It's beautiful in every way. A piece of engineering, a piece of Art and a piece of history. The…read morepaint job is immaculate, no disrepair here at all. I first tied to climb in 1974, made it to the second level and had to be brought down by a school dinner lady. Tried again yesterday 2025, made it to the second level again and was brought down by a kindly Scottish fella. Pablo climbed the spiral all the way to the top. Make sure someone is on the ground to get a picture of you because its one of the best photo ops in IOM. Gifts available at the ticket office. Walk on after to the Mine Exhibit, put on your helmet for a 30 yard walk into the mine, It was very wet inside so be prepared. This is a tourist attraction at its best.

The Great Laxey Wheel is one of the most quirky attractions you can find on the Isle of Man. On the…read moreone hand you are right - it is just a big (very big) water wheel - but honestly, even if you have seen it on pictures before you visit, you are still awed by the sheer sitze of this engineering feat of the Victorian Era. In a time when industrialization shifted from water power to steam power, a small band of engineers in the hills of Laxey resisted the changing times and started to build one of the biggest water wheels that the world had seen - and which is now the highest functioning water wheel in the world. But for what did they build it? The 22m high structure was built to pump water from the mines deep under the Snaefell Mountain and it did it for quite some time until it finally had to succumb to the bigger power - steam, and eventually the end of mining in this place. But the wheel was never dismanteled, and over the last years it was restored to old glory. So what can you see here beside of a f. big water wheel? The whole place is a Manx Heritage Sight and there is a lot information about the Wheel, the History and especially about the life of the Miners in that time. Everything is explained in great detail and especially the part about the miners is very interesting as you get deep insight into the life of miners, how dangerous the work was and what it meant to live without social security. Beside of this you can walk up to the top of the wheel and have splendid views over the surrounding area or you can explore a small mine shaft to get a better feeling what working conditions were like in this place. Yes, it is true that you can see the Wheel also from town without paying a penny for it - but the closer you get, the more impressive it is and with all the additional information and the view from the top it is well worth the money. So if you happen to be on the Isle of Man, you should make Laxey part of your itinary. The Wheel, the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the Electric Railway and an awesome tea shop give Laxey enough attractions to keep you occupied for a whole day!

Start by walking along the Promenade or Beach toward the Castle…read more Admire the broad view as it stretches and hugs the coastline. Step over to Fenella beach on the other side of the harbor and climb up a few rough steps to the pathway that circles the Castle. It's a very even path and there are great views of the ocean and rocks all around the Castle. You may even see a basking shark or the resident Dolphins. The pathway will take you round to the carpark and entrance. Now go inside, collect your audio thingy and scamper around the castle - but watch out for rabbit holes. The ruins are fantastic and there is not a bad view which ever way you turn. You will see the pathway below around the Castle. Doing inside and out with take about 1.5 hours. There are plenty of benches in the grounds for weary legs.

Next stop on our highlight tour of the Isle of Man, only an hour away from the capital Douglas, is…read morethe relaxed seaside town of Peel. One of the biggest draw cards to come here is Peel Castle. The proud remains of this stronghold dominate the harbour front and the view from the old castle walls is spectacular. The entrance to the vast grounds is through the old gatehouse. After paying 5 pounds at the ticket booth, you can explore the site on your own. An audio guide is included in the entrance fee and at various points you will find numbers that you can key into your device for a lot of interesting facts and figures. Luckily, the most famous resident of the castle Moddey Dhoo - the howling black ghost dog -was well behind bars and did not trouble the visitors, only a very friendly black cat showed up and was very keen to accompany people around the castle. So why should you come here? Well first of all, it is a great place to soak up the atmosphere, learn about the Viking heritage of the Manx island or about the early Christianization, but beside that it is also a great place to relax. We visited the castle on a bright sunny day and we walked around for nearly 2 hours sitting on the green grass, enjoying the views over the island and the Irish Sea, listening to our audio guides and chatting with other visitors. So, if you are into history and like ancient castles with a view, this place is a must on your Isle of Man tourist list.

