The Isle of Man has a unique fairy culture, with both modern and historic tales signifying the importance of respecting the mooinjer veggey (Manx for little people).

There are sites dotted across the Island that are particularly special to the fairies, with many stories of enchanting (and daunting) encounters at these locations. We’ve made a list of our favourite magical spots to run into the mooinjer veggey of the Isle of Man.

The Fairy Bridge

The Fairy Bridge located on New Castletown Road in Santon is iconic on the Isle of Man, in no other country will you find every person who crosses a particular bridge casually calling out “Hello fairies!” or “Moghrey mie mooinjer veggey!” (Good morning little people). It’s seen as distasteful and rude if you fail to comply, what’s worse is that locals believe you’re putting yourself in danger if you don’t show your respect to the fairies… We think it’s best not to take the risk.

The Original Fairy Bridge- Oakhill

Some people believe the ‘real’ fairy bridge is located a few miles away from the Santon fairy bridge, in Kewaigue. This bridge can be found down a rural farm track and is certainly a lot more hidden than its name twin, with the first mention of it being a fairy bridge on a map printed in 1869. It’s a beautiful spot for a countryside walk!

Glen Auldyn

Glen Auldyn on the outskirts of Ramsey is known as a place filled with superstition and legend. One particular tale, that of Daniel Dixon, is particularly peculiar. It starts with a young man taking a rest in the Black Dub, a distinctive pool in the river at Glen Auldyn, and waking to find strange small man sat on his chest. When asked who he was the creature proclaimed that he was Daniel Dixon, the Fairy King. It’s said that after he disappeared he left behind a number of smal beings wearing brown petticoats, who went on to disappear themselves. Spooky!

Summerhill Glen

Summerhill Glen is a popular beauty spot with entrances on Victoria Road and Summerhill, which leads onto Douglas Promenade. The glen is filled with adorable fairy doors, as well as an array of light displays. We recommend visiting when it gets dark for an enchanting stroll through the lit-up glen, a truly magical experience for families or a cosy walk for couples.

Fairy Hill

The Fairy Hill, also known as Cronk Howe Mooar, is known to be the most famous of all fairy homes on the Island, located on the Rowany Golf Course in Port Erin. There’s a famous story involving the ‘Fairy Cup’, whereby a man found the fairies riding off with his cows and after following them found himself inside the hill where a great party was taking place. The man remembered a warning he’d been given to never eat or drink fairy food and wine, so he steered clear, but things became difficult when the the Jough y Dorrys (the drink of the door; the final drink of the night) was passed around… He threw the wine over the lights and made a run for it, managing to reach Kirk Christ Rushen and staying there until daybreak, still grasping the cup he took from the Fairy Hill.

Groudle Glen

Groudle Glen is a picturesque, wooded valley that features a quaint water wheel, trickling river and pebbly beach, not to mention an array of fairy doors in its fairy village! It’s a wonderfully family-friendly spot to explore and hopefully spy some friendly mooinjer veggey. 

Check out further Manx folklore tales here.