Explore the Isle of Man with Manx National Heritage 2024

A WARM WELCOME FROM MANX NATIONAL HERITAGE

Failt Erriu - welcome to our 2024 visitor guide, brimming with information and inspiration to plan your days out and to help you make the most of your time on the Isle of Man.

From castles to coastlines, art to archaeology, forts to feats of engineering, museums and their magnificent collections, visit our incredible places and spaces to experience and enjoy the Island’s finest heritage sites.

With one of the richest historic landscapes in Europe, our stunning island offers an abundance of unique and inspiring days out.

Your support of our work to conserve and promote our historic places is greatly appreciated. By visiting, buying gifts in our shops or making a donation to our charity, you are helping to protect our historic places for future generations to enjoy.

We look forward to welcoming you to our sites.

Manx National Heritage Isle of Man charity no. 603

KEY TO SYMBOLS

To help you find and share exact locations what3words divided the world into 3 metre squares and gave each square a unique combination of three words. To use, download the free app to your personal device.

* Visit our website for full accessibility guides to help you plan your visit. All information correct at time of going to print and may be subject to change. Printed March 2024. Please check Manx National Heritage website manxnationalheritage.im for opening times and our latest information.

OUR CHARITY CARES FOR...

The world’s largest working waterwheel

Over 950 plant species in our gardens

The oldest surviving schooner in the world

Manx National Heritage is responsible for conserving, protecting and promoting the Isle of Man’s natural and cultural heritage. We are a registered charity and look after some of the Island’s most special places, spaces, archives and museum collections.

More Viking Age silver per square kilometre than England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

More than 2,500 acres of landscape

Over 1 million items in our collections

Calf of Man Bird Observatory of international importance

MANX MUSEUM

Thie Tashtee Vannin

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR

9.30am - 4.30pm

Free - Recommended donation £10

Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS WITH YOUR SUPPORT

Situated in the heart of Douglas, the Manx Museum is bursting with artefacts and treasures unique to the Isle of Man. Highlights include some of the finest Viking treasures in the British Isles, temporary exhibitions, and spectacular galleries including a new Isle of Man TT Gallery and an exhibition of more than 100 works from the National Art Collection.

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES

Explore our vast archives and printed resources; language, folklore, archaeology and landholdings are just some of the subjects to uncover. Open Wed - Sat, 10am - 4.30pm

We recently celebrated our 100th anniversary caring for over one million objects and archives in our national collections. Your support helps our charity conserve, protect and promote these resources for future generations to enjoy.

FIND US AT

Kingswood Grove, Douglas, IM1 3LY

Tel: 01624 648000

Transport: Buses 3, 3A, 22, 22H, 25, 25H

Horse Tram Broadway Stop, Manx Electric Railway and Steam Railway Douglas stops. visit.sums.gentle

Viking Gallery

National Art Gallery

Gallery

WHAT’S ON at the Manx Museum

ISLE OF MAN TT GALLERY

OPEN ALL YEAR

Immerse yourself in our spectacular new Isle of Man TT Gallery with highlights including world famous trophies and iconic machines, displayed alongside leathers, helmets, memorabilia and more.

WILD MANN PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

26 APRIL - 30 JUNE

Inspired by Wildlife Photographer of the Year, enjoy a photographic showcase of the Isle of Man’s wildlife and natural environment captured by photography enthusiasts.

MANX OLYMPIANS

JUNE 2024FEBRUARY 2025

Discover inspiring stories and images of Manx Olympians, and meet the Isle of Man’s ambitious new talents who will be going for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and in future games.

TYNWALD - PHOTOS BY MARTIN PARR

29 JUNE - 6 OCTOBER

Delve into photographs taken during National Week 2023 by British documentary Photographer Martin Parr CBE. Accompanying stamp collection available to purchase.

NATIONAL ART GALLERY

OPEN ALL YEAR

Explore highlights from the National Art Collection by established Manx artists and artists inspired by the Isle of Man, including Archibald Knox, John Miller Nicholson and William Hoggatt.

FAERIES AND FOLKLORE

OCTOBER 2024FEBRUARY 2025

Step into the realm of Manx fairy tales, myths and legend; of odd, yet strangely familiar fey encounters, through the art of illustrator Julia Ashby Smyth. Original artworks available to purchase.

