Isle of Man & The Laxey Wheel

A storied history and incredible sights await us on the beautiful Isle of Man, where we enjoy a break packed full of scenic train journeys, sweeping natural landscapes and a friendly atmosphere. On this five-day getaway, we experience some of the island's best features with excursions to the pretty seaside towns of Ramsey and Peel, as well as the magnificent Laxey Wheel, a grand feat of Victorian engineering which is still in operation today. We also travel on the vintage Manx Electric Railway and the mountain-climbing Snaefell Mountain Railway, which takes us to the summit of the island's highest peak to enjoy the spectacular views.What's Included?
- Return coach travel & ferry crossings- 4 nights at the Hydro Hotel, Douglas (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast- After-dinner tea & coffee- Excursions to Laxey Wheel, Ramsey & Peel- Heritage train journeys on the Manx Electric Railway & the Snaefell Mountain RailwayOptional excursion to Port Erin & Castletown (£14pp)

Itinerary
Included excursions\n\nManx Electric Railway, Laxey Wheel & Snaefell Mountain RailwayWe take a trip on the historic Manx Electric Railway, which still uses its original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. From Douglas, our train journeys along the scenic east coast with views of the beautiful Manx countryside on one side and far-reaching vistas beyond the stunning cliffs on the other. We disembark in Laxey to visit the Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world and known colloquially as the Lady Isabella. Admire this feat of Victorian engineering as we watch the mighty wheel turn and can even climb to the top for panoramic scenes from across the Glen Mooar Valley. \n\nFrom here we join the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles. Dating from 1895, electric-powered trains take passengers over 2,000ft up to the summit of Snaefell, the Isle of Man's highest point. Here we enjoy superb scenery, and if it's a clear day, can even catch a glimpse of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales!\nRamsey & Peel Our half-day excursion first takes us to the peaceful port town of Ramsey, the island's second-largest town, sheltered against the magnificent backdrop of the North Barrule hills. Home to masses of sand and shingle beach, the town also boasts one of the biggest harbours on the island.\n\nWe then travel to Peel, a charming fishing port with a history spanning hundreds of years. Located on the west coast, Peel is renowned for its narrow lanes crammed with fishermen's cottages, the striking red sandstone that was used to build its castle and its views that stretch out all the way to Ireland's Mountains of Mourne.Optional Excursion to Port Erin & Castletown (£14pp)On our optional excursion, we start the day with a visit to delightful Port Erin, a peaceful town with pretty gardens and a sandy beach that was first favoured by Victorian holidaymakers. Next we travel to the island's southernmost tip to enjoy a brief photo stop at The Sound. Here we have the opportunity to catch a snap of the local wildlife, from sunbathing seals on the rocks to basking sharks and dolphins in the blue waters below. For our final destination of the day, we journey to Castletown, the original capital of the Isle of Man. Explore the highlights of this historic town which offers many must-see features, from the busy, yacht-filled harbour, the beach and the imposing Castle Rushen which has been called 'one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the world'.

Isle of Man
Located between England and Ireland in the Irish Sea and with a strong Viking heritage, the Isle of Man is a unique land of scenic beauty and cultural traditions.\n\nFrom the stronghold of Castle Rushen to breathtaking position of the ruined Peel Castle, the island is full of ancient buildings and sites that speak to its Celtic roots which evolved as it became a Viking territory right up to modern day where it currently exists as a self-governing British Crown Dependency. The Isle of Man has its own currency and native language which was the subject of a massive effort to preserve in the early 20th century and led to a limited resurgence in Manx Gaelic speakers.\n\nFor those who love a more traditional way of travelling, the island is home to a wide collection of heritage railways such as the Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway as well as the charming Manx Electric Railway and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, the oldest horse-drawn passenger tramway in service in the world.


Laxey Wheel
Affectionately known as Lady Isabella, the Isle of Man's Laxey Wheel is the world's largest working waterwheel. Set high upon the hill overlooking the village of Laxey, the wheel was built in 1854 to pump away water from the Great Laxey Mines.
Today the wheel is maintained by Manx National Heritage and its unique design has become such an icon of the Isle of Man that it features on their £20 notes.

Ramsey & Peel
Ramsey\n\nThe charming coastal town of Ramsey is the second largest town on the Isle of Man and is sometimes known as “Royal Ramsey” due to the visits from the English monarchy such as Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. Located on the north coast of the island and set beneath the slopes of the North Barrule, the island's second highest peak, Ramsey offers a large bustling harbour and has miles of sandy beaches to enjoy. Ramsey is also home to the 135-year-old Queens Pier which is the only iron pier on the island and is now open to the public once again due to restoration efforts from the local community.
\n\nPeel
The historic town of Peel is a small fishing port with a big personality! This unassuming location is a must-see destination for any visitor to the island. The town's most striking feature is Peel Castle, an 11th-century Viking castle situated on the nearby St Patrick's Isle which is open to visitors in the summer months. Like many of Peel's buildings, the castle was constructed with the distinctive local red sandstone which gave rise to Peel being referred to as the 'Rose Red City' and 'Sunset City' due to its position on the west of the island.
Peel has a strong history of fishing and shipbuilding and this can be seen in the quaint fisherman's cottages that line the narrow streets today. The town's cultural link with its Viking heritage is represented in the House of Manannan Museum which among many artefacts, houses the replica Viking longship Odin's Beard which was built in Norway and sailed to Peel in the 1970s.

Manx Electric Railway & Snaefell Mountain Railway
Manx Electric RailwayDishing up plenty of vintage charm, the Isle of Man's Manx Electric Railway is the perfect way to take in the contrasting views of countryside and coast. Since opening in the 1890s, the railway continues to use famous Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock, which include two of the oldest regularly operated tram cars in the entire world! Enjoy a slice of history and soak up the scenery during our journey from Douglas to Laxey.Snaefell Mountain Railway Ready to experience some seriously breath-taking views? Then our excursion on the Snaefell Mountain Railway is for you! Venturing over 2000 feet up to the summit of Snaefell (the highest point of the Isle of Man) this is a rare chance to enjoy a trip on the one and only electric mountain railway in the British Isles.Hydro Hotel, Douglas Hydro Hotel, Douglas
The Hydro Hotel is an elegant period hotel located right on the seafront in the island's capital of Douglas. The hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms, a bar and restaurant. From its promenade vantage point, there are views across the bay of Douglas, which is also home to St Mary's Isle, a partially submerged reef. (JG2 rating)