Explorers have a desire to seek out and marvel at the stories which unfolded an age ago, where legacies were built and culture echoes through time forged traditions that pave the way for future generations.

We are naturally curious and inquisitive. We are diverse, cultured, and learned. We possess an instinctive desire to learn, seeking out destinations and attractions that enable us to unearth our own version of the Isle of Man’s story.  We follow the trails that history has laid down, uncovering as much as we desire about the Island’s greatest legacies.

We relish in exploring the unknown, immersing ourselves in the hope of gaining insight and knowledge. We dig up the past and sift through the magic of years gone by, piecing together the Island’s rich history, which has echoed through time and paved the way for future generations.

Although the Island’s landscape is a treasure to behold, natural explorers value the amazing landmarks and structures that have been added to our Island throughout our 10,000-year history by our extraordinary ancestors. From beautifully restored castles to replica Viking ships, history has played a vital role in the traditions of the Isle of Man and has been carefully preserved for the modern Explorer

Unravelling the magic of the Isle of Man’s history is easy. Being modest in size, the Island is geographically ideal for exploration. Travel coast to coast and tread the halls of one of the world’s best preserved medieval castles, or experience a sensory adventure as you step inside the Island’s museums to explore our rich Celtic and Viking history. The Island’s wonders await.

  • From your strengths and ideal travel partner to your must see & do's, uncover more about what it is to be an 'explorer' HERE.

Must See & Do

  • Castle Rushen

Located in Castletown, the Ancient Capital of Mann, explore the history of Castle Rushen. Built as the royal residence for a Norse king in the 12th century, it was later besieged by Robert the Bruce and has been home to the Kings and Lords of Mann.

Explore the stories hidden within the walls as you move from chamber to chamber. Hear from the Castle’s past inhabitants and discover those who shaped its future. Cross beneath the portcullis and start your exploration.

  • Peel Castle

Standing on the rugged mass of St Patrick’s Isle, Peel Castle is one of the Island’s foremost historic sites. The 11th-century relic of Viking construction, dissect layer after layer of Manx history with an informative audio guide, and keep an eye out for the Moddey Dhoo, the spectral black dog said to roam the Castle’s ground.

Wander the coastal path around the Castle’s boundary, drinking in the views of the Irish Sea. Close your eyes and imagine the activity and exploration that the coastline has seen. The water plays an integral part in Peel’s history, and there are artefacts to be discovered both inside and outside the Castle’s walls.

  • Gaiety Theatre

The Gaiety Theatre is the jewel in the Manx Heritage crown. Steeped in history and tradition, the Gaiety is one of the finest examples designed by the legendary theatre architect, Frank Matcham. First opened in 1900, the theatre still remains one of the finest working theatres in the British Isles today.

Explorers can learn more about this magnificent venue, also home to the only surviving Corsican Trap in the British Isles, through an informative guided tour held every Saturday from Easter – September.

  • Milntown Estate & Gardens

Set in the beautiful parish of Lezayre, Milntown is the Island’s only Historical Estate and boasts 15 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland. The ornamental gardens have something to view whatever the season.

Spring is host to an array of flowering bulbs, large Camellia and Rhododendrons. Summer is filled with herbaceous borders overflowing with their frothy ‘Manx cottage garden’ charm! Autumn brings with it the changing of the leaves, providing a wonder of different textures, tones and form. The winter months can be just as beautiful, the hills beyond now visible from the falling of the leaves.

  • Great Union Camera Obscura

This Victorian curiosity has entertained visitors for hundreds of years, offering a unique and unparalleled view of Douglas Promenade. From a darkened room, explore the trickery of mirrors and lenses and watch the Douglas seafront come to life.

  • The Great Laxey Wheel & Mine Trail

This feat of Victorian engineering and ingenuity is the largest surviving waterwheel of its kind in the world. The Lady Isabella (as she is known) served the mine for 70 years. Beyond the wheel, explore the mine and the trail ruins to investigate the lives of Laxey miners, an essential aspect of Manx culture.

  • Tynwald Hill

One of the Island’s most distinctive landmarks and a signal of our independence as a self-governing crown dependency. Tynwald Hill plays host to an open-air ceremony, established by Norse Viking settlers over a thousand years ago, of the Island’s parliament, Tynwald, once a year.

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