Isle of Man  tourist guide       

Summary
Many people who have never visited the home of the world famous TT motorbike race have little idea where the Isle of Man actually is. Lying in the Irish Sea, 60 miles west of the English coast, this tax haven of an island boasts dramatic scenery, fabulous seafood and around 26 miles of sandy beaches. Why not try a late break hotel on the Isle of Man, for a break with a difference.

Those who prefer exploring to lazing on the beach will find plenty of interesting villages and towns, and history buffs will enjoy the medieval castles, prehistoric forts, ancient burial sites and stately homes that are dotted about the place. There’s even a chance that you’ll bump into the odd A-list film star, as the low local taxes have seen in the Isle of Man become a bit of a film-making hot spot.

Getting there/getting around the Isle of Man
Most visitors board the passenger ferries which run from Liverpool, Heysham, Belfast and Dublin to the Douglas Sea Terminal on the Isle of Man. If you would prefer to fly, then you’ll be arriving at the Ronaldsway airport which is located just east of Castletown. Getting around the Isle of Man can be an absolute joy as beautiful Victorian steam trains, electric railways and horse-drawn trams still operate.

There are great local bus, taxi and hire car services too so you’re spoilt for choice really. Get yourself an Explore pass for discounted travel during your stay.

Beaches in the Isle of Man
The main beach near Castletown is long and sandy and the windy conditions make it a great place to try some windsurfing. The much-photographed Port Erin beach has golden sand and lots of rocky inlets to explore. It’s a great place from which to start a walk up to Bradda Head too.

The historic fishing port of Peel has two beaches which can get a bit busy at times. The main stretch of sand has many nearby cafes which serve delicious Manx kippers. If you’re not that fussed about sunbathing but just want somewhere to sit by the sea and totally unwind then Niarbyl is lovely. It’s a small rocky cove and you can sit on the cliffs and watch the world go by.

Isle of Man visitor attractions        

Sightseeing in the Isle of Man
Explore the coastline and take in the picturesque towns of Port St Mary, Port Erin, Ramsey, Castletown and Onchen. One of the prettiest harbour towns is Peel on the west coast and Peel Castle dates from the 11th century. It sits strikingly on St Patrick's Island, joined to Peel by a causeway.

Laxey’s also a picturesque place and home to the Laxey Wheel overlooking the village. Built in 1854 to pump water from a mine, it’s reputedly the world's biggest water wheel and measures 22m.

The capital, Douglas, isn’t much to look at but it does retain a little of its Victorian charm. It also has a great choice restaurants and wine bars, new shopping facilities and attractive waterside pubs and cafes.

Family attractions in the Isle of Man
There are plenty of choices. Visit Castletown's Nautical Museum for tales of smuggling, the Craftworks Studio in scenic Silverdale Glen where kids can paint and decorate ceramics, or enjoy a mountain tram ride to Snaefell Mountain for stunning views.

Young wildlife lovers will enjoy Curraghs Wildlife Park which is home to 100 species of birds and animals. If your kids are adventurous, Discover Diving based in Ballasalla offers snorkelling to the over-eights and diving to anyone over the age of 12. Alternatively, Onchan Pleasure Park has different rides and attractions while Mooragh Park has a boating lake and children's playground.

Day trips from the Isle of Man
This is an island after all, so why not take to the water. The summer is the perfect time of year to see one of the islands most exciting annual visitors, the basking shark. These beautiful creatures can be spotted feeding in the cooler waters of the Irish Sea before they head south for the winter.Many can be seen from land as they venture extremely close to the shore. However, the best views are often from a boat, so book yourself a tour.

Alternatively, visit the Calf of Man on the island's south west tip. Boats depart daily from Port Erin during the summer, enabling visitors to spend several hours on the bird sanctuary.

Isle of Man shopping, restaurants and nightlife        

Shopping in the Isle of Man
Most of your shopping will most certainly be done in the Douglas, where you’ll find all the well-know High Street names such as M&S, Boots and Woolworths. There’s not much in the way of designer label goods.

There are many interesting local goods that you can purchase in souvenir shops all over the island including Manx kippers, printed TT shirts and loghtan sheep products.

Restaurants in the Isle of Man
The highest concentration of good restaurants is found in Douglas but there are many other good places, pubs and even top picnic spots dotted around the island. Seafood lovers will be in heaven as Manx kippers, fresh crab, Manx lobster and queenies (similar to a small scallop) are local specialties and appear on menus everywhere.

Other tasty local dishes that shouldn’t be missed include Manx lamb, strong cheeses, blueberry pie, ice cream and locally-brewed and distilled beers and spirits.

Nightlife in the Isle of Man
Don’t come to the Isle of Man for a hedonistic weekend of 24-hour partying. There are clubs in Douglas and some of the other bigger towns, but this is more a destination for those who enjoy the pub scene.

If you consider yourself a more cultured sort, then Port Erin's Erin Arts Centre shows films, stages operas, hosts exhibitions and hosts a series of festivals throughout the year. If you fancy a film on a rainy night, there's a cinema on Central Promenade, Douglas, showing new releases.