Isle of man tips?

shark_DB

Hello

After watching a few travel programs wehave decided that we would like to visit the isle of man while thechildren are still young, (4&6yrs). I had hoped to pick upsomething from the sun/mail cheep holidays but it looks like the Isleof man is not listed. So does any one have any MSE advice foraccommodation or places to visit, we are looking for July/August fora week.

Having looked at the travel options Ithink train/ferry then ranger ticket on the island works out best toget there, plus I don’t have to drive for a week, as opposed todriving or flights so I would guess staying in Douglass would be agood idea.

Many thanks for looking

hxm

I agree, you don't need a car as there is a good public transport system, and if you stay in Douglas you can easily get to everywhere else. Your children will probably enjoy the trams, the steam train, the Snaefell Mountain Railway and the horse drawn trams. Also, you're never far from a beach.

The Steam Packet is incredibly cheap for foot passengers. There isn't really anything in the way of cheap accommodation, at least I couldn't find anything and I looked pretty hard a couple of years ago.

charlearose

I've stayed at the Palace hotel several time and its ok, has a nice swimming pool and its right on the sea front so you can walk into Douglas there are also plenty of sea front apartments that you cant rent if you want self catering

hire car is quite cheap though so i might be an option to hire a car if only for a few days

955tiger

The isle of man is a stunning place & really fun for the family, the steam packet are good on fares for foot passengers leaving from liverpool or heysham but they are the only company that sail there so they charge what they want sometimes.



Douglas is a great place to base yourself as public transport is very good but personally I would either hire a car or take my own as there is some out of the way places that are well worth a look.
Places to visit
peel
ramsey
laxey
nairbyl
calf of man
port erin & go hire a canoe
bungalow crossing
marine drive
horse riding at little london
Castletown

there is plenty for the kids to see & do with beeches etc.
I/we have been many times but a word of warning if you are not into motorcycle racing or rallying the roads around the island will be closed at some times so I reccommend you check on what the dates are so you don,t end up going & spoil it for you.
use this site for dates



as for acomodation there is plenty try the tourist board but I do believe that steam packet offer a bundle including acomodation.

enjoy your trip. Malc

Please note I am not allowed to post links on the forum so search for steam-packet & isle of man . com for info you need.

littleg_2

Hi, I used to live there for 10 years and am planning on taking our 7 and 4 year old there this year. I would definitely recommend a car, douglas is fine for shops/ eats, but thats not where the stunning scenery is.

There is a camp site at Glenn willen near peel, where the tents and contents are all set up. You can hire a cottage for 400 ish, Laxey holiday cottages. Peel castle is beautiful, silver dale park, Laxey beach and train to the old Victorian bear rocks. Balla glass glen is fantastic, Castletown has a good castle, the sound. Getting very wistful, can't wait to go back!

PompeyPete

It's worth hiring a car for a day, as it'll take you some of the places that public transport can't, and a lot quicker.

Nile

If you decide to take your car, the Steam Packet ferry to the Isle of Man has an offer of 50% off if you book by the 31st January:

http://www.steam-packet.com/

Regards

Nile

hxm

well, I didn't have a car and I went all over the island using public transport. Enjoyed it too!

cmn374

Hi,
I grew up on the IOM and it is a wonderful place.
I would advise staying in Douglas if you want eat out in the evenings, the choice isn't huge but better than the smaller places.
The best beach (& cleanest) is in Peel, easy to reach by bus. You can walk round the harbour to view the castle, & Peel has one of the 2 best icecream parlours on the Island - Davisons (right by the beach).The other is Davisons in Douglas, on the prom, near the Gaiety Theatre. Jumbos icecream is in Peel too but after extensive research was voted by my family as definitely 2nd behind Davisons.
My other top recommendation would be to take the tram to Laxey - I wouldn't bother to go all the way to Ramsey, there's not a lot to do there. Laxey is home to the Lady Isabella, the largest working water wheel in the world. Another smaller wheel has also recently opened. The mill cafe is a nice place to eat & at the back of the shop there is a working loom. If you still have some energy you can visit the old tin mines too. Laxey is where you get the tram up to the top of Snaefell - the Island's only mountain. I would definitely get on in Laxey, if you go to the Bungalow crossing you might not get on. The is a small cafe at the top. Don't bother going if it isnt a nice day - the mountain gets covered by cloud & you can't see anything.
The horse trams along Douglas seafront are great fun, wrap up warm if it's a bit chilly though.
Castle Rushen, in Castletown is done very well & a lot of their displays are child friendly. You can get to Castletown by bus, or by steam train. The castle & town centre (nice shops) is about 1 mile from the station. If you stay on the stream train all the way to Port Erin, the cafe on the beach is a good place to eat.
The Calf Sound is stunning but you definitely need a car to get there, the bus will take you to Cregmeash Village museum (good & worth a look) but it is a long walk to the sound. You can usually see seals in the area between the mainland & the Calf in July/August. The cafe there is ok but rather expensive - there are loos too.

You won't be clashing with TT week if you go in July or August, but it is worth checking if there is anything else on - the Island hosts quite a few cycle races & rallies. These can sometimes push up the travel & accomodation prices.
I hope you have a fantastic time.
Caroline

shark_DB

thanks everyone, lots to think about but we are looking forward to going even more now

quickstepqueen

I'd recommend ordering the free island brochure:
http://www.visitisleofman.com/travel/brochurerequest/BrochureRequest.iom
Mine came through last week and it is quite useful especially for the diary of events, map and some accommodation (though not all accommodation is listed but tripadvisor is worth a look.) I'm looking at going next year but during TT week and trying to find accommodation is a nightmare so going July/August will be wonderful. Just make sure to pack a full range of clothes as it can be scorching hot in Douglas and then minutes later up in the mountains it can be cold and drizzly!