HOUSE OF MANANNAN

Thie Vanannan

OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR

9.30am - 4.30pm

Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Embark on a magical tour through the Isle of Man’s rich Celtic, Viking and maritime past with the mythological sea god Manannan as your guide. Discover the Island from its time as the centre of the ‘Kingdom of Mann and the Isles’, to the busy fishing ports of the 19th century and the beginnings of The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Step inside life-size reconstructions of a Celtic roundhouse and a Viking longhouse, hear fascinating stories carved into ancient stone crosses and see Odin’s Raven, a magnificent replica Viking longship.

YOUR ADMISSION

Walk through quayside warehouses, discovering the sights and sounds of sailmakers, coopers, chandlers and the superstitions of Peel’s fishing folk. Adults £15*, Student £6.75 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi-site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT Mill Road, Peel, IM5 1AT Tel: 01624 648090

Transport: Buses 4, 4B, 5, 5C, 6, 6A pink.directly.lucky

2h+

Scan the QR code to find out more about the House of Manannan

*Adult admission tickets for the House of Manannan include a £1.50 voluntary donation to Manx National Heritage, supporting our charity’s work in caring for the Isle of Man’s historic buildings, landscapes, archives and museum collections.

If you do not wish to make a donation of £1.50, or you wish to make a donation of a different amount, please let our staff know when purchasing your ticket.

Manx Crosses Replica Viking ship Odin’s Raven

Explore the fascinating reason why the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) began on the Isle of Man.

For centuries, the sea has been a lifeline, bringing people to and from the Island and on the vital route to far-flung lands, many others have passed by. But not all journeys were completed safely. In February 1823, motivated by dreadful loss of human life to shipwreck, Island resident Sir William Hillary set out an appeal to the British nation. A publically-funded lifesaving institution for all those at sea was needed, and Hillary described the cause as “individual, national and universal”.

In March 1824, his aspiration was realised. This exhibition tells the story of some of the wrecks that so moved Sir William Hillary, along with some of the other 1700 that have been recorded in Manx waters. Illustrated with remarkable artefacts, archives and images from the Manx national collections and from the RNLI, discover the stories of the people who were on those ships. From heroic lifesaving to prevention of plunder, ‘All at Sea’ brings the stories of lost shipwrecks to the surface.

Open at the House of Manannan from 17 February 2024 - 5 January 2025. Admission free - donations welcome.

PEEL CASTLE

Cashtal Phurt Ny H-inshey

OPEN 28 MARCH TO 3 NOVEMBER

Follow in the footsteps of Christian missionaries, Kings and Vikings at Peel Castle, an impressive fortress on St Patrick’s Isle. Overlooking Peel harbour, legend has it that St Patrick visited the island bringing Christianity to the Isle of Man. Renowned for its glorious views, St Patrick’s Isle was a place of worship and later became a fort for an 12th century Viking King. Once a royal residence, this magnificent castle was a centre for the Island’s government for over 200 years until power moved south to Castle Rushen.

AMAZING ARCHAEOLOGY

Around 40 years ago, the grave of a wealthy woman from around 950 AD was discovered

inside Peel Castle. It contained a necklace made of 73 glass, jet and amber beads from Britain and Europe. Some were 300 years old when the Pagan Lady wore the necklace. This spectacular necklace is on display at the Manx Museum in Douglas.

Adults £11*, Student £5 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi -site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT

West Quay, Peel IM5 1TB

Tel: 01624 648090

Transport: Buses 4, 4A, 5, 5C, 6, 6A doctor.puzzles.spine

Scan the QR code to find out more about Peel Castle 1h+

YOUR ADMISSION

*Adult admission tickets for Peel Castle include a £1 voluntary donation to Manx National Heritage, supporting our charity’s work in caring for the Isle of Man’s most cherished places and spaces, including historic buildings, landscapes, archives and museum collections.

If you do not wish to make a donation of £1, or you wish to make a donation of a different amount, please let our staff know when purchasing your ticket.

