Isle of Man

[MatthewL]

Looking to go to IOM this year for a couple of days, take the car over, 3 or 4 of us, anyone done it and give any recommendations?

 

Any recommendations for the ferry?

[Dos_Box]

The last time I went it was during the foot and mouth outbreak. They had cancelled the TT and there were a lot of very cheap deals going, so a bunch of us took motorbikes, a couple of Westfeidls and a Lotus Elise for some TT circuit fun for 4 days.

We got the ferry out from Liverpool and back through Heysham. Where do you live as this may determine which ferry port works best for you.

I would recommend you do the TT circuit on one day as it's rather sceanic

[altecsole]

The Heysham ferry is good. It was new last year and is a significant improvement over the old ferry.

 

I can recommend the Premier Inn, in Douglas.

[MatthewL]

Had heard the Heysham ferry was best to go for, which site did you book it with? I'm coming over from the east coast so its easy to go to either of them.

 

You can never go wrong with a Premier Inn.

[Andycat]

I've been there (teaching Tuba!) 4 times in the last 3 years.

 

I stay in a private house, and usually fly from Liverpool BUT on 2 occasions (last weekend being one) I had to get the ferry back as the flights got cancelled. The Liverpool-Douglas route was 4 hours on a new boat (The Manxman) that was quite choppy but comfy enough!

 

The Island is like going back in time. People still leave their cars and houses unlocked, and have a blatant disregard for any law besides drink driving, in my experience. Park wherever, drive however etc. A lot of places are perfectly clean but VERY dated. Equally, some of the posh places are amazing that the millionaires live in.

 

Peel is fantastic, with the best Ice Cream (Davidsons?), Chippy (Next door but one) and a fabulous pub (The Marine) all on the bay. Port Erin is quaint. Douglas is ok, some bits a bit run down but some lovely. Aura on the front is great Curry, Barbary Coast is like a Nandos only better, there are some elsewhere on the Isle too. O'Kells is the "big " brewery, but there's Odin that's started doing some great beers. Victory cafe up the mountain is definitely worth a visit too.

 

The Villa Marina has some good concerts/shows on, but it's quite a good place for general entertainment for such a small Island. I go tutoring, but there's 9 full brass bands on the Island....an amazing amount really!

[altecsole]

Had heard the Heysham ferry was best to go for, which site did you book it with?

 

The ferry is owned by the IoM Government, so you book via their Steam Packet Company website - https://www.steam-packet.com/

[MatthewL]

Thanks for the replies.

 

The reason I am wanting to take the car is we are off to visit a few places whilist we are there and its easier. Probably will stay in a Premier Inn as its something I know but will have a look around.

 

Ferry doesn't bother me, like to do different things, never flown so not in any rush to! Thanks for the heads up about drink drivers handy to know. We are going to be visiting quite a bit of the island so handy to know about any places worth a look, looking to do what were doing but enjoy some of the island too.