Blog (Motorsport) - Visit Isle of Man

The Isle of Man is an undoubtedly unique place… Think otherworldly folklore tales, unexpected wildlife, natural phenomenon, strange cultural practices and more. Here are 30 quirky facts that we bet you didn’t know about the Extraordinary Isle.  

You may be wondering, what exactly is the Southern 100? How does it work and what does the event involve? Don’t fear, we got together with Southern 100 expert Chris Palmer to talk all things mass-start road race and answer your FAQs.

The Southern 100 is a unique event to the Isle of Man, a tantalising mass-start road racing event that sees participants competing around the infamous Billown Circuit. The event is held every July and is known locally as ‘The Friendly Races’, in comparison to its counterparts, the TT Races and the Manx Grand Prix. We’ve put together a handy guide to keep you in the know about all things Southern 100 and how to make the most of this year’s event!

We've rounded up 101 things to do on the Isle of Man to make sure you make the most of your visit! 

The north of the Island is one of the most popular areas to watch the bikes during TT, whether you’re spectating from the infamous Ballaugh Bridge, based at Ramsey’s Parliament Square, or have settled yourself in at The Ginger Hall. What many racing fans may not be aware of is the abundance of Manx attractions, areas of beauty, and activities that lie a short distance from their favourite spectator spots.

The east of the Island is the epicentre of the TT action, but is also home to multiple attractions, beauty spots, and activities that you might not have explored before! Alongside some classic TT must-see locations, McGuinness has made a list of alternative places that you should definitely check out during your visit.

The southern part of the Island could be a missed opportunity for TT fans who haven’t strayed away from the course by venturing south. However, you simply can’t visit the Isle of Man and not experience all that the beautiful south has to offer… With some of the finest views and best recreational opportunities, heading south of Peel Road is an absolute must.

The Isle of Man’s west coast has a plethora of intriguing attractions, activities, and areas of natural beauty located in close proximity to the course. The west coast has the best of both worlds, close to the action but removed enough that you can appreciate its authentic appeal and charm away from the TT mania.

While the Isle of Man often delivers top weather conditions for the TT fortnight, it is located in the British Isles after all, meaning no guarantee of every day being sunny. Don’t fear, McGuinness has you covered with his guide to rainy days and race delays, featuring all the fun things that you can do that aren’t impacted by the weather!

Everyone loves to watch the TT Races, the atmosphere, anticipation, and buzz is unrivalled! Some of the most-loved spots to catch the races are the TT Grandstand on Glencrutchery Road, The Bungalow, Gorse Lea, and The Creg Ny Baa. These spectator spots may be well-known but some of the nearby beauty spots and impressive attractions might not be known by TT super fans. Check out McGuinness’s guide to spectating and touring the Island like a TT pro…