Visit the Isle of Man and experience Britain's best kept secret
Set in the heart of the Irish sea, off the north west coast of England lies Britain's best kept secret - the Isle of Man. At just 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, the Isle of Man is a must for all countryside lovers with its many different landscapes and breathtaking views.
Explore the Island at your leisure
Walkers can enjoy unspoilt coastal and hillside footpaths, and this little kingdom is perfect for bicycles, following clearly signposted routes, which make a series of cycle tracks throughout the Island.
Definitely not the London Tube..!
With a population of just under 80,000, you can be sure to escape the hustle and bustle of city life when you escape to the Island. For those looking for a more gentle means of exploration can sit back and admire the view on board one of the Island's historic transport systems. But perhaps the most spectacular ride of all is aboard the Snaefell Mountain Railway. Beginning at the old mining village of Laxey - home to the world's largest working waterwheel - the line climbs to the Island's highest point, from where it is possible to see the kingdoms of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Mann, Heaven and the kingdom of the sea.
Make sure to pack the golf clubs
But it's not just heritage enthusiasts who enjoy visiting the Isle of Man, with eight quality golf courses and a mild winter climate, the Island is a must for golfers of all abilities.
World famous special events
The Island has a packed calendar of special events such as the world famous TT Motorcycle Races, as well as car rallies, railways, arts and music festivals are ideal themes around which to base a visit to the Island.
Fishing...birdwatching - we have it all
The southern tip of the Island is a rugged wilderness and is a haven for birdlife and fishing as well as a beautiful location for photography. The beauty and variety of the Island has not been lost on filmmakers either and you can follow the movie trail taking in locations for famous films such as Waking Ned and Tom Brown's School Days.
An Island steeped in rich culture
The cultural influences for the Island originate from the indigenous Celtic peoples who were converted to Christianity by the early missionaries of the Celtic church around 500 AD. The Vikings arrived in the Island around 800 AD and the fusion of cultures took place which is still evident in the archaeology, language and place-names and Parliamentary traditions of the Island.
An historic tourism destination
From Victorian times, the Island developed a thriving tourist industry based upon sand and sea, and much of the Victorian infrastructure remains, including one of the largest functioning networks of steam and electric railways.
The Manx language, one of the Gaelic languages, closer to Irish and Scottish than to Welsh, is still spoken in the Island by a minority, but the primary language is English.
The Island has its own Government, Tynwald, (derived from the Viking term for ‘assembly place’), which operates separately from the UK Government. Manx National Heritage is the statutory body of the Manx Government for museum and heritage operations throughout the Isle of Man.
For more information on the history of Mann, you may wish to visit the Manx National Heritage website.
If you require any further information which is not available on this website, please contact our reservations centre on + 44 (0) 871 222 1 333.