Isle of Man Tourist Attractions

Onchan Pleasure Park

Onchan, Isle of Man
Tel: 01624 675564

This park offers any visitor a great day out. There are many things to do and the facilities are suitable for the whole family.

Several activities are free of charge and many visitors enjoy picnics and access to the large children's play area. The park also hosts a number of interesting events throughout the year.

Motorboats, Bumper boats, Putting, Crazy Golf, Miniature Golf, Swing Ball, Battery Operated Kiddie Cars, Mini Marina, Crown Bowls, Flat Bowls, Tennis, Lady Tavernier's Playground.

   
Onchan Park - Photo:IOM Tourism

This is a 2ft gauge steam railway which was opened in 1896 originally to cater for the tourists who were visiting the area in ever increasing numbers.
 

It runs from Groudle Glen, just east of Onchan for three quarters of a mile around the  headland to Sea Lion Cove where there are plenty of picnic spots, cliff-top walks, sea views and a small café.
 

For connections, both buses and the Manx Electric Railway trams stop at Groudle Glen and the railway station is just a short walk away.

Groudle Glen Station   -  Photo: IOM Tourism
 

Isle of Man Steam Railway

Tel: 01624 663366

This 3ft gauge railway runs for just over 15 miles from Douglas to Port Erin and is the last remaining line of a network that once covered several other routes in Victorian times. Even so, it is still the longest narrow-gauge railway in the British Isles and its rolling stock dates from the 1870s so you can really travel back in time.
 

From Douglas, the train passes through Port Soderick, Santon, Ballasalla, Ronaldsway, Castletown, Ballabeg, Colby, Level, Port St Mary to reach Port Erin.

Douglas Station   -  Photo: IOM Tourism

It provides an excellent way to  explore some of the attractive towns and villages on the southern part of the island and at Port Erin is the Railway Museum with its extensive collection of historic locomotives and rolling stock.

Manx Electric Railway

Tel: 01624 663366
Web: www.mers.org.im/welcome.html

The Manx Electric Railway is a narrow-gauge tramway which first opened in 1893 running from Douglas to Laxey but eventually extended to Ramsey. All the trams running today are original, all built between 1893 and 1906.

The route from Douglas to Ramsey has stops at: Onchan, Groudle, Baldrine, Balla Beg, Fairy Cottage, South Cape, Laxey, Minorca, Dhoon, Glen Mona, Ballaglass, Cornaa, Ballajora, and Ballure. Many of these are by request and passengers notify the conductor of required stops.

Manx Electric Railway trams at Laxey
Photo: IOM Tourism

From terminus to terminus takes around 90 minutes with many magnificent views of sea and countryside along the way. The railway was built to cater for tourists and there is usually a choice of indoor or outdoor seating

Snaefell Mountain Railway

Tel: 01624 675222

Snaefell is the only mountain on the island and, apart from walking, the only way to the summit (2036 ft) is by the Snaefell Mountain Railway. This is single-track and runs for four miles from Laxey to the summit.

Built in 1895, the steepest part of the track has an incline of 1 in 12 and caliper brakes grip a central rail to help control decent.

There is only one stop midway on the journey for those who wish to join the train half way.

Snaefell Mountain Railway
Photo: IOM Tourism

During the journey, passengers can enjoy views of some ot the island's magnificent scenery. From the summit, on a clear day, Manx tradition says you can see six kingdoms - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Mann and the Kingdom of God.

The Summit Cafe provides refreshments and is especially welcome for those who have walked!.

The Isle of Man is the perfect place for walking.
 

There are many footpaths to offer visitors, from the long distance Raad ny Foillan (Road of the Gull) coastal footpath and the Island-long Millennium Way, to others including Bayr ny Skeddan (Herring Road) and the old Railway Lines.
 

Shorter paths also run  through villages, towns and the country-side.

The Sound Visitor Centre, Cregneash, The Sound
Tel: 01624 838123
Web: www.gov.im

on the southwest of the island on Mull Hill, is accessible from the Port St Mary to Port Erin road.

This modern building with glass walls and a turf roof houses a cafe with seating for 40 diners and additional seating on the outside terrace.

There is also an exhibition giving information about Calf Sound including an auto/video presentation.

    
Sound Cafe overlooking Calf of Man - Photo: IOM Tourism

From the Centre, there are some excellent views of the Calf of Man and some pleasant walks around the sound.

There are outside eating areas and a car park located just outside the visitor centre providing excellent disabled access.