Private Group Tours to the Isle of Man

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Travel to the Isle of Man

Travel by train or coach to Heysham for the ferry crossing to Douglas, arriving late afternoon. You will be met at the Douglas Sea Terminal for a private transfer to the Welbeck Hotel.

Day 2 – Isle of Man Steam Railway

Step back in time for a wonderful journey and experience the grandeur of travelling between Douglas and the south of the Island on a Victorian railway, perfectly frozen in time. Travel a short distance by private coach to the steam railway station for the journey to Port Erin, where you will be met by private transport for a visit to Cregneash. Cregneash is a living illustration of a farming and crofting community from the 19th and early 20th Centuris. Observe plough horses, Loghtan sheep, shorthorn cows, pigs and Manx cats. Return to the station to travel back as far as Castletown for a visit to Castle Rushen, one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. The return journey continues by steam train before a private transfer back to the hotel

Day 3 – Peel

Private transfer by road from the hotel to St John’s and see the Church of St John, the original seat of the Isle of Man Government, before continuing to the fishing town of Peel. Visit Peel Castle, the fort of Magnus Barefoot, 11th Century Viking King of Mann, and the House of Manannan, to learn about the Island’s rich Celtic, Viking and Maritime past.

Later, transfer by road to Ramsay to visit the gardens at Milntown and cream tea perhaps. There are 15 acres of gardens and woodlands to explore in this historic setting. Throughout the gardens there are many excellent specimens of rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias and many other species too, all of which produce a dazzling display of blooms from early spring right through to summer. N.B - Two mobility scooters are available for use in the gardens on request.

The Milntown House is the most historic house on the Isle of Man. Once the home of the Christian family, Milntown has been a school, hotel and privately owned before being left in trust for the benefit of the Manx people and visitors to the Isle of Man. House tours of Milntown are available for a minimum of 15 people. They take place over more than one floor of the house and last approximately 1hr 15mins.

Return to Douglas on the Manx Electric Railway, an unforgettable journey along the east coast of this unique Island on a railway which dates back over 100 years.

Day 4 – Laxey

Board the Manx Electric Railway for the short ride to Laxey. There will be time to visit The Great Laxey Wheel or Lady Isabella (as she is also known), the largest working waterwheel in the world, before boarding the Snaefell Mountain Railway for a ride to the summit. This is a unique Victorian enterprise which winds its way up 2,000ft to the top of Snaefell. Snaefell is the Island's only mountain, its summit is 2036ft (621 metres) above sea level. Return to Douglas on the Manx Electric Railway.

Day 5 – At Leisure

A day at leisure to spend as you wish. A Go Explore pass gives unlimited travel on the Manx Electric Railway, Isle of Man Steam Railway, Snaefell Railway and most buses so you have a great choice of places to visit. Members of the National Trust or English Heritage receive free entry to many sites on the Island, and for anyone else we will include Heritage Explore passes which include unlimited entry to the same sites.

Day 6 – Return Home

A private transfer will take you back to Douglas Sea Terminal for your ferry back to England, arriving at Heysham at lunchtime.