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4 Day Southern 100 Itinerary

The Southern 100 is unique to the Isle of Man, a tantalising mass-start road race that has been held each July since 1955!

Known as ‘The Friendly Races’, The Southern 100 is an exciting event for both motorcycle fans and those who are just dipping their toe into the world of motorsport. Held each evening, from the 8^th July to the 11^th July 2024, there’s plenty of time to explore the beautiful Isle of Man during the day. We’ve put together a four day Southern 100 itinerary to make sure that you make the most of your visit.

Monday - Day 1 

Start your first day on the Isle of Man with a trip to one of the Island’s beauty spots. Niarbyl is a secluded spot located just south of the village of Dalby, featuring quaint cottages and dramatic coastal footpaths. Alternatively, visit one of the Island’s luscious glens, we recommend Glen Mooar for a dip in the natural pool beside Spooyt Vane waterfall, Bishopscourt Glen (formerly part of the private garden belonging to the Bishops of Sodor and Man) for a stroll that’s steeped in history, or Glen Wyllin for a lovely walk that leads to the beach. If you’re looking for a tasty brunch close to these locations, head to The Dovecote Tearooms & Gift Shop in Kirk Michael for delicious homemade food.

Next, make your way to the seaside town and fishing port of Peel. Here you can visit the 11^th Century Peel Castle which was constructed by Vikings on St Patrick’s Isle. The remarkable ruins provide a stunning backdrop to the town, as well as an insightful walk through history via audio tour guide. You can also wander along the coastal footpath behind Peel Castle to enjoy panoramic sea views. If you fancy a more challenging walk, head up Peel Hill to Corrin’s Folly for far-reaching views across Peel. Peel is a superb place to get lunch as there are plenty of lovely options. Some of our favourite cafés include Roots by the Sea and the Harbour Lights Café & Restaurant, while we’d recommend Peel Beach Kiosk, Black Dog Oven, or Peel Breakwater Kiosk for a casual al fresco lunch. For something a little more substantial, head to The Boatyard Restaurant or The Creek Inn. Make sure to follow this up with some mouth-watering local ice cream from Davison’s Ice Cream Parlour.

For an adventurous afternoon make your way to South Barrule Forest and try your hand at Ape Mann Adventure Park or mountain biking. You could also explore Archallagan Forest which is also a top place for mountain biking and walking. For a chilled out afternoon, indulge in some retail therapy at Tynwald Mills Shopping Centre, where you can find a wide range of quality brands, as well as local goods and produce from numerous Manx businesses including Element Isle and Soaral. What’s more, Tynwald Mills is located next to numerous serene gardens including Tynwald National Park & Arboretum. You can also pop into Culture Vannin, located opposite the iconic Tynwald Hill, to soak up some Manx culture and heritage.

Tuesday - Day 2

Begin day two with a visit to one of the north’s impressive beaches, we recommend The Lhen Beach, The Ayres, or Blue Point Beach for a glorious seaside stroll with views that can span all the way to Scotland and Ireland on a clear day. You might even spot dolphins and seals! Follow this up with some brunch at one of Ramsey’s much-loved cafes; Milntown Café where you can also explore the historic Milntown Estate, or Boathouse Eatery in the Park where you can enjoy a walk around Mooragh Park’s boating lake or take little ones to the playpark and water play area.

Afterwards, make your way to Curragh’s Wildlife Park to explore over 350 of the world’s animals, set over 40 acres of outstanding scenery and featuring facilities such as a miniature railway, close-up animal encounters, and numerous play areas. Additionally, you can take a wander around the curraghs to see if you can spot any wallabies in the wild! If you’d rather fuel your love of motorsports, check out the Isle of Man Motor Museum which hosts over 500 unique exhibits from around the globe, including over 300 iconic motorcycles. When you start to feel peckish, check out Victory Café, a British canteen style café that overlooks the 31^st Milestone of the TT Racecourse, pretty cool!

Why not spend the rest of the afternoon taking a walk around Elfin Glen and Claughbane Woods, enjoying scenic views over Ramsey? If you’d rather put your feet up, make your way to The Fynoderee Distillery to sample premium Manx spirits, or maybe even take part in a distillery tour and tasting. What’s more, you can find Gelatory in Ramsey, known for its phenomenal gelato offering that features a plethora of exciting flavours.

Wednesday - Day 3

Day three takes you to the east of the Island! Travel to Laxey, via the traditional Manx Electric Railway if you so wish, and head to The Great Laxey Wheel. This iconic Manx monument is a must-see during a visit to the Isle of Man, it is the largest working water wheel in the world after all! Next, get some brunch from one of Laxey’s cute cafes, The Shed or Laxey Beach Stop Café. Make sure to take time to wander around the picturesque village of Laxey, exploring the Mine Trail, Beach and Harbour. You can even nip into Laxey Woollen Mills to see cloth being woven on pedal looms. What’s more, it’s the only mill in the world weaving genuine Manx Loaghtan cloth and tweed.

Following this, set off exploring in one of the East’s leafy glens. A few of our favourites are; Groudle Glen which features the Groudle Glen Railway, Dhoon Glen which leads to a gorgeous bay and has a magnificent waterfall, and Laxey Glen which is home to an expansive children’s playground and rushing river. Alternatively, ride up Snaefell Mountain on the Snaefell Mountain Railway and enjoy views of the seven kingdoms from the top; Isle of Man, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Heaven, and the sea. For lunch, check out The Shore Hotel Laxey, or make your way into Douglas to dine at one of the city’s wide variety of cafes and restaurants. Some great options are; VIBE, Noa, Refuge, The Alpine, The Grand House, Little Fish Café, or JUST Pizza & Pasta.

Finish your afternoon with a cultural activity such as a visit to the Manx Museum, a trip on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, or a tour of the exquisite Gaiety Theatre. Another option is to spend time perusing the shops in the heart of Douglas City Centre where many independent retailers are based, such as; Sound Records, Mostly Manx, Pomegranate Home, The Boredroom and Copenhagen Luxe to name just a few.

Friday - Day 4

After attending the daytime Southern 100 event on Thursday, start your final morning on the Isle of Man with a trip to The Sound at the southern tip of the Island. Here you can watch frolicking seals on the Kitterland, lying between the Isle of Man and it’s uninhabited sister Island, the Calf of Man. You can even hop on a boat trip to the Calf via one of the Island’s small boat operators who sail from Port Erin and Port St Mary. For brunch, grab something yummy from the renowned Café at The Sound for a meal with a view.

From here there’s lot of cultural places you can visit! Why not make your way to the preserved traditional Manx crofting village of Cregneash for a glimpse of what rural life was like on the Island in the 19^th century. What’s more, beside Cregneash you can find Meayll Hill, a believed 1000 year old chambered cairn that shows evidence of occupation from Neolithic to Medieval times. Moreover, you can check out Castle Rushen, an impressively preserved fortress that dates back to the 1400s, lying in the centre of the Island’s historic capital, Castletown. If you fancy some lunch, check out Kellas in Port St Mary, an immaculate development incorporating a café, restaurant, and bar where you can sample some delicious food.

For the rest of the day, head to the beachy town of Port Erin, home to a wide sandy beach with beach huts, a beach spa, and plentiful watersports such as; paddleboarding, kayaking, and aquabiking. If you’d like to stretch your legs, make your way through Bradda Glen and up Bradda Head to reach the prominent Milner’s Tower at its summit. Make sure to check out Manx winery Foraging Vintners to taste their non-grape varieties of sparkling wines, overlooking the delightful bay.

We hope our itinerary helps you to see and do as much as possible on the beautiful Isle of Man. You can view our other itineraries here!