Nostalgic Little Trains of the Isle of Man - Manchester

Mystical, captivating and beautiful, the Isle of Man is a unique destination peppered with enchanting stone churches, castles and forts, tangled trees and twisty trails, adding to the magical atmosphere of this sea-bound land. The Isle of Man also boasts several impressive heritage railways, offering nostalgic journeys for us to take in this dramatic Manx scenery, plus a traditional horse-drawn tramway along the seafront in Douglas. Step back in time as we experience the best of the Isle of Man's sights and attractions during this relaxing week, uncovering the secrets of this extraordinary island and exploring its rich heritage.
What's Included?
- Return flights to the Isle of Man- Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)- Airport transfers on the Isle of Man- 6 nights at the Hydro Hotel, Douglas (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast- After-dinner tea & coffee- Entertainment some evenings- Excursions to Laxey Wheel, Ramsey, Peel, Castletown, Port Erin & Cregneash Folk Village- Journey on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway- Heritage train journeys on the Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway & Isle of Man Steam Railway

Itinerary
Day 1We fly to the Isle of Man and transfer to our hotel in Douglas, the capital of the island.\n\nDay 2 - Day at leisure in Douglas\n\nDay 3 - Manx 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.\nDay 4 - Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, Ramsey & PeelThis morning we step back in time and enjoy a ride on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway along Douglas Promenade. The horse trams have been in existence since 1876 on the Isle of Man and have carried plenty of royal visitors, including Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.We continue 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.Next stop is 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 used to build its castle and the views of the Mountains of Mourne.\n\nDay 5 - Day at leisure in Douglas\n\nDay 6 - Castletown, Port Erin, Cregneash & Isle of Man Steam RailwayAfter some free time in Castletown, the original capital of the island, we journey to Port Erin, a peaceful town with pretty gardens and a sandy beach that was first favoured by Victorian holidaymakers. Next is a brief photo stop at The Sound at the island's southern tip, a hotspot for local wildlife, from sunbathing seals on the rocks to basking sharks and dolphins in the blue waters below. Continuing with more Isle of Man highlights, we discover the fascinating living museum of Cregneash Folk Village, one of the last settlements on the island that embraces the native Manx culture. Here we explore the crofting way of life in a carefully maintained village full of white, thatched cottages and period workshops, with painstaking displays of traditional practices and residents continue to use the old local dialect.We end the day with a scenic trip from Port St Mary, a beautiful small harbour, back to Douglas on the well-preserved, narrow-gauge Isle of Man Steam Railway. As the island's oldest Victorian rail system, this journey offers a mesmerising glimpse into the golden age of steam in restored vintage carriages, travelling through glorious countryside, sparkling shorelines, past quaint towns and charming fishing ports.\n\nDay 7We transfer to the island's airport for our return flight home.

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.


Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway & Isle of Man Steam Railway
Manx Electric Railway
Dishing 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.

Isle of Man Steam Railway
All aboard for a truly nostalgic journey on the Isle of Man Steam Railway! This narrow-gauge railway stretches its way through the island's gorgeous countryside, where its original carriages and locomotives have been tootling their way along since 1873! This is a lovely way to step back in time as you gaze out at the glittering coastline peppered with charming fishing ports and picturesque towns.


Castletown, Port Erin & Cregneash Folk Village
Castletown
The striking and ancient town of Castletown is the former capital of the Isle of Man located on the south of the island. The distinctive feel of this historic town is characterised by its narrow streets, tiny fishing cottages and a rugged harbour all set around the imposing Castle Rushen, one of the best examples of a medieval castle in Europe.

Port Erin
The sleepy seaside resort of Port Erin is a charming village located in the southwest of the Isle of Man. It's easy to see why Port Erin has been a firm favourite with visitors for many years due to its relaxed atmosphere, picturesque west-facing sandy beach (the best place for watching those glorious sunsets) and stunning sea views framed by the rugged coastline.

Cregneash Folk Village
Tucked away in the southwest of the Isle of Man lies the Cregneash Living Museum, a small village dedicated to preserving the history of the area and the traditional Manx way of living. From the thatched cottages to the Victorian farming and fishing tools, and even the clothing worn by the workers in the central museum, everything in Cregneash is faithful to the 19th-century methods of living.
The museum is a treasure trove of information regarding the cultural and historical identity of the island and allows visitors to see many of these rural activities such as smithing and weaving performed by experts in the authentic way.
The village also features an exhibition about the Manx language, which offers a fascinating look at the efforts by Gregneash to ensure the preservation of the island's native tongue.

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.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.