Definitely more suited to children and teens. The videos felt old and tired and Manannon's voice…read moredreary. We were in an out in 30 mins. Good to do while waiting for Peel Castle to Open. The highlight was the Longboat that had sailed down a few years ago.

The second big Tourist Attraction in Peel is the House of Manannan. This large and detailed museum…read moreis the ideal place for a rainy day on the island - but even if the sun is shining, it is worth to come here and have a look at the very good exhibition. We came here on a sunny day and stayed much longer than intended because it was fun exploring the different rooms and stories behind the objects. The museum shows the history of the Isle of Man more or less in chronical order, but instead of using big boring signposts, the curator chose a more interesting approach. Each room depicts scenes from the life on the island. For example you can explore the interior of a Celtic roundhouse or a Viking longhouse, all with different scenes depicting everyday live. Some figures tell stories about how life was at this time and if you touch some of the exhibits there are short films about the history of the person linked to it. One of the most interesting exhibits is a real Viking ship. It was built in Norway and a crew of adventurous Norse and Manxmen sailed the ship down to the Isle of Man to commemorate the Millennium Year 1979 of the first Tynwald in 979. You can walk round the whole ship and read all about the 1500 mile journey and how the crew had to learn to live and think like real Vikings to brave the seas and overcome storms and even a capsize of the open boat. We really enjoyed our visit here and would recommend this place to anybody coming to the Isle of Man. You can learn so many new things about Celtic, Viking and Manx history and even have a lot of fun - perfect!

A very pretty shaded glen which is famous for Bluebells in spring. We visited early April and…read morethere were just a few bluebells around the edges. We visited a week later and still no change. It is now the end of April and there are more out. From the carpark on the main road you can walk down a pathway and see babbling water along the way and set your feet in it to cool down. Look out for the old wooden sculpture The Wizard of Man For those visiting by car, take the A2 main Laxey to Ramsey road. Turn right down to Maughold village on the Maughold Road then turn right down the road marked Cornaa. A large car park is provided at the bottom entrance to the glen. By Tram It has easy access from the electric tram, which stops at its top entrance. The stone buildings located within the glen were erected by the Great Mona Mining Company which operated from 1854 to 1857 and 1866 to 1867. The glen is very popular with artists and photographers.

There is a signpost. We parked in the adjacent field. Road parking not a good idea due to width…read more Its a short 300metre walk straight on from the road. you will pass a stone trough, walk straight on not left and turn the corner. There is a stone stile, hop over it and there are the stones. Magical set against a backdrop of sea and gorse.. Cashtal yn Ard, or the Castle of the Heights, is a well-preserved chambered tomb situated on raised land overlooking the parish of Maughold. The monument was originally a megalithic chambered cairn - a conical heap of stones built as a landmark - and is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind in the British Isles. The site is shrouded in mystery and mythology as the discovery of a strange arrangement of stone slabs has never been explained, though some believe it could have been used as a communal burial place for Neolithic chieftains and their families. Cashtal yn Ard dates back to around 2000 BC and although the stone cairn has been stripped away, the large firmly set stones create a dramatic burial site. Situated on raised land near the coast, the site also provides views overlooking most of the parish of Maughold and across the sea to the Lake District.

It's not a holiday without a Steam Train right. Douglas to Castletown (35 mins) on this visit…read more The train is immaculate both inside and out as are all the stations on route. The stationmasters are very chipper and clearly proud to be part of the Railway. It is lovely, steam curls round in billowing clouds as you chug along. Time is turned back for a little while. This trip was enhanced by a school party on an Evacuees day out. They were dressed in costume and looked very in place on the train.

