The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. It’s not part of the UK or EU but belongs to the British Crown. It has an independent parliament and administration and Its inhabitants are British citizens.
The Isle of Man was permanently settled by Celts and fell under Viking control in 1079. The Viking legacy is seen in many place names and the title of the Tynwald parliament. The Celtic Manx language predominated until the 19th century, when it began to be replaced by English. Man passed to the Scottish crown in 1266, and then to the feudal lordship of the Stanley family under the English crown. The British crown acquired the lordship in 1764, but never incorporated the island into the United Kingdom.
Blessed with this rich heritage, impressive natural landscapes and action-packed escapades, the Isle of Man makes a perfect holiday destination, whether it’s raining or sunny. Throughout the year, you’ll find the Island the perfect playground for those who love to explore the great outdoors. Surrounded by a diverse terrain of beaches, glens and beautiful countryside, there’s lots for the whole family to explore and enjoy.
If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you’ll want to indulge in the Isle of Man’s stunning offering of watersports, including kayaking and snorkelling. Or you might want to experience some of the island’s best-loved beauty spots and its wildlife. You can view the Isle of Man’s scenic highlights on foot or by motor, with a number of different tours and sightseeing ventures suitable for all ages. With fascinating heritage sites, historic monuments and interactive museums, you can discover more than 100,000 years of Manx history as you tour around the Island’s attractions. The Island’s climate is typically mild, but even when it’s rainy, there’s plenty of indoor entertainment to enjoy, as well as enclosed shopping areas, sports and leisure activities to keep you occupied.
Motorsport
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The Isle of Man is, of course, best known for its motorsport. The thrilling Tourist Trophy (TT) road racing event attracts thousands of visitors each year with its challenging track of bends, bumps and jumps - a sheer spectacle that has captured the attention of motorsport fans from around the world.
Aside from the TT, there are plenty of other motorsport events for fans to experience throughout the year, including the Manx Classic, Isle of Man Rallies and Southern 100. Each event brings a unique aspect of racing to the mix, with an exciting array of vintage and modern machines. If watching the action isn’t enough, you can ride the famous Isle of Man TT Course on the back of a three-wheeled trike, from which you can take in the beautiful scenery in a safe, but nevertheless exciting, means of transport. If you’re after something faster, head to Jurby and challenge yourself on the go-karts. The track includes hairpins and fast straights that will test even the most experienced drivers. Also at Jurby is the chance to put your vehicle to the test with an exhilarating track day circuit which boasts nine curves, two 100mph straights, generous run-offs and an open pit lane.
Where to stay
Whether you’re looking for a cosy B&B, quality hotel or attractive self-catering cottage or apartment, the Isle of Man offers a great variety of places to stay. All accommodation listed on the official visitor website (https://www.visitisleofman.com) is subject to compulsory annual registration and independent inspection. For the best quality accommodation, look for those which bear an Isle of Man Tourism Gold or Silver Award. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit different, the Island has many unusual accommodation options to choose from - such as a yurt, a Manx Bunkhouse or an authentic Victorian Guest House.
If you’re visiting to enjoy the islands unpolluted night skies, there are registered Stargazer Friendly places offering accommodation to suit. You’ll also find that many properties welcome travellers with bikes, dogs and motorcycles and have specific services and facilities to meet their needs. Although the Isle of Man has plenty of available accommodation most of the year, it can become a struggle during the TT Races, so if you’re planning a visit during that fortnight, make sure you book well in advance.
Food and drink
For a small island, the Isle of Man possesses a wide range of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants and excels in the quality and variety of available food and drink – much of which is locally produced. Renowned for its fresh produce from flavoursome Queenies to succulent Loaghtan lamb, you'll easily find something to satisfy your appetite. To make it easier for visitors, Taste Isle of Man is an independently assessed quality assurance scheme, which has been designed to help you make an informed choice about where to eat and drink during your stay. From traditional Manx dishes to well-known family favourites, there is a wide selection of eateries to choose from, the majority of which are family friendly, with many offering a children’s play area.
Getting there
Visiting the Isle of Man by air or sea is easy, quick and convenient, with air links available from many major airports situated in the UK, Channel Islands, Ireland and further afield.. Most airlines operate daily flights to the Island with flight times from the UK ranging from 30 minutes to about 1 hour 20 minutes. Located in the south of the Island, the Isle of Man’s only airport - Ronaldsway – is regularly serviced by a bus route to bring you to the town or village of your choice. Alternatively, you can get a taxi or hire a car straight from the airport to your destination. If you prefer sea travel, the Steam Packet Company operates regular ferry services to the Island from Heysham, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Dublin and Belfast using two reliable vessels – the 96-metre catamaran, Mannanan, or the conventional Ben-my-Chree. Vessels moor in the main harbour in the Island’s capital of Douglas or, for larger ships, in Douglas Bay.
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