Located between England and Ireland in the Irish Sea and with a strong Viking heritage, the Isle of Man is a unique land of scenic beauty and cultural traditions.
From the stronghold of Castle Rushen to breathtaking position of the ruined Peel Castle, the island is full of ancient buildings and sites that speak to its Celtic roots which evolved as it became a Viking territory right up to modern day where it currently exists as a self-governing British Crown Dependency. The Isle of Man has its own currency and native language which was the subject of a massive effort to preserve in the early 20th century and led to a limited resurgence in Manx Gaelic speakers.
For those who love a more traditional way of travelling, the island is home to a wide collection of heritage railways such as the Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway as well as the charming Manx Electric Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, the oldest horse-drawn passenger tramway in service in the world.
The Isle of Man
A main attraction on the island is the Laxey Wheel, called ‘Lady Isabella’, which was used to pump water out of the Laxey mines, reputed to have been the deepest mines in the world during the 1800s.
Another unmissable and historic attraction on the Isle of Man is the village of Cregneash which up until the early 1900s had not been affected by modern technology and was one of the last places on the island you could hear a native Manx speaker. Many of the original white thatched cottages have been acquired over time by Manx National Heritage, opening Cregneash to the public as a living museum to try and preserve the Manx traditions.
The Calf of Man is a beautiful and unspoilt bird sanctuary just off the coast in the southwest of the island, and from the Sound you can look to it across a stretch of water that is home to many seals and dolphins as well as the many varieties of birds flying overhead.
During your coach trip to the Isle of Man you’ll pass through many quaint towns with narrow streets and terrace houses, but none as historically significant as Castletown. Dating back to 1090 this is one of the oldest towns in the British Isles and for hundreds of years was the capital of the island before it moved to Douglas. The medieval Castle Rushen is the centrepiece of the town and was once home to kings and then the government, it is now open to the public to visit.
To find your next coach holiday or short break to The Isle of Man simply use our Holiday Search above.