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Isle of Man Steam Railway A Taste of the Isle of Man
Cregneash Folk Park Magical Man: Trains, Traditions & Treasures With its long Celtic heritage, gorgeous scenery, old towns and vintage attractions, the Isle of Man has plenty for everyone who loves history and natural beauty. This comprehensive tour focus on the island’s rich traditions, with journeys on its famous Steam Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway, visits to Cregneash Folk Park and the Isle of Man Motor Museum, and time to stroll the gardens at Milntown. PACKAGED ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival We take the ferry from Heysham and travel onwards to our hotel. Day 2 Cregneash & Isle of Man Steam Railway Today we explore the Isle of Man’s south coast, remembering to greet the fairies who promise good luck as we cross the famous Fairy Bridge! We have the option to visit Castletown, the island’s ancient capital, to see historic sites such as its Old Grammar School, Nautical Museum and Rushen Abbey before exploring Cregneash Folk Park. Costumed guides show us around the cottages of this restored 19th-century crofting village to illustrate the lives of bygone crofters. Next, we visit The Sound nature reserve, home to seabird and seal colonies and an excellent café with views to the Calf of Man. After continuing to Port Erin where we visit the railway museum, we take a one-way trip aboard the Isle of Man Steam Railway to Douglas. The rest of the day is at leisure in Douglas, where we can experience attractions like the Manx Museum and the town’s After a leisurely breakfast we take a journey on the Manx Electric Railway , a classic electric tramway that traces the island’s east coast to Laxey. Here, we board the Snaefell Mountain Railway for the scenic 5-mile climb to the summit of Snaefell Mountain, where we disembark to admire the sweeping island views. We have time for a spot of lunch (not included) at the summit before taking the train down and driving back to Laxey. There is time here to visit The Great Laxey Wheel, the world’s largest working waterwheel, before returning to our hotel. Please note: we have not included admission to the Laxey Wheel as reaching it requires a steep 5–10-minute walk from the coach parks, and admission is free for National Trust and English Heritage members. Day 4 Isle of Man Motor Museum & Milntown House and Gardens Today we are met by our step-on guide as we follow the iconic TT racecourse. We head north first to Jurby, where we visit the fascinating Isle of Man Motor Museum . The impressive collection of more than 500 vehicles from around the world includes classic cars, steam cars and rare motorcycles. Highlights include a 1902 Columbia Electric car, a 1953 Humber Super Snipe tourer used by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their Coronation Commonwealth tour. Next, we travel to ‘Royal Ramsey’, a harbour town backed by the North Barrule Hills, where we enjoy free time for lunch and a peek into the Fynoderee Gin Shop. This afternoon we make our way to Milntown House & Gardens , where we can stroll amid the beautiful 15-acre gardens. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we head home on the morning ferry. iconic horse-drawn tramway, which trundles along the promenade. Day 3 Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway & Laxey
This unique tour reveals the flavours and fineries of the Isle of Man, set like a jewel in the Irish Sea. As well as riding its celebrated small trains, including the Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway, we explore this ancient isle to experience pretty towns like Ramsey and Peel, trace the iconic TT racecourse, and savour its spirits and ‘Pie in the Sky’. PACKAGED ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival We take the ferry from Heysham and travel onwards to our hotel. Day 2 Steam & Smoke After breakfast we embark on a one-way trip aboard the Isle of Man Steam Railway to the resort of Port Erin where we enjoy a visit to the local railway museum . We then make the short journey to the protected nature reserve of The Sound. This stunning coastal location is a haven for seabird and seal colonies, and boasts an excellent café with fabulous views to the Calf of Man. We have time at leisure for lunch here before continuing by coach to Peel, the hub of the Isle of Man fishing industry. We have time free in the town to browse the shops, explore Peel Castle (not included) and visit Devereau’s, the only remaining smoked kipper factory on the island. Day 3 Rails & ‘Pie in the Sky’ After a leisurely breakfast, we ride the Manx Electric Railway, a classic electric tramway which runs along the island’s east coast, to Laxey. Here, we board the Snaefell Mountain Railway for a climb to the summit of Snaefell Mountain, where we can admire spectacular island views. After returning by train to The Bungalow station, we head for the nearby Victory Café, a quirky canteen-style pitstop set in an ex-Cold War ‘rotor’ Radar Station overlooking the 31st Milestone of the iconic Isle of Man TT Racecourse. (As there is a 150-metre uphill walk to the Victory Café, we recommend the driver meeting passengers at the tram stop also drive them to the café). We tuck into the café’s popular ‘Pie in the Sky’ before driving back to Laxey. Here we can visit The Great Laxey Wheel - nicknamed the ‘Lady Isabella’ - the world’s largest working waterwheel, before returning to our hotel. Please note: we have not included admission to the Laxey Wheel as reaching it requires a steep 5–10-minute walk from the coach parks, and admission is free for National Trust and English Heritage members. Day 4 Taste of the TT & Douglas Today we follow the Isle of Man’s iconic TT racecourse. We head clockwise on the circuit from Douglas via Kirk Michael and Ballaugh towards ‘Royal Ramsey’, where we visit the Fynoderee Distillery. After a refreshing ‘Fyn & Tonic’, we then embark on a behind-the-scenes distillery tour . Next, we follow the mountain road to a racecourse landmark: The Famous Creg-Ny-Baa pub-restaurant, where we have afternoon tea before returning to Douglas. With the remainder of the day at leisure here, we may want to visit the Manx Museum to chart the island’s 10,000-year-old history or ride the vintage horse-drawn tramway along the promenade. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we head home on the morning ferry.
Please note: These itineraries include several rail journeys which may not work as planned with your arrival day. Please ask the sales team about changing itinerary days if required. The Snaefell Railway is subject to timetables & Fynoderee Distillery is open Monday - Saturday only, so days may need to be swapped depending on day of arrival. Ferry crossings to the Isle of Man are restricted to coaches of 13.5m maximum.
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