Peel Castle Pagan Lady’s Necklace

GROVE MUSEUM

Thie Tashtee Yn Chell

OPEN 28 MARCH TO 3 NOVEMBER

Step inside the cherished home of the Gibbs of the Grove, charmingly displayed as it was left by sisters Janet and Alice Gibb. Built as a summer retreat for their grandfather, a wealthy Victorian shipping merchant, later it became the Gibb family home. Lovingly preserved, a visit to the Grove is like stepping back in time. Re-acquaint yourself with familiar items from our recent past; original costumes, jewellery, toys and fine furnishings show the story of the family, while the scullery and kitchen reveal what life was like for the maid. Outside, walk through the cobbled courtyard to see vintage farm machinery and enjoy our lovely garden, home to our very own colony of honey bees, looked after by our expert bee-keepers.

NEARBY DISCOVER: CASHTAL YN ARD

DON’T MISS

When visiting the Grove, don’t miss out on a jar of Grove Honey, available from the Grove Shop. Every purchase supports our work in caring for the Island’s heritage.

Adult £9*, Student £4.50 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi-site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT

Andreas Road, Ramsey IM8 3UA

Tel: 01624 812686.

Transport: Buses 18K

clean.thrills.bleat

Manx Electric Railway Ramsey Stop. doves.conjures.elevator

Cashtal yn Ard meaning ‘Castle of the Heights’ in Manx, an exceptional example of a Neolithic long cairn dating to around 3000 BC.

Grove Museum, Ramsey

Landscaped gardens at the Grove

Necklace

CASTLE RUSHEN

Cashtal Rushen

OPEN 28 MARCH TO 3 NOVEMBER

Located in Castletown, the ancient capital of the Isle of Man, this impressive fortress is one of Europe’s most finely preserved medieval castles and was once home to the Kings and Lords of Man. Originally built for a Norse king in around 1200AD, Castle Rushen was developed by successive rulers until the 1600s. During its time it was used as a fortress, royal residence, a mint and even a prison. Inside, immerse yourself in the castle’s history and hear from some of its inhabitants, including Bishop Wilson in his prison cell. Meet the castle guards in their vaulted rooms, climb the spiral staircases for stunning views and return indoors to dine with the Kings and Lords of Man. An interactive 3D scan of the castle (situated on the ground floor) enables all

YOUR ADMISSION

visitors to virtually climb the castle’s winding staircase and enjoy rooms above ground level.

Adults £14*, Student £6.50 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi-site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT

Castle Street, Castletown, Isle of Man, IM9 1LD

Tel: 01624 827413

Transport: Buses 1, 1H, 2A, 11, 11A, 12, 12A

Isle of Man Steam Railway Castletown Stop crisps.perfect.littler

2h+

Scan the QR code to find out more about Castle Rushen

*Adult admission tickets for Castle Rushen include a £1 voluntary donation to Manx National Heritage, supporting our charity’s work in caring for the Isle of Man’s most cherished places and spaces, including historic buildings, landscapes, archives and museum collections.

If you do not wish to make a donation of £1, or you wish to make a donation of a different amount, please let our staff know when purchasing your ticket.

The banqueting hall inside Castle Rushen Castle Rushen

THE OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Yn Chenn Scoill Grammeyoys

Constructed around 1200AD as a church serving the settlement that grew up around Castle Rushen, this fascinating building became a grammar school for boys in Victorian times. In 1950, it was saved by our Charity from destruction when a preservation order was pinned to its door as the bulldozers approached. Today, it remains the oldest roofed structure on the Isle of Man.

TO VISIT

Join our Castletown Heritage Tour. Book at Castle Rushen or online at manxnationalheritage.im/shop

FIND US AT airfields.imprecise.them

Scan the QR code to find out more about the Old Grammar

THE OLD HOUSE OF KEYS

Shenn Thie yn Chiare as Feed

Greeted by the Secretary of the Old House of Keys, step inside the former home of the oldest continuous Parliament in the world and centre of 19th century political life on the Isle of Man. Take your seat in the finely restored debating chamber for a theatrical debate on setting the Island’s laws and discover how democracy develops as animated portraits bring Members of the House of Keys to life. Should racing be allowed on Open Roads? Should women get the vote? You decide in this immersive experience.

