Isle of Man hotels

Hotels in Isle of Man

Proud of their semi-autonomous relationship with England and the unique culture that's been fostered on the island since before 6,500 BC, residents of the Isle of Man are full of stories to tell about Viking burial grounds and ancient councils. Isle of Man hotels offer their guests access to this distinct and engaging island.

History

One of the main attractions for visitors to the Isle of Man is the chance to come into contact with the ancient monuments dotted around the island. Balladoole, close to Castletown, is an ancient burial ground and past excavations have uncovered prehistoric flints, Iron Age earthworks, early Christian lintel graves and even a Viking boat.

Head to Meayll Hill and you'll encounter a Neolithic passage grave, Cashtal yn Ard. One of the best-preserved tombs of the period, the grave was originally a communal burial place for Neolithic chieftans. Explore the island's churches and graveyards and you'll discover the Manx Stone Cross Collection, encompassing around 200 different Celtic stones and monuments dating between the 6th and 13th century. One of the best places to see the stones is Maughold Church, which was the site of a Christian monastery in 600 AD.

Nature

The landscape is the Isle of Man is famed for its natural beauty and the island boasts some awe-inspiriting coastal and mountainous beauty spots. Make your way to Niarbyl Visitor Centre on the west of the island to see a tail of rocks jutting out into the Irish Sea. If you get lucky you might be able to spot dolphins, seals or sharks in the surrounding water, and the path here leads to an 8th century chapel.

Hop on a steam train at Port Erin and you'll be whisked away to the tranquil Bradda Glen, featuring a monument to the philanthropist William Milner and a café where you can relax with a good book and gaze over the dramatic shoreline.

Ayres Visitor Centre on the northern tip of the island is another great place to spot animals in their natural habitat, with a trail that encompasses a shingle beach, dunes and heathland. Also to the north of the island is Milntown where you'll find secluded gardens and woodland.

Motorsports

The island hosts the famous TT and Manx Grand Prix Races, making it a mecca for motorsports enthusiasts. Away from these big events there's plenty of other activities for petrol-heads to enjoy, including Go-Karting and island Trike Tours that take you on a range of organised routes including around the TT Mountain Course. If you're travelling with your own bike, you can put it to the test on open track day at the 1.5 mile Jurby Autodrome circuit.

Food and drink

After all that outdoor activity, unwind in the evening with traditional local dishes in one of the island's many restaurants and pubs. For seafood lovers, locally fished Manx Kippers and Manx Queen Scallops are a treat for the taste buds. Loaghtan Lamb is another locally sourced meat, which you'll be able to find it in most restaurants.