![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/09\/Bradda-Isle-of-Man-de4face.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Isle of Man Ferry<\/h2>\n
Most people travel to the Isle of Man on the Steam Packet<\/a> ferry, which allows you to tour the Isle of Man in your own car. The Steam Packet Company operates services to Douglas from Heysham in Lancashire, Liverpool, Dublin and Belfast. The journey from Liverpool takes around 3\u00bd hours with fares varying. At 192 years old, it\u2019s the world\u2019s oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company.<\/p>\n Contrary to popular belief, there\u2019s no ban on caravans in the Isle of Man, although you do have to apply for a permit from the Island\u2019s Department of Local Government and the Environment with details of your stay.<\/p>\n You can fly to the Isle of Man<\/a> from more than 20 airports across the UK, and you can hire a car from the airport at Ronaldsway or use the extensive public transport network.<\/p>\n The Isle of Man isn\u2019t part of the UK or the European Union. It is a Crown Dependency of the UK \u00a0\u2013 a self-governing possession of the British Crown, such as Jersey and Guernsey \u2013 meaning it has its own government and laws, but it also has a close relationship with the UK.<\/p>\n Despite not being part of the UK, there\u2019s a familiar feel to the place. The islanders drive on the left side of the road; there are British-looking buses, and the road signs and traffic lights are the same as on the mainland.<\/p>\n But there is one major difference. The pace of life in the Isle of Man is calmer, more laid back. There\u2019s no need to rush here, as it takes under an hour to get pretty much anywhere on the island. Another difference is the prevalence of the Manx language, albeit more in the written form. A legacy of the early Irish settlers, Manx has its origins in Gaelic and is an important part of the island\u2019s Celtic culture and heritage.<\/p>\n The only invaders these days are the thousands of tourists who make the crossing to experience the island\u2019s unique charm and atmosphere. And the couple of bikes that pop over, too. (Up to 15,000 bike owners bring their machines over to the island for the TT).<\/p>\n Discover Britain\u2019s most beautiful islands<\/a>, from the majesty of the Isle of Skye in Scotland and the tranquility of the Channel Islands to Pembrokeshire\u2019s famous wildlife-havens of Skomer, Ramsey and Caldey.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The Isle of Man has a population of around 85,000 people.<\/p>\n The Isle of Man is a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea. Some 50km long and 20km wide, it\u2019s just over half the size of the Isle of Wight.<\/p>\n Legend has it that we owe its position to Irish giant Finn Mac Cuill. He\u2019s said to have hurled a handful of earth at a rival giant over in Scotland. The earth fell rather short of the intended target, dropping into the Irish Sea to form the island we see today. It must have been a big handful.<\/p>\n Sail from Port St Mary to the Calf of Man and on the way take in the Sugarloaf stack, a noisy spectacle of nesting guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. Look out for seals, harbour porpoises, minke whales, Risso\u2019s dolphins and basking sharks<\/a>. The Calf is uninhabited except for seasonal wardens at the bird observatory, which has been active for over 60 years. The Calf\u2019s popularity as a stopping-off point for migrating birds has meant that more than 200,000 birds have been ringed over the decades. Steven Clague runs trips in his boat, Scraayl (which means Manx shearwater in Manx); call 07624 490615.<\/p>\n Discover Diving<\/a> offers single dives for qualified divers or snorkel trips and diver-training for beginners, plus full dive charter boats including accommodation.<\/p>\n The Manx Steam Railway<\/a> and the Manx Electric Railway run beautifully preserved steam trains and electric trams (check online for timetables) and are a great way to see the Manx countryside and stretches of coastline from a different perspective.<\/p>\n There are plenty of attractions other than the landscapes and nature. Around the coast from the Calf (the tiny island off Man\u2019s southern tip) is the terminus to the Isle of Man Steam Railway at Port Erin. From here is one of the best scenic rail journeys in the world. Using original rolling stock and locomotives, the 15-mile trip steams from the west to the modern capital Douglas. En route, a stop at the former Manx capital of Castletown to see the splendidly preserved medieval castle. Transfer across Douglas to the Manx Electric Railway, and Laxey is the stop for the Isle of Man\u2019s most iconic sight \u2013 The Lady Isabella \u2013 otherwise known as the Laxey Wheel.<\/p>\n On a bright spring morning, or a sultry summer\u2019s day, it\u2019s worth exploring one of the Isle of Man\u2019s 18 National Glens. These deep green valleys plunge from hill to coast, winding through waterfalls, caves and rock pools, all kept in a semi-natural state by the Manx Government. Many first became tourist attractions in the Victorian era. Glen Groudle, for example, once boasted a small zoo, dancefloor and bandstand. Other notable glens include Glen Helen, with stately trees; Glen Maye, with lush green plant life; and the steep Dhoon Glen, with 190 steps, and a 40m waterfall.<\/p>\n Basking sharks can strain up to 2,000 tonnes of water per hour. These zooplankton-feeding sharks can reach up to 12m in length and weigh over six tonnes. They\u2019re the second largest fish in the world. Witness them in action on a Manx Sea Life Safari<\/a> boat trip from Peel on the Isle of Man\u2019s west coast.<\/p>\n Yn Chruinnaght<\/a> in Peel is an annual gathering to celebrate the island\u2019s Celtic heritage with music, language and other cultural events. It runs from 24\u201330 July 2023.<\/p>\n Culture Vannin<\/a>\u2019s website has a wealth of information on the Manx language, music, heritage and all aspects of the island\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n If you are only on the island for a day, head to the south-west to visit The National Folk Museum<\/a> at Cregneash. It shows what life was like in a 19th-century Manx crofting community, with demonstrations of traditional farming, wool dying, weaving, blacksmithing and more.