TO VISIT

Book a sitting at manxnationalheritage.im/shop

FIND US AT pretended.narrowest.executive

30m 45m

Scan the QR code to find out more about the Old House of Keys

Old House of Keys, Castletown

Old Grammar School, Castletown

School

NAUTICAL MUSEUM

Yn Thie Tashtee Lhuingey

TOURS FROM 30 MARCH TO 2 NOVEMBER

Uncover the fascinating story of Manxman George Quayle, his boathouse, and his most significant possession, the Peggy. A rare survival, the Peggy is one of the world’s oldest wooden boats and the earliest armed yacht in the British Isles. Secret doors and panels in the boathouse reveal Quaylebanker, soldier and inventor - alongside the recently discovered dock, and previously unseen archaeological finds.

TO VISIT

Book a tour at Castle Rushen or online at manxnationalheritage.im/shop

THE PEGGY CONSERVATION TOUR

The Peggy is the oldest complete vessel on the UK National Register of Historic Vessels. Internationally important, she has undergone conservation work in readiness for her return to Castletown. To hear more, join us for a free tour of our conservation facility at Cooil Smithy, and see the Peggy, learn more about George Quayle, and get the latest update on this unique project. limit.bony.cubicles

Scan the QR code to find out more about the Nautical Museum

CASTLETOWN HERITAGE TOURS

Enjoy a tour of three Manx National Heritage sites in Castletown and explore the extraordinary history of the Old House of Keys, Old Grammar School and the Nautical Museum with our expert guides.

Pre-booking required on manxnationalheritage.im/shop

Nautical Museum, Castletown

The Peggy, conservation tours

RUSHEN ABBEY

Mannishter Rushen

OPEN 28 MARCH TO 3 NOVEMBER

In Ballasalla, the remains of Rushen Abbey sit in the Abbey Gardens. Originally the home of monks from the Sauvignac Order, who wrote The Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles, the abbey dates back to a gift by King Olaf in 1134. Discover the abbey in it’s time as a monastery, a school for girls, jam factory and entertainment venue renowned for strawberry and cream tea dances. Enjoy the charming Abbey Gardens, see the remains of medieval buildings and enjoy activities for families of all ages.

KEEPING OUR GARDENS BLOOMING

Thanks to your support, we keep our gardens blooming with spring flowers and wild-flower meadows.

Adult £9, Student £4.50 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi-site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT Mill Road, Ballasalla

Tel: 01624 827413

Transport: Buses 1, 1H, 2, 2A, 11, 11A, 12, 12A

Isle of Man Steam Railway Ballasalla Stop grounding.indicative.bristled

Scan the QR code to find out more about Rushen Abbey

NEARBY DISCOVER: BALLADOOLE VIKING SHIP BURIAL

Just outside Castletown, Balladoole is one of the Isle of Man’s most impressive ancient monuments. Excavations have revealed a number of significant finds here including prehistoric flints, Bronze Age burials, Iron Age earthworks and early Christian lintel graves. A 10th century AD Viking boat burial which contained a 36ft long Viking ship. The body of a wealthy woman was among the many discoveries. zebras.craved.maps

Rushen Abbey gardens , Ballasalla Join in Monky Business activities for kids

GREAT LAXEY WHEEL

Queeyl Vooar Laksey

OPEN 28 MARCH TO 3 NOVEMBER

The Great Laxey Wheel is the Isle of Man’s most iconic landmark and the largest working water wheel in the world. At 72 feet 6 inches in diameter, this extraordinary feat of Victorian engineering has brought tourists flocking to the picturesque village of Laxey for almost 170 years. During your visit, see this magnificent wheel turning and take the spiral stairs to the top to enjoy panoramic views of Glen Mooar Valley. Beyond the wheel, learn about the lives of the Laxey miners, explore the mines trail and take a trip into the adit to experience life underground. Find out why the wheel is also known as Lady Isabella during your visit.

Adults £15*, Student £6.75 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi-site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT

Wheel Hill, Mines Road, Laxey, IM4 7NL

Tel: 01624 861136

Transport: Buses 3, 3A

Rail: Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell

Mountain

Mountain Railway Laxey Stop fighters.chickens.drilled

1h+

Scan the QR code to find out more about the Laxey Wheel

HELP US KEEP THE LAXEY WHEEL TURNING

*Adult admission tickets for Laxey Wheel include a £1.50 voluntary donation to Manx National Heritage, supporting our charity’s work in helping keep the Great Laxey Wheel turning for future generations.

If you do not wish to make a donation of £1.50, or you wish to make a donation of a different amount, please let our staff know when purchasing your ticket.