The IOM Steam Railway was not only a must-see attraction for my one-day visit to the Isle of Man,…read moreit was also my primary means of getting around (especially after breaking a toe on the beach at Port Erin)! Embarking at Castletown station, I rode westward to the aforementioned Port Erin to climb the steps of Milner's Tower, stop for lunch at "The Station" hotel, then turned around and made my way to Douglas, in search of the real, original "Fairy Bridge" (not the imitation one on the A5 northeast of Ballasalla). My dirt cheap rail ticket (~£16-ish, I believe) covered my entire journey, both ways, taking 20-ish minutes to get from Castletown to Port Erin, and 45 minutes to cross half the island from Port Erin back to Douglas. Having ridden many trains before, the experience of a true locomotive, chugging away like an out-of-breath jogger, belching steam with each wail of the horn, as the idyllic, pastural landscape of the Isle of Man slipped by me on a perfect, clear, sunny day, I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful experience. I felt as if I had slipped back in time several decades to a simpler era, free of the burdens of modern "convenience", despite snapping away with my cell phone, taking pictures and video of everything sheep and signpost on the way! For those who find themselves on this time-lost isle, the IOM Railway is among the crown jewels of experiences one can have here. Very, very recommended for young and old alike!

Easy to find just off the A3 as you come into Laxey (before the wheel, opposite the turning for the…read moreLaxey Beach). Two sites. you can park on the road. The largest known megalithic tomb on the island lies in the garden of a private cottage. The Cairn (a conical heap of stones built as a monument or a landmark) grave is made of coloured sandstone with a forecourt of 12 metres across and 4 metres deep. It contains three chambers once filled with burials. When excavated only one burial and bowl survived. King Orry's Grave, as it is commonly known, tells something of the residents who lived on the Isle of Man during the Neolithic times over 4000 years ago. The site was built by farmers as a memorial to their ancestors. Ceremonies held on the site left traces of hearth and flint. King Orry was King Godred of Crovan a well known Manx legend. He took control of the Isle of Man and many of the islands between it and Norway, in 1079. To honour him, many monuments were named after him, but there is no connection between this historical figure and these prehistoric remains.

The near life-sized statue of Sir William is cast in bronze and is the work of local sculptor…read moreAmanda L. Barton of Kirk Michael. The statue stands on a rectangular concrete slab contained within a rectangular concrete enclosure filled with loose Manx stones. The Statue depicts Sir William wearing a heavy full-length coat/cloak the collar of which he has gripped in both hands held close to his chin. He is looking out into the bay towards the Tower of Refuge. FOUNDER OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTIUTION.

The Great Union Camera Obscura is a Victorian landmark located at Douglas Head. Built in 1887, the…read morecamera obscura comprises of a darkened room of 11 lenses and mirror which enables visitors to view the surrounding area. Enjoy a 360 degree view of Douglas Harbour, the lighthouse and seascape. The camera was originally built for astronomy but was also used for people-watching the tourists at the swimming baths or courting couples along the promenade, a popular form of Victorian entertainment. The Isle of Man's Great Union Camera Obscura is one of only 4 remaining in the British Isles. Free to visit - watch out for the Flag flying above the building which marks whether the attraction is open. Weather permitting. Open from May until mid-September, Saturdays 1pm - 4pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am - 4pm. Disabled access is limited and there is ample parking close to the attraction.

Sometimes, Mother Nature just does us all a favor. That could be said about Peel Beach, a long…read morestretch of golden sand curving along Peel Harbor from the castle, down the Shore Road promenade and Marine Parade for about a half mile. On a sunny day, it reminds me a lot of the beach towns of Blackpool, Lytham-St. Annes, and Portsmouth ... a lot of people, a lot of nice beach, a lot of touristy kiosks and ice creameries. It's a nice little jaunt and the the water's a little more warm than in other places on the Isle of Man. Would I swim in it? Mmm, that's a judgement call, but it's still chilly (andif you've got a suit on and see a 4-7 year-olds splashing around, your machismo or basic pride may not allow you to make an excuse for staying on land ). The best part is the sunset which, at least the time of year we were there, passed right down over Peel Castle.