5 Isle of Man Attractions Included in Top 10% Worldwide

A selection of the Isle of Man’s Heritage Sites have been recognised for their quality offering by scooping up five Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice Awards, meaning that they’re included in the Trip Advisor top 10% worldwide. Based off genuine feedback collated from visitors over the last 12 months, Travellers' Choice honours businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence, quite the achievement!

So, which attractions have acquired this impressive status?

Peel Castle

Known as Cashtal Phurt Ny H-Inshey in Manx, Peel Castle is the largest and most complex heritage site on the Isle of Man, not to mention one of the most important religious and historic sites in the British Isles.

The site encloses almost two hectares of fortifications which were built over 700 years. Prominent features are the 800-year-old Cathedral of St German with its atmospheric crypt, and the 900-year-old Round Tower.

Visitors today can hear the mystical tales of the castle via audio guide, including that of resident ghost dog the Moddey Dhoo, bringing the experience to life.

Castle Rushen

Castle Rushen, Cashtal Rushen in Manx, is known as one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the British Isles, built 800 years ago for Viking King Magnus II.

Its impressive limestone walls dominate Castletown, the ancient capital of the Isle of Man, and house the site of a former royal residence, prison, fortress and more.

Visitors can explore the banquet hall, cells, treasury, gatehouse and more, enhanced by realistic model figurines, as well as enjoy views over the south of the Island from the top of the towering walls.

The Great Laxey Wheel

The Great Laxey Wheel, known as Queeyl Vooar Laksey in Manx and as Lady Isabella by locals, is the world’s largest surviving, original working water wheel.

Visitors can climb the 95 steps to the top of the wheel for incredible views over Laxey and Glen Roy, as well as learn about the lives of the Laxey miners via the mine trail, as well as visit the underground entrance to the mine.

This impressive feat of Victorian engineering is a must-see location when visiting the Isle of Man, arguably the most widely-recognised attraction on the Island.

House of Manannan

As it’s known in Manx, Thie Vanannan, aka the House of Manannan, is an immersive museum located in Peel that takes you all the way from an Iron Age roundhouse to a bustling 1800s Peel port.

Visitors can explore a seagoing replica of one of the Viking longboats that arrived on the Island, Odin’s Raven, learn about the history of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, hear Manx mariner tales, experience life inside both an Iron Age roundhouse and a Viking Age longhouse, and more.

Manx Museum

The Manx Museum is a unique, historical hub located in the Island’s capital, Douglas. Known as Thie Tashtee Vannin in Manx, this intriguing museum covers history on the Island from the Viking era to the modern day.

The museum’s collection of Viking silver is vast, with more per sq km than England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Tie that in with the National History Gallery, National Art Gallery, National Library and TT Gallery, and you’ve got a top destination for visitors.

You can learn more about Manx National Heritage's sites here.