Underground at Laxey mines

Lady Isabella

mines

CONSERVING THE WHEEL

Manx National Heritage recently completed the first phase of an award winning conservation programme, during which the Lady Isabella was carefully studied and conserved. Old render and defective timbers suffering from decay were replaced, ironmongery repaired and the wheel, housing, railings and viewing platform re-painted. Standing static during her

conservation, the world famous waterwheel began turning once again in the autumn of 2022, concluding the first phase of the most comprehensive conservation project completed on Lady Isabella since her restoration almost 40 years ago.

This year, the next phase in this momentous project will see work undertaken on the wheel’s rod duct and T-Rocker.

NEARBY DISCOVER: KING ORRY’S GRAVE

Despite its name (which refers to a Viking King and is an invention of local folklore) this fascinating ancient monument on the outskirts of Laxey is in fact a Neolithic chambered tomb, built around 6,000 years ago. The two separate monuments that you see today were originally joined by a long cairn of stones. myth.luck.fame

View from the top of the Laxey Wheel

Inspecting the mine

Side elevation of Lady Isabella

CREGNEASH

Creneash

OPEN 28 MARCH TO 3 NOVEMBER

Step back in time at Cregneash, a picturesque village, with thatched Manx cottages open to explore and enjoy. Visit Harry Kelly’s cottage, which opened back in 1938, marking the start of the first open air Folk Museum in the British Isles. Enjoy regular craft demonstrations in the cottages, visit Church Farmhouse and learn to say a few words of Manx in the cottage once lived in by Ned Beg Hom Roy. Visit our shop for gifts, including knitting wool from our own Loghtan Sheep flock, a rare native breed famed for their four horns, which greet you in the village. For refreshments sample freshly made cakes in the café.

Over May Day weekend, Laa Boaldyn (Manx May Day), is celebrated in the village. At the end of October the village comes to

life with children carving turnip lanterns for Hop tu Naa which marks the start of winter and Celtic New Year’s eve.

UPCOMING EVENTS

6 May, Laa Boaldyn

Last week in October, Hop tu Naa

Adult £10, Student £5 (with a valid student card). Children aged under 18 FREE. Multi-site savings available (see p20)

FIND US AT

Howe Road, Cregneash IM9 5PX Tel: 01624 834993

soups. blatant.relieving

Manx Loghtan Sheep

Cregneash Village

CALF OF MAN

Yn Cholloo

Available to visit during the summer. Day trips and overnight accommodation available. Visit manxnationalheritage.im for more information.

Located amidst spectacular scenery half a mile off the southern tip of the Isle of Man, the Calf of Man is a small island extending to approximately 600 acres. Under the care of Manx National Heritage the Calf provides the ideal destination for birdwatchers, being home to extensive seabird colonies and thousands of migrating birds. Around 33 species of seabirds breed on the island, including Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake, Razorbill and Shag. Other species normally observed on the island include Peregrine,

NEARBY DISCOVER: MEAYLL CIRCLE

Hen Harrier and Chough.

is accessed by independent small boat operators running return trips from Port St Mary and Port Erin. Sailings are subject to suitable weather conditions, tide and the availability of the boatmen and all journeys must be booked in advance.

Overnight stays are available in Manx National Heritage’s hostel accommodation at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory during summer months. Find out more on page 24.

Scan the QR code to find out more about booking trips to the Calf of Man

Meayll Circle, a Neolithic chambered cairn near Cregneash village, is the most outstanding of the Manx megaliths. Constructed more than 5,000 years ago with 12 burial chambers or cists arranged in pairs around the circumference of the cairn, it is an exceptional monument in the Isle of Man and also within the British Isles. Each cist contained fragments of charred bone, pottery and flint, which help tell the story of people who lived in the Neolithic period. Artefacts found at the site are on display at the Manx Museum in Douglas.

tungsten.representing.litter

The Calf of Man

View of the Calf of Man Baby Herring Gull

EXPLORE MORE FOR LESS

Turn the price of one day out into multiple adventures with our multi-site tickets.

Holiday Pass - £35

Offering unlimited access to all Manx National Heritage sites for the named cardholder up to 14 days from first use, our Holiday Pass is the perfect ticket for your holiday break.

