand dunes and pebbled coves. You’ll get your blast of salty air on one of the many coastal walks.
Exploring the beaches was one of my favourite things to do on the Isle of Man. I think you’ll see why…
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
The Isle of Man’s beaches vary in character. Douglas Bay and Kirk Michael are both wide sandy beaches. Kirk Michael and Peel beaches are great spots to watch a glowing sunset.
There are two beaches in Peel both sheltered by hills. And there’s Fenella, a small sandy beach, towered over by the imposing Peel Castle. Horseshoe shaped Castletown Bay (below) is sandy and good for wind-surfing and sailing.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
Castletown Bay, Isle of Man
More UK short break inspiration
A Weekend Break in St Ives, Cornwall • A Weekend Break in Suffolk • A Weekend Break in Rye, East Sussex • A Seaside Break in Sunny Eastbourne • UK staycation inspiration
Port Erin in the south of the island (below) is lined with Victorian houses and has a wide sandy bay with rocky inlets and a lighthouse on the sand. It’s bordered by a 400ft high headland and you can hike up Bradda Head to Milner Tower. There are many more beaches on the Isle of Man but I’ll leave you to discover them for yourself.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
Port Erin Beach, Isle of Man
Castletown
Castletown is one of the oldest towns in the British Isles and the former capital of the Isle of Man. The cobbled harbour is lined with fisherman’s cottages and you can walk out on the arm to the town’s two lighthouses.
There’s a nice little pub with a garden overlooking the harbour. I’d recommend pootling around the town for an hour or two and exploring the castle and the harbourside.
Rushen Castle
The highlight is Rushen Castle built from limestone in 1265 and is one of the world’s best-preserved fortresses. Head up to the ramparts for epic views across the town and coastline. If you’ve got kids they’ll love exploring the dungeons. Check Castle Rushen website for opening days and times. Entry costs £8.
Spot the Wildlife
Basking sharks, dolphins and seals can be spotted around the southern shores of the island and the Calf of Man. The Point of Ayre, the northernmost tip of the island, is home to Ayres National Nature Reserve. A visit to the point is one of my favourite things to do on the Isle of Man.
Many ground nesting birds, Oystercatchers, Arctic Terns and other declining rare breeds nest on the upper beach. Areas are cordoned off during nesting season but there are parts of the beach which are still accessible for a walk in the dunes – so long as you’re not disturbing any nesting birds.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
Hares are common and we spotted a few bounding through the fields. Wild wallabies (yes, you read that right) can be seen in the Curragh in the north of the island. There are over a hundred which originate from a pair that escaped from a wildlife park back in the 1970s. Find them at Close Sartfield nature reserve.
Isle of Man Lighthouses
I love a lighthouse. Maybe it’s because I’ve always lived by the sea or perhaps because they’re so photogenic. On the Isle of Man I was in my element because there are seven lighthouses around the coast. The Point of Ayre lighthouse, which was first lit back in 1818, is the oldest working lighthouse on the island.
I liked his little brother, ‘winkie’ (above) which is no longer in use – don’t you think it would make a fabulous holiday rental or cafe? The pair of lighthouses in Castletown on each side of the harbour are pretty photogenic too.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
Waterfalls and Glens
A glen is a long deep valley often with a stream running through it and sometimes ending on a small beach or cove. The Isle of Man has 17 national glens and a few more besides. If you love getting outdoors in nature this is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Man.
We visited the enchanting Dhoon Glen which is home to the highest waterfall on the island. We hiked down leafy woodland paths, under little stone bridges, past the remains of old mills and down steep little steps following alongside the water-course. I’m sure there were fairies hiding in there.
The entrance to the glen is next to Dhoon Glen station on the electric railway so you could travel there by train or there’s a small car park opposite the station if you’re driving. Take a picnic and have lunch on the little beach at the bottom.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
The Calf of Man
At the most southerly point of the Island you’ll find the Calf of Man which is a tiddly tiny island. The Calf Sound is the channel of water running between the two and has a powerful eddying current. I’m sure it would take you away if you tried to swim the channel.
The Calf is a national bird sanctuary and there are basic facilities for a handful of visitors to stay seasonally on for birdwatching. We were happy just to hike around the headland and take in the stunning views and lungfuls of fresh sea air.
We soon worked up an appetite and headed for the new Sound Café for coffee, carrot cake and spectacular views. The state of the art cafe has huge windows for taking in the views.
Feast on Isle of Man Queenies
So, what’s a queenie? Isle of Man queenies are small, deliciously sweet queen scallops that thrive in the waters around Mann. Manx queenies are sustainably caught meaning the stocks around the island are some of the highest in Europe. They’re absolutely delicious.
We enjoyed queenies at 14 North a great little restaurant in Douglas which serves up tasty, locally sourced food. Filbey’s restaurant on the quayside in Peel also serves up excellent food with views of the harbour.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
Isle of Man Trains and Trams
If you’re into vintage travel you’ll be in heaven here. The Isle of Man has some of the best heritage railways in the British Isles. I really love a little jaunt on an old steam train and judging by the excitement on people’s faces it seems a vintage journey brings out the inner child in most of us.
