For the foodieenthusiasts among you, sample a taste of the island with Manx Kippers, apopular local dish. Traditionally herring fillets are caught locally and smokedin old smoke houses, creating a unique taste that has made Manx Kippers afavourite with locals and travellers alike. The best place to try these is inPeel located along the island’s West Coast.
Accommodation on the Isleof Man is plentiful for the size of the island with a goodselection of hotels, guesthouses and B&B’s to suit all tastes and budgets.
Basking sharks, theworld’s second largest living fish visit the waters of the shore annuallybetween May and August. Be sure to bring your camera though as you have a greatchance of catching a glimpse of these great creatures of the coast of Peel,Port Erin or Niarbyl. As well as basking sharks you may also spot seals and ifyou are really lucky Puffin birds.
If you’re visiting themain town of Douglas,visit the Gaiety Theatre and Opera House and catch a show, you won’t bedisappointed. First opened in 1900 and built to the designs of architect FrankMatcham, take a tour when here to find out even more about this impressivebuilding. The newly refurbished theatre reopened in 2004 to include intimateconcert halls, a cinema and a children’s play area. If you are interested inthe supernatural, the theatre also organises ghost tours where you hear thestory of the lady that haunts seat B14 – are you brave enough to take thisseat?
On a visit to Isleof Man discover one of the most preserved medieval castles inEurope, the magnificent CastleRushen. This impressive fortress was once home to the Kings and Lordsof Mann and towers over Market Square, the central square of Castletown,the ancient capital of the Isle of Man. Headstraight to the top of the castle for fantastic views and amazing photoopportunities of the surrounding area. With stocks, canons and an undergrounddungeon a visit to Castle Rushen will give you a real insight into life in themedieval times.
HeadSouth West and explore the Calf of Man, a tiny rocky outcrop separated from themainland. The visitor centre located at Port St Mary give you an unrivalled 180degree view of the surrounding area. The waters that pass between Calf of Manand the Isle of Man enjoy swirling tides andattract keen kayakers throughout the year.
Besure to visit the CregneashNational Folk Museum and wander around this ‘living museum’. The tiny thatchedwhitewashed cottages are still inhabited and on the working farm demonstrationsof traditional crafts such as weaving, blacksmiths and carpentryare carried out by skilled craftsmen, whilst the delicious smell of homecooking drifts out from thenearby tea room.
Notrip to the Isle of Man is complete without avisit to the Great Laxey Wheel designed by the Victorian engineer RobertCasement the wheel was built in 1854 to pump water. Take the opportunity towatch the wheel turning, before climbing to the top to enjoy views over theGlen Mooar Valley. The Great Laxey Wheel is the world’s largest workingwaterwheel and at over 72 feet high, has been welcoming visitors ever since1854.