Annual Pass & Membership - from £40

An annual pass is available for Isle of Man residents to enjoy, providing unlimited entry to Manx National Heritage sites. Proof of address required. Membership is also available through the Friends of Manx National Heritage.

Go Explore Heritage Pass - £69 Hop on board the Isle of Man Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Bus Vannin and Douglas Bay Horse Trams, and enjoy entry to all Manx National Heritage sites for up to 5 days from first use.

Tickets can be purchased at all Manx National Heritage sites and manxnationalheritage.im/shop

GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING

Shopping with Manx National Heritage

Our wonderful range of products include handmade gifts, textiles, homeware, books and more, inspired by our beautiful Island. 100% of our profits from your purchase supports our charity’s work.

CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

Get gifts, books and prints delivered with the help of our online shop at manxnationalheritage.im

ISLE OF MAN HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD

To find out more fascinating information about the Island’s historic places, archaeological sites, landscape, shipwrecks and historic buildings, visit the Isle of Man Historic Environment Record at isleofmanher.im

Scan the QR code to find out more.

DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

Discover over 1 million records on our ever expanding online portal. Explore art to archaeology, baptisms, marriages, burials, sound archives, books, maps photographs, posters, prints and more than 150 years of digitised Manx newspapers. Visit imuseum. im to find out more.

You can also discover the Manx Museum collections using our free Bloomberg Connects digital guide.

CAFÉS & RESTAURANTS

THE CAFÉ AT THE SOUND

Sound Road, Cregneash, Port Erin Dine in a panoramic location overlooking the Calf of Man.

CREGNEASH CAFÉ

Cregneash Village, Sound Road

Open seasonally for hearty food, coffee and cakes in the picturesque setting of Cregneash Village.

THE COFFEE STATION

House of Manannan, Peel

Start your day with a coffee or enjoy a sandwich, cake or snack.

THE CASTLEGATE BUILDING

The Quay, Castletown

A scenic harbour-side Costa café offering coffee, cakes and snacks.

Opening times are published on manxnationalheritage.im or please visit each café’s own website for full details.

THE ABBEY RESTAURANT

Rushen Abbey, Ballasalla

Fine dining next to the site of Rushen Abbey.

NIARBYL BAY CAFÉ

Dalby Village

Situated in one of the most picturesque locations overlooking the Island’s west coast. Temporarily closed whilst internal works are carried out. Please check website for details of re-opening before making the journey to this beautifully located Café.

BAY ROOM CAFÉ

Manx Museum, Douglas Temporarily closed, re-opening in 2024. This delightful café is located in the Manx Museum. Please check website for details of re-opening to avoid disappointment on arrival.

The Café at the Sound Cregneash Café

STAY WITH US

Start planning your adventures on the Isle of Man at one of our self catering destinations. We offer unique places to stay, providing the perfect base for your next holiday and a warm Manx welcome for all who visit.

THIE THOOIT 4 ★

Our stunning thatched cottage on the Island’s north coast is the ideal retreat for stargazing and experiencing the Northern Lights. A registered historic building, our romantic thatched cottage sleeps 2 people and offers guests an unforgettable rural retreat. Enjoying access to Lhen beach and Cronk y Bing nature reserve, the cottage is perfect for nature lovers and is set within a beautiful country garden. islandescapes.im/property/562727

EARY CUSHLIN 4 ★ GOLD

Nestled on the Raad ny Foillan coastal footpath, our tranquil ‘off-grid’ farmhouse is located in a beautiful location on the Island’s west coast. Sleeping up to 9 people, Easy Cushlin offers the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts including stargazers, nature lovers, mountain bikers and walkers.

islandescapes.im/property/562726

CALF OF MAN BIRD OBSERVATORY HOSTEL

Switch off, shut down, log off and enjoy a digital detox on our remote island nature reserve. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty cared for by Manx National Heritage, the Calf of Man offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. On the voyage to the island by private charter boat, you’ll be welcomed by the local wildlife including seals and sea birds.

islandescapes.im/property/563693

CALF VIEW

Coming soon, our holiday cottage in the heart of Cregneash Village offers the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Our holiday accommodation is managed on behalf of Manx National Heritage by Island Escapes, an independent Isle of Man holiday cottage rental agency.

