The Isle of Man Adventure

The Isle of Man has a story for every season, but late summer is one of the best times to enjoy this idyllic destination. Discover glens and lush plantations on relaxed walks and visit sun-kissed beaches alive with wildlife. The island stretches 32 miles north to south and 14 miles east to west, and is packed with scenery, history and industrial gems, including a horse tram, the largest working waterwheel in the world, miniature railways and an offshore Viking castle. Humans have lived here since 6500 BC, and smugglers, pirates and Nordic invaders have all been common at various times in Manx history, with the evidence for them all about.

• You’ll be based in a 3-star hotel in Douglas for the extent of your holiday.
• Enjoy charter trips on the Manx Electric Railway, Groudle Glen Steam Railway, and the Isle of Man Railway.
• Visit the Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world, built by Victorian engineers in 1854.
• Ascend to the summit of Snaefell, the island’s only mountain, on its Mountain Railway.
• Follow the scenic roads of the famous Isle of Man TT course on a coach trip covering the length of the island.
• Visit the island towns of Ramsey in the north, and the seaside resort of Port Erin on the south of the island.
• Use your complimentary Go Explore Heritage Pass to explore all the island has to offer on your free days.
  

Friday 20th September
Avanti West Coast from London Euston to Heysham, ferry to Isle of Man

Your holiday will start from London’s Euston station. You’ll be greeted by the Tour Manager before departing on the West Coast Avanti service to Lancaster, at Lancaster you change trains and join a Northern rail service to Heysham. The Heysham train station is a few minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal, from where you travel in *premium lounge onboard the ferry to Douglas. Here you check in to the 3-star Hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to investigate Douglas at your leisure. Douglas is situated on the east coast of the Isle of Man and has been the island's capital since 1863. The sea front is lined with picturesque hotels and restaurants and there are plenty of shops to visit. A welcome dinner will be served in your hotel restaurant this evening. (B D)

Saturday 21st September
Great Laxey Wheel, Snaefell Mountain Railway
After breakfast you transfer to Derby Castle Station. On arrival, you take the historic Manx Electric Railway to Laxey. The railway was built between 1893 and 1899 and connects Douglas with Laxey in the east and Ramsey in the north. It’s also the longest narrow gauge vintage electric railway system in the British Isles and still uses original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. From Laxey station it’s a short walk to the Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world. She was built by Victorian engineers in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mines. A climb to the top is rewarded with panoramic views across the Laxey Valley. After the Wheel you’ll enjoy a return trip on the nearby Laxey Mine Railway. This restored railway runs along the surface section of the tramway which once carried lead and zinc ores from deep inside the Great Laxey Mine. Snaefell is the IOM’s only mountain, and its Mountain Railway will next take you to the summit where you can enjoy the views and buy refreshments. You then descend back to Douglas to take the Horse Tram to the Villa Marina stop, The horse tram is a quiet, eco-friendly way to enjoy the trip around the bay and seafront of Douglas. You then have a short walk back to your hotel where a three-course dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Sunday 22nd September
Manx Electric Railway, Groundle Glen Steam Railway
Following breakfast, you walk to the nearby Horse tram stop for the journey to Derby Castle station, so named because of the vast entertainment complex of the same name that used to be sited nearby. You then take the Manx Electric Railway, this time to Groudle Glen, two miles north of Douglas on the coast road. On arrival you walk to Groudle Glen Steam Railway for a full round trip of this narrow gauge (610 mm) railway, owned and operated by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers. Afterwards a group lunch is served in the tearoom. You depart Groudle Glen by Manx Electric Railway heading to Ramsey, on the north of the island. You will have free time to explore Ramsey, perhaps visiting the Grove Museum of Victorian Life, Milntown House and Gardens, or simply strolling along the seafront. Later you return to Douglas and a 3-course dinner served in the hotel restaurant. (B L D)

Monday 23rd September
Coach Tour of the Isle of Man, Jurby Transport Museum
Today you experience an exclusive coach tour travelling down the scenic roads of the famous TT race course. Your coach first takes you from your hotel in Douglas to the Calf of Man on the south tip of the island, with photo stops on the way. The Calf of Man is a small island separated from the mainland by the Calf Sound. Travel along the beautiful west coast of Man to the town of Peel. Your excursion includes a visit to the 11th century Castle Peel, a ruined castle originally built by the Vikings, sited on St Patrick’s Isle, which is connected to the town by a causeway. You’ll have a group lunch in a nearby restaurant before continuing by coach to Curraghs wildlife park, and a private charter trip on its miniature railway. You then travel to the Point of Ayre to view and take pictures of the lighthouse. Here you are at the Island’s most northerly tip and closer to Scotland (14 miles) than you are to Douglas! You travel back southwest to visit the Jurby Transport Museum. Dinner is once more at your hotel in the evening. (B D)

Tuesday 24th September
Free Day to Explore Isle of Man using your Travel Pass
You are free today to use your railway rover to revisit any of the railways you have already seen (Isle of Man Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway). Why not visit the fascinating Cregneash Medieval Village or you can use the time to relax and explore the island at your own pace. Dominated by sky and sea, the island has a stunning natural landscape with everything from rolling hills to patchwork fields and sheltered bays. Today is an ideal opportunity to take some unique and memorable photos. You can also use your visitor’s pass to enjoy any of the included island attractions. Dinner is again served in your hotel restaurant. (B D)

Wednesday 25th September
Isle of Man Railway, Castle Rushen
Your tour gathers in the hotel reception after breakfast, and you transfer from the hotel to the Isle of Man Railway. Your first stop is Castletown for a visit to the Old House of Keys and the mediaeval Castle Rushen, once used as a prison before being restored, and now a Manx National Heritage site. Afterwards you continue on the Isle of Man Railway to Port Erin, a lovely seaside resort on the south of the island. On arrival you’re free to explore the area at your leisure. The heart of the village is around Station Road and Church Road. There are shops, cafes, bars and activities operating from Shore Road by the beach, with views to the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland past Bradda Head. At Port Erin Railway Museum, you’ll discover the history of the Island’s steam railways over the last 140 years. You can then enjoy multiple rides on the different engines and services with your complimentary rail rover tickets. You then return to Douglas and a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Thursday 26th September
Ferry from Isle of Man, Northern Rail from Heysham to Lancaster, Avanti West Coast from Lancaster to London Euston
After breakfast at the hotel, you check out and transfer to the ferry terminal. Your ferry departs Douglas at 08.45 am and arrives Heysham ferry port. From Heysham port you join the ^Northern Rail service to Lancaster, where you change trains to take the Avanti West Coast Service to London Euston for an approximated arrival of 17.00 hrs. (B)