Isle of Man

[PrettyCandles]

Dh wants to go there on holiday. Anyone been there or lived there? What's it like, what is there to do, is there any cultural stuff or is it all outdoors activity stuff that you can do anywhere just the landscape changes?

[IdrisTheDragon]

I love the Isle of Man and have been there on holiday lots of times. Will reply more later but DD is clamouring to do a CBeebies game so must go

[gingerdad]

used to live there good mix of culture things to do and heritage with various muesums.

loved the place

GD

[MissyK]

I live there!! (well, here)

There are a lot of heritage sites all over the island, the steam train runs through the summer, also there's an electric tram that goes up the 'mountain'..
Plenty of the things are inside for if it's rainy.. I'd say there's more cultural/heritage than outdoor activity things.

There are gorgeous glens for walks etc, a few really nice beaches for little ones in the summer, in Port Erin you can hire canoes and book sailing lessons (I think you still can, the girl was working last summer).

5 minutes in the car and you'll be in the middle of the countryside, not a building in sight (maybe a few sheep walking on the road though).

It's about 45minute drive from one end to the other (if you live here it's considered a LONG way, lol, I used to travel further in England just to go shopping or meet a friend for lunch).

What would you be looking to do whilst here?
I could possibly get some info for you.

Missy x

[Heifer]

I shall be watching this thread with interest.. DH went to boarding school there and has been nagging me for years to take me there for a holiday but I hadn't fancied it being our main holiday.

Now we live on the Wirral we could come over for a long weekend etc so am willing to give it a go.

[loler]

Dh from and we visit as rarely as poss. I do like it but the expense/hassle of getting there puts us off.

In good weather it's fab, in the rain (which it does often) apart from a couple of great museums there's not much else.

Have never found a child friendly eating place/pub (any tips please as we've just booked for the summer) - Asked a local with dc where the soft play areas were - response was soft what? - Wacky warehouse could make a killing!

I do love it there but unless there is a particular reason to go, would chose Pembrokeshire (similar senery and sense of being away from everyone but with far less travel hassle)

[loler]

Jeremy Clarkson has go a lovely holiday home to rent near the boarding school - will go and find a link

[moondog]

I've always wanted to check out the IoM.
What is the local accent like?

[loler]

DH would kill me - a bit scouse!

[Heifer]

DH says slightly scouse but slower.

[loler]

Here's the clarkson holiday cottages

[moondog]

I've heard it was Scouse like.
God, so many places I want to go and so little time!

[Heifer]

Looks like a lovely place to stay - but have to be honest, for £800 + flights or ferry I would like a little more sunshine... [shine]

Hell what am I talking about, where could you go on that money for 3 these days! has been too long since I had a decent holiday..

May take another look....

[loler]

There are some very lovely much cheaper cottages - we stayed here last time we visited. Was a huge house and a short walk to an almost private cove.

[SmallerClanger]

Spent childhood holidays there with g'parents. Is tricky to get there - but worth it. Wonderful place - we returned for holiday with DD's stayed here
www.selfcatering-directory.co.uk/uploads/estate/selfcatering/self-catering-1088.htm

Great location for sight-seeing & child friendly with tree-house swings/slide & calf & chickens to feed..

[PrettyCandles]

So what sorts of things would you do with 8y, 6y and 2y dcs?

The tourist info stuff we've had through so far hasn't be very informative - just "lots of lovely stuff for you to do" and adverts, but nothing is specified.

[PrettyCandles]

Adverts for accomodation, that is, not for activities.

[SmallerClanger]

We had a group of DCs of 6,5,4 & 2. They had a great holiday at these places & more.

www.iomguide.com/laxeywheel.php
walk up through woods & into small portion of mine.

real steam railway www.iomguide.com/transportation.php to the "beach www.iomguide.com/porterin.php & ice creamwww.davisons.co.im/about.html"

electric railway up the moutain
www.iomguide.com/electricrailway.php

horse trams on the seafront
www.iomguide.com/horsetram.php

castles
www.iomguide.com/peelcastle.php
www.iomguide.com/castletown.php

parks
with water play area.www.iomguide.com/mooraghpark.php
& Crazy Golfwww.iomguide.com/parks/onchan-pleasure-park.php

Culture
www.iomguide.com/transportation.php0
with dress-up & child-friendly displays.www.iomguide.com/transportation.php1
Living Museum of old cottages.www.iomguide.com/transportation.php2

walks by rivers & coast & hills.

Take a look at these links & follow others on the website & see what you think. As it is so small you are never that far from a new actiity or visit.
Even though the journey can be tricky the girls also enjoyed the ferry crossing. ( if weather OK!)

[SmallerClanger]

oops some links are wrong under culture (it's late & the keyboard has dodgy keys...)
www.iomguide.com/cregneash.php
cottages
www.iomguide.com/rushenabbey.php
dress up etc
www.iomguide.com/manannan.php
history of Man.

Checking your original post- yes there is loads of 'culture'. IOM has very varied history icludig vikings www.iomguide.com/earlysites.php

[Lazycow]

Dh is from IOM. We visit his family 2-3 times a year though recently dh has been going with ds and I stay home because of the expense (works for me !)

It is beautiful and I enjoy going though - think Ireland in minature in terms of scenary.. It does have one softplay in Douglas and also has