To check availability call 01624 830200

Email visit@islandescapes.im

Scan the QR code to find out more about Manx National Heritage holiday accommodation

Thie Thooit

Calf of Man Bird Observatory

Eary Cushlin

The Lhen beach, Thie Thooit 25

ACCESS FOR ALL

We want all visitors to have a great experience with us. Our Access Guides provide helpful information about the accessibility of our sites and can be found under the ‘Accessibility’ section of manxnationalheritage.im

Access guides are available to download, providing accessibility information for all our sites in one location to assist with planning your visit.

To help facilitate your visit, it is our policy that carers are admitted free of charge to all Manx National Heritage properties.

Assistance dogs are welcome at all Manx National Heritage properties.

Descriptive tours for visually impaired visitors and familiarisation visits to help visitors with learning or sensory difficulties can be arranged on request.

Visitors with specific needs are welcome to contact Manx National Heritage in advance of their visit on 01624 648000.

SAFE PLACES

We are committed to providing a safe environment for all visitors to our sites. Our staff receive training in safeguarding and have a shared responsibility for the protection of children and vulnerable adults engaging with our sites and services.

PLANNING GROUP VISITS

Each year we welcome thousands of group visitors to Manx National Heritage sites. We are here to help make your group visit to the Island extra special and to ensure everything runs smoothly. Please contact us to assist with any aspect of your arrangements. We can help with itineraries, timings, cruise ship visits and tailored or special interest tours. Group rates are available for pre-booked admissions for groups of 15 or more.

GET IN TOUCH

Email: enquiries@mnh.im

Telephone: 01624 648000

Group Bookings Office: 01624 648017

Write to us at:

Manx National Heritage, Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 3LY.

Scan the QR code to get in touch with Manx National Heritage

COUNTRYSIDE AND ANCIENT MONUMENTS

Take time to enjoy the Manx countryside from the coastal heath of the Ayres in the north to the bird-lined cliffs of the Chasms in the south. You will discover one of the richest archaeological landscapes in Europe, enduring evidence of the people who lived here in the past. From Mesolithic remains to Medieval castles, the Island has a truly remarkable variety of archaeological sites.

FORTIFICATIONS FROM THE IRON AGE

Thought to date from the Iron Age there are more than 15 promontory forts around the Island’s coast, built mainly for defence or refuge from attack. Cronk ny Merriu, the ‘Hill of the Dead’ is an excellent example. Overlooking Port Grenaugh in the south of the Island, this ancient site also includes the remains of a Norse style building and was part of a system of coastal lookout posts.

Find the site at swell.steam.rosette

In the North, Kerroogarroo in Andreas is a star-shaped earthwork fort constructed in the mid-17th century by Sir James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, Lord of Mann, a Royalist who fortified the Isle of Man against Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War.

It is the only one of its kind on the Island, designed to withstand almost all forms of artillery attack.

Find it at defends.stylist.beige

IRON AGE AND VIKING FARMSTEADS

Visit The Braaid to find remains of Iron Age and Viking farmsteads sitting side-by-side. A stone circle is all that remains of a large roundhouse, probably lived in and used as an animal enclosure in the Iron Age. No conclusive evidence has ever been found for the date and original purpose of the roundhouse, however, it seems likely that it is the earliest visible structure on the site and served as a home and later as a pen or enclosure for animals when the later Viking longhouses were built.

Discover the site at hoop.highly.pure

Cashtal yn Ard, Maughold

DISCOVER MORE…

To discover more, pick up a copy of Archaeological Sites of the Isle of Man, the ideal companion for anyone wanting to explore these treasures and learn more about the complex history of the Manx people from earliest times.

Available from the Manx Museum Shop and manxnationalheritage.im/shop

Cronk ny Merriu, Port Grenaugh

Kerroogarroo Fort, Andreas The Braaid

Sugarloaf Rock at the Chasms

MANX CROSSES

The Isle of Man boasts one of the most outstanding collections of medieval carved stone crosses anywhere in the British Isles. Some are protected in churches and shelters, whilst others stand in the open air of churchyards and even fields. Some are displayed at the Manx Museum in Douglas.

A number of crosses from the early Christian period and the ruins of four keeills can be found in Maughold churchyard, the site of an early monastic community pre-dating Rushen Abbey by several centuries.

