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The Isle of Man

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You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
6 days From £679 £629 per person
4.6 stars(336 reviews)
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Home from home charm on a unique island

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Mobility Rating 2

2023 Tour code: 23MXS

About the tour

From your base in seaside Douglas, visit the Isle of Man's traditional towns, pretty fishing ports and picturesque coastline as you travel on historic railways and soak up the unique culture of the island.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Heysham and Douglas

Arrive in Heysham, Lancashire, ahead of your early afternoon ferry journey to the Isle of Man. You arrive in the coastal resort town of Douglas, the island's capital, and transfer to your hotel close to the seafront. An island reminiscent of a bygone age, the Isle of Man has a unique culture and heritage, and charming Douglas is the perfect spot from which to experience it.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Isle of Man Steam Railway

Enjoy a horse-drawn tram ride along the promenade before a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Man Steam Railway, the island's oldest rail system. Sit back in the restored carriages as you take in lovely countryside views on your way to Port Erin, a town set in a beautiful bay on the south-west of the island. A scenic drive takes you to the headland, overlooking the Calf of Man, where you can look out for seals and nesting birds. Later, travel to Castletown, the island's former capital. Castle Rushen dominates the town and the Nautical Museum and Old House of Keys are all worth a visit. Entrance to all three sites is included with your Heritage Explorer Pass. On your return to Douglas, you travel over the Fairy Bridge where locals traditionally greet the fairies as they cross.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Peel

Travel to the fishing port of Peel, stopping at Tynwald Hill, the meeting place of the Manx parliamentary assembly. In Peel you have free time. Its thriving fishing industry and smokehouses have made it famous for its kippers, which you can buy from a number of local shops. You could also visit Peel Castle, located on St Patrick's Isle, or the House of Manannan, which explores the island's Celtic, Viking and Maritime heritage. Later, drive along a section of the famous TT racing circuit on the way to Ramsey, where you journey on the Manx Electric Railway back to Douglas, travelling through glorious countryside, across gorse-topped hills, and along the stunning coast. Relax on board the oldest working tramcars in the world, many of original Victorian and Edwardian era rolling stock.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - The Snaefell Mountain Railway

Begin the day aboard the Manx Electric Railway, travelling to the fishing village of Laxey. Here, join the Snaefell Mountain Railway - the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles - for a scenic journey that takes you up to the peak of Snaefell. The highest mountain on the Isle of Man, the views from the summit of Snaefell are stunning. On a clear day, it's possible to see England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Return to Laxey where you have free time. You could visit Laxey Wheel, the world's largest working waterwheel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Douglas

Today is free for you to discover the island using your included Explorer Pass for travel on local transport, and your Heritage Pass for entrance to Manx National Heritage Sites. You could visit the Victorian Gaiety Theatre on Douglas promenade, which has undergone careful restoration to ensure it retains its historical charms. Or, step back in time at the Grove Museum of Victorian Life, a beautifully preserved Victorian house with authentic period rooms, original furnishings and a costume room.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Heysham & home

Leave Douglas on the morning ferry, arriving back into Heysham just after midday. On arrival, you're free to make your way home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please be aware that the order of the excursions may be different than appears here.

Departure times

We depart from Heysham to the Isle of Man at approximately 2:15pm on the first day of your holiday. On the return trip, our ferry docks in Heysham at around 12:15pm.

However, we will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Ascot Hotel, Douglas

Ascot Hotel, Douglas

View hotel

Trains

Isle of Man Steam Railway
Manx Electric Railway
Snaefell Mountain Railway

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Upgrades

Rail travel to and from Heysham
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Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 336 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (238)
  2. 4 stars
    (81)
  3. 3 stars
    (14)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (2)

I Sooriasegaram

4 stars

Submitted 21/Sep

Everything is good but little disappointed with the free day. Few places were closed on Tuesdays. Also, it's a holiday for the horse-drawn trams as well. Knowing these in advance will help everyone to plan their free day better.

Collected by Trustpilot

Shirley

5 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

Brilliant. Beautiful island, lots to see and do. Amazing modes of transport and we had good weather too.

Collected by Trustpilot

Cath Ryde

5 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

Excellent tour in all aspects. Great trips on different forms of transport: electric trams, mountain electric train, steam train, to very interesting places around The Isle of Man. Very good hotel.

Collected by Trustpilot

William Tutty

5 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

Excellent - A transport enthusiasts’ delight.

Collected by Trustpilot

J Benton

4 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

Well organised enjoyable holiday

Collected by Trustpilot

Mrs Frances Fisher

5 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

Excellent

Collected by Trustpilot

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