The Manx Electric Railway
Manx Electric Railway runs from Douglas to Ramsey in the north-east and it’s the longest narrow-gauge vintage railway in the UK running for 17-miles along the gorgeous east coast and through glorious countryside.
The railway still uses much of the original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock and has been running since 1893. There are dozens of stops along the line including many Isle of Man highlights.
The Isle of Man Steam Railway
The Isle of Man Steam Railway will take you on a journey of pure nostalgia. The Victorian station at Douglas will get you in the mood for the fifteen-mile journey using original locomotives dating back as far as 1873 on a narrow-gauge 3ft wide track.
The route takes you whistling through the countryside to the seaside town of Port Erin where you can drop by the railway museum. But not before you’ve bought an ice cream.
Snaefell Mountain Railway
The Snaefell Mountain Railway was built in 1895 and its six original tram cars climb the 1-in-12 gradient to the 2036 ft Snaefel summit. On a clear day there are breathtaking views of the island’s largest glacial valley, Sulby reservoir and north to Jurby and the Point of Ayre. I won’t share a photo because the day we went it was shrouded in fog and we couldn’t see more than six feet in front of us.
Hop on at Laxey Station or from the Bungalow on the TT Course. At the peak pop into the Summit Café for tea and cake to bolster you for the hike back down to the Bungalow. The tram goes to and from the Bungalow to Laxey if you’re not driving.
Visit the Laxey Wheel
The Laxey Wheel, known as Lady Isabella, is one of the top attractions on the Isle of Man. The giant, red waterwheel sits above Laxey village and is the largest working waterwheel in the world.
The wheel served the mine for 70 years which you can visit. Climb to the top of the wheel for views across Glen Mooar Valley and over the pretty row of houses in the village.
Niarbyl, Isle of Man
Niarbyl, which means ‘the tail’ in Manx, is a rugged, rocky beach overlooked by Niarbyl café. Go there for great fish and chips or crab salad in the summer. The craggy beach is great for rockpooling if you’ve got kids and you’ll find all sorts of little sea creatures in the pools.
The film Waking Ned was set in Niarbyl and you’ll find Ned’s little white cottage nearby.
Check rates and availability for Isle of Man accommodation here.
Ready for your trip to the Isle of Man? Use my tried and tested travel tools for sites and brands that I consistently use myself and am happy to recommend…
- Plan your trip to the Isle of Man with these maps and guide books
- Get the best deals on flights with Skyscanner
- Find the perfect place to stay on Booking.com
- For car hire we like to compare prices at RentalCars Connect
- And, finally, please don’t forget to protect you and your trip with travel insurance
Have you been to the Isle of Man – any more tips to add to these?
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Suzanne Jones is a full-time travel blogger and writer at The Travelbunny website which she started in 2011 during her time as a professional travel planner. This serial traveller enjoys exploring new destinations, culinary encounters and the outdoors. When she’s not indulging her wanderlust or writing about her adventures you’ll most likely find Suzanne, camera in hand, enjoying coastal walks on England’s South Coast.
Suzanne also runs Hello Sussex a website which showcases the best of East & West Sussex. Read more about Suzanne here…
Praskoviya Borisova
Friday 22nd of October 2021
You have shared some cool places to visit in the Isle of man. Waterfalls and Glens are looking worth visiting a place from the list. Bookmarked for future reference.
Honor White
Sunday 15th of August 2021
How easy is it to get around the island without a car? What is public transport like for getting to and seeing some of the interesting places that you featured in you article? Thanks for the article by the way….hadn’t thought of visiting The Isle of Man before, quite keen to now though!
Suzanne Jones
Monday 16th of August 2021
If you're staying in Douglas public transport is good. Buses run every 20 minutes between The Airport and Douglas, and run along the promenade which means most of the hotels have a stop nearby. There is also a bus which goes from the Airport across to Peel. Get a 3-day explorer GO card, at £32 each. You can use it on the horse tram, buses, railways. Otherwise maybe think about hiring a car.
Char | Taylor Hearts Travel
Monday 26th of September 2016
What a cute place! I'm currently researching a trip to Ireland and I did pause when my mouse hovered over the Isle of Man. I didn't really know much about this place until I read your post. Looks gorgeous. Any chance you could guarantee that weather for me please?!
Suzanne Jones
Tuesday 27th of September 2016
We'll be going back next year - so much that we didn't see and do. As for the weather....!
Becky Padmore
Thursday 11th of August 2016
I've heard many good things about the Isle of Man - maybe it's time to add it to the list! Beautiful photos by the way!
Suzanne Jones
Thursday 11th of August 2016
It's gorgeous there but it helps to have good weather like we did!
Liz Lloyd
Sunday 10th of July 2016
You've been incredibly lucky with the weather. It always pours when I go there. If there is a wet day, I can recommend the marvellous Museum in Douglas or shopping at St John's. On a sunny day you can explore the beach at Port St Mary and find hundreds of tiny bright yellow and orange shells.
Suzanne Jones
Sunday 10th of July 2016
Thanks for the tips Liz - great to know what to do on a rainy day if I'm not so lucky with the weather next time!