The cross house in the churchyard contains the largest sculpture collection of any parish on the Island, including 38 stones from the churchyard and village. The church houses the only known Manx example of a parish cross, which bears our earliest carved depiction of the three legs of Man. Other points of interest include a World War One parish memorial by Philip Kermode and an Art Nouveau obelisk by Archibald Knox for the celebrated British novelist Hall Caine: both designers took inspiration from the older crosses.

You can also visit medieval crosses at the churches of Andreas, Bride, Jurby, Kirk Michael, Malew, Santon, Onchan and the old churches of Braddan, Lonan, and Marown. All are available to study in 3D online at: sketchfab.com/manxnationalheritage/collections/manx-crosses

Manx Crosses at Old Lonan Church

31 Andreas Cross

Calf Cross

OUR GARDENS

Pack a picnic, roll up a rug and venture to one of our country gardens where rain or shine you’ll see different flowers as the seasons change. Throughout the gardens, you’ll find a beautiful display of plants throughout the season.

CREGNEASH GARDENS

Explore our cottage gardens at Cregneash, where there is plenty to see throughout the seasons from wildflowers to fruit, ornamental, herbs and plants that can tough it out in exposed conditions which thrive in the village gardens. To visit the gardens, an admission ticket for Cregneash Village is required.

THE SPEAKER’S GARDEN

Visit the Speaker’s Garden in the shadows of Castle Rushen’s Curtain Wall. Originally formed as the castle moat dating to around AD1360, today the garden offers a peaceful stop in the heart of Castletown. Admission to the Speaker’s Garden is free of charge, with access available from Castletown Square or the harbour side.

THE GROVE MUSEUM GARDENS

Discover our impressive country garden at the Grove Museum, enjoy the woodland meadow and explore our beautiful walled garden. To visit the gardens, an admission ticket for the Grove Museum is required.

RUSHEN ABBEY

Enjoy naturalistic and abundantly biodiverse wildflower planting and herb gardens at Rushen Abbey, a vibrant spectacle for people and insects alike! To visit the garden, an admission ticket to Rushen Abbey is required.

VOLUNTEER

From raised beds to rose beds, we offer opportunities to volunteer in our gardens. To find out more email enquiries@mnh.im

BUY A PRINT

Buy limited edition, signed and exclusive prints by artists and illustrators in our gift shop at the Manx Museum or purchase prints by artists you admire from the National Art Collection manxnationalheritage.im/shop

Cregneash

Grove Museum, Ramsey

Rushen Abbey, Ballasalla

Cregneash

ISLE OF MAN

T he A yres

Maughold Cross Shelter

T he Gro ve Museum

Ramsey Maughold Head

P oint of A yre Sulb y

Yn T hie T hooit

Ellan Vannin

Cashtal yn Ar d

K erroogarroo

Bride Andreas Snaefell

J urb y

Cronk Sumark

North Barrule

Laxey Wheel

Laxey

T he Curr aghs

Ballaugh

Spoo yt V ane

Kirk Mic hael

King Orry’ s Gr av e

Cronk-y-V odd y

Slieau Ruy

St J ohns

P eel

ald Hill

House of Manannan P eel

Castl e

Laxey Wheel

Laxey

Slieau Ruy

Douglas Onc han

Manx Museum

ohns

St J

Tynw ald Hill

Sea T erminal

A Roads B Roads TT Cours e Railw ay s

Manx National Heritage Site Hill peak

Sta y Wi th Us

Ancient Sites Glens

Celtic & V iking Crosses

Dark Skies Disc ov ery Site

Nature Reserv e

T he Br aaid

South Barrule

Dalb y

Cronk ny Merriu

Ballasalla

Airpor t

Castleto wn

Derb y F ort

Balladoole

P ort St Mary

Castle Rushen Old House of K eys Nautical Museum Old Gr ammar Sc hoo l

Niarb yl Ba y

Eary Cushlin

Cregneash

Rushen Abbey Br adda Head

P ort Erin

T he Sound Mea yll Hill

Calf of Man

SUPPORT US

Manx National Heritage is an Isle of Man registered charity and looks after the Island’s most cherished places and spaces, including historic buildings, landscapes, archives and museum collections.

Your support in volunteering, visiting, shopping, fundraising, donating or leaving a legacy to Manx National Heritage is greatly appreciated and helps protect our heritage for the benefit of future generations.

Thank you for your support

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