Manx Heritage & Historical Sites – Roy Cottage Self-catering Accommodation Isle of Man | Holiday Cottage Castletown IOM

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There are a wealth of Historical and Heritage sites in and Around Castletown, but Roy Cottage can be a base to discover much more on the Island. Here are a selection of some of the most popular Manx Heritage sites, Isle of Man Museums, Landmarks and Sites of Historic importance.

In the South of the Island you can visit Rushen Abbey with it’s enchanting the medieval ruins or travel west, along to the Isle of Man National Folk Museum at Cregneash – the village locked in time where the people live in thatched cottages and speak the native Manx language.

In Douglas, the Island’s capital, you can get a good overview of the Island’s history with the ‘Story of Mann’ by Manx National Heritage which begins at the Manx Museum, and unfolds throughout many historic sites and museums throughout the island.

Continue north to Laxey where you will find the iconic Laxey Wheel, over 70ft high, which you can climb and view the surrounding countryside. Also in Laxey are the Laxey Woollen Mills, a traditional Manx working factory producing Manx tartan. Further north in Ramsey is Grove House Museum, the Victorian home frozen in time.

To the west of the Island you can visit the stunning Peel Castle on St. Patrick’s Isle where tales of vikings, monks, and a ghost dog are told. While you’re here you should visit the House of Manannan and find out about the history of the Celts and Vikings and more. Just next door there is the Kipper Factory where you can take a tour and find our how kippers are made, for another very Manx experience.

Whichever direction you travel, there’s plenty of layers of history to explore in the Isle of Man!

Rushen Abbey, Ballasalla

In 1134, King Olaf I gave land for an Abbey and was originally a home for monks was developed as the Isle of Man’s seat of religious power housing the main body of knowledge and literacy for the Island.

Nowadays, the Abbey Gardens the provide the perfect place for a stroll round the remains of substantial medieval buildings, blossom trees and an array of herbs and flowers. It is a peaceful setting and a perfect location for a picnic. You can also follow the footpath beyond the Abbey to the 14th century Monk’s Bridge in the nearby Silverdale Glen.

In the interpretation centre Visitors can follow the family friendly ‘Monky Business’ activities including throwing a pot on the potter’s wheel, making sounds of the Abbey, discovering medieval medicine and the fruit picking challenge in the Jam Factory.

+44 1624 648000

The National Folk Museum at Cregneash

Cregneash, located south of Port St. Mary, was one of the last strongholds of the Manx language and customs which characterised the traditional crofting way of life. The National Folk Museum at Cregneash, a living museum of a Manx upland crofting community including thatched cottages and farm buildings illustrating a traditional way of life around the 19th and early 20th century.

You may see some indigenous Manx animal breeds such as the four horned Loghtan sheep, Manx cats with no tails as well as plough horses, shorthorn cows and pigs.

+44 1624 834993

The Manx Museum, Douglas

The perfect place to discover Manx history and culture, and begin your journey around our fascinating Island. There is something for all ages inside this large and well presented national museum.

The Island’s 10,000 year history is presented through film, galleries and interactive displays. From the wonders of our natural world, our Viking and Celtic past, to a Victorian holiday destination, to road racing legends.

Here is housed the national art collection, the National Library & Archive and the latest exhibitions. There is also an elegant cafe and large Heritage Shop near the museum exit doors.

+44 1624 648000

The Great Laxey Wheel

Situated in the East of the Island, The Great Laxey Wheel or Lady Isabella (as she is also known), was built in 1854 and turns majestically in the peaceful Glen Mooar Valley, where she proudly stands as the largest surviving working waterwheel in the world. She is an impressive structure and has remained one of the Island’s most dramatic tourist attractions for over 150 years. A climb to the top is rewarded with panoramic views across the Laxey Valley.

+44 1624 861136

Laxey Woollen Mills

A traditional working Manx woollen mill and shop where you can see genuine Manx tweed being woven on double-width and power looms. Best known for their Manx Tartans and used to make a variety of items from hats, scarves and kilt skirts to capes and rugs, the Mill was founded by John Ruskin in 1881.

Upstairs, is the Hodgson Loom Art Gallery, which was the old Loomery, now hosts monthly exhibitions by the vast array of artists living and working on the Isle of Man.

+44 1624 861395

Grove Museum of Victorian Life, Ramsey

The Grove Museum of Victorian Life tells the story of the Gibbs, a wealthy merchant family from Liverpool and their family home. The Gibb sisters, Alice and Janet lived "a frugal but spirited life" and continued to live in the house until their deaths in the 1970’s.

Beautifully preserved to provide an intriguing insight into life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, including the servant’s quarters. Outside, there is vintage farm equipment, a country garden, Manx Loaghtan sheep, ducks, chickens and a working beehive.

+44 1624 812686

Tynwald Hill, St. John's

This four-tiered hill which measures around 12 feet high,is one of the Island’s most distinctive landmarks and is thought to be made from piles of stones bonded together with soil from all of the Island’s 17 ancient parishes.

It is a symbol of the Isle of Man’s independence as a self-governing crown dependency. On Manx National Day (normally the 5th of July), the Island’s parliament have an open air meeting at Tynwald Hill which it is believed was established by Norse Viking settlers over a thousand years ago. The hill thought to have been built in the 13th century, making the Isle of Man parliament the oldest continuous parliament in the world.

Inside a small building next to the Chapel of St John lies the Tynwald Exhibition marking the traditions of the site

Peel Castle

Set on St Patrick’s Isle and overlooking picturesque Peel harbour is the Island’s majestic fortress, Peel Castle.

St. Patrick’s Isle was once home to Christian missionaries, Viking warriors and kings and the impressive fortress dominating the Isle was a royal residence, centre of government and military stronghold.

Wander the extensive grounds and climb to the top of the Gatehouse Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of Peel and out to the Irish Sea, where you may even be lucky enough to spot the local seals and basking sharks which are often seen nearby.

+44 1624 648090

House of Manannan, Peel

Named for Manannan, the Island's great mythological sea god and protector, this interactive heritage centre uses audio, video and state-of-the-art display techniques to show how early Manx Celts and Viking settlers shaped the Island’s history, and it's maritime past. It traces the Island's origins as the centre of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles, through to the busy fishing ports of the 19th Century and the beginnings of the Island's Steam Packet Company.

It includes a reconstruction of a Celtic roundhouse, a Viking longhouse, the replica Viking ship Odin’s Raven that was sailed from Norway in 1979 as well as a walk around the sailmakers loft, chandlers shop, quayside and Manx kipper yard.

+44 1624 648090

Moore's Kipper Yard Tours, Peel

The Isle of Man has a long history of herring curing. Moore's Traditional Curers to this day continues the tradition of real Manx Kippers, smoked in the original factory chimneys with oak and wood chips.

Moore's is a family business and a working factory and shop. As the last of these traditional curing yards, it is now a living museum and visitors are invited to experience a working display of the entire kipper making process. Their shop is next to the factory and carries a variety of fresh sea food.

+44 1624 843622

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