<\/p>\n When the weather is wet, The House of Manannan<\/a> in Peel is hard to beat. Using state of the art displays, the centre explores the island\u2019s Celtic, Viking and maritime heritage and traditions. The building itself is based on Manx vernacular architecture. There\u2019s enough here to captivate all ages.<\/p>\n Most of the tourists who visit the Isle of Man are here for the walking. Despite being only around a third of the area of Greater London, the Isle of Man boasts possibly the most varied and exciting walking anywhere within the British Isles. With more than 40 percent of the island uninhabited, there\u2019s plenty of space to feel at one with the great outdoors.<\/p>\n It\u2019s often said that Man is like the British Isles in miniature. Imagine the craggy, gnarled cliffs of the north Cornwall coast, the undulating hills of the Peak District<\/a> and the sandy beaches of south-east England in one compact package, and you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n A must for walkers is the mountain of Snaefell \u2013 which is old Norse for \u2018snow hill\u2019. With a height of 620m (2,034ft) it\u2019s mid-table in comparison to Wainwright\u2019s Cumbrian fells; but no Wainwright walk can offer the view from the top. On a clear day, you can see England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The summit is certainly walkable, but in common with Snowdon, most visitors travel to the top using the Snaefell Mountain Railway, which has been commuting up and down since 1895. Snaefell rises up from the central belt of the island, along with 10 of the island\u2019s 12 highest peaks. If you\u2019re happy walking Haystacks<\/a> and Hartsop Dodd in the Lake District<\/a>, this area is for you.<\/p>\n The there\u2019s the Millennium Way, one of four long-distance footpaths on the island. It travels for 26 miles through the central belt, passing peaks such as Carragham, Beinn-y-Phott and the side of Snaefell on its way from north to south.<\/p>\n One of the other long-distance footpaths is perfect for lovers of the sea \u2013 the Manx Coastal Path, known as the Raad ny Foillan, or The Way of the Gull. Devised in 1986,\u00a0the path hugs the shoreline and comprises 95 miles of beaches, harbours, hills and cliffs. And of course the walk can be broken into sections easily accessible at both ends by public transport.<\/p>\n One of the very best walks on the island is along the coast from Port St Mary to Port Erin. Walk this and you\u2019ll be rewarded with sheer cliffs, spectacular scenery and water wildlife aplenty. Traversing over land with names like Spanish Head and Burroo Ned, the walk passes by the excellent Sound Visitor Centre and Restaurant for a stop en route. It\u2019s not the shortest, at just over five miles, and in some sections there are some challenging rises and falls, but it is waymarked along the length as it\u2019s part of the Manx Coastal Walk \u2013 and it has a steam train ride back to the start! (Regular Isle of Man Steam Railway services start in mid-March).<\/p>\n This walk takes in some spectacular coastal scenery and the opportunity to see big groups of choughs, particularly towards the Sound. Return via Cregneash village museum and Meayll Stone Circle. Moderate difficulty. Sheer drops and narrow sections, so unsuitable for small children.<\/p>\n Start at Port Lewaigue and follow the coastal footpath to Maughold Head. Fabulous views over Ramsey Bay Marine Nature Reserve and a large cormorant colony. See Celtic and Viking stone carving in Maughold churchyard. Moderate difficulty.<\/p>\n Park at Eary Cushlin and walk down a stunning stretch of coast to an early Christian chapel (known as a keeill in Manx Gaelic). Moderate walking but it does involve a long climb back up. Be sure to check for ticks at the end of your walk.<\/p>\n During four weeks of the year, the Isle of Man throbs to the sound of motorcycles as thousands descend on the island for the TT<\/a> and Manx Grand Prix<\/a>.<\/p>\n The TT (Tourist Trophy) started in 1907, when the Tynwald passed a law allowing the closure of public roads for racing \u2013 all at a time when cars were limited to 20mph in the UK. The Manx Grand Prix is slightly younger, starting in 1923, and both are run over the famous Snaefell Mountain Course.<\/p>\n The festivals are a celebration of motorcycling, with bike rallies, gatherings and displays. During the two events, the island\u2019s population almost doubles; that makes finding accommodation quite tricky, and there are countless road closures and travel disruption, so unless you are a motorcycle fan, the weeks are best avoided for visiting.<\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/09\/GettyImages-862433580-b7b818c-e1682514117709.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C400"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Is the Isle of Man in the UK<\/h2>\n
Best islands to visit in the UK<\/h4>\n
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<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Isle of Man population<\/h2>\n
Where is the Isle of Man?<\/h2>\n
Isle of Man map<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Things to do on the Isle of Man<\/h2>\n
Boat trips<\/h3>\n
Diving and snorkelling<\/h3>\n
Heritage railways<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The Manx Glens<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/09\/Glen-Maye-Isle-of-Man-42d6189.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C412"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Basking shark tours<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Festival<\/h3>\n
Manx culture<\/h3>\n
The National Folk Museum, Cregneash<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/09\/Cregnesh-Isle-of-Man-2ce60b4.jpg?quality=90&resize=613%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The House of Manannan, Peel<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/09\/Peel-Isle-of-Man-fb9e63e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Isle of Man walks<\/h2>\n
Snaefell<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Millennium Way<\/h3>\n
Manx Coastal Path<\/h3>\n
Port St Mary to Port Erin<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/09\/Port-St-Mary-Isle-of-Man-83f61f1.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Port Erin to the Sound<\/h3>\n
Port Lewaigue to Maughold Head<\/h3>\n
Eary Cushlin to Lag ny Keeilley<\/h3>\n
Isle of Man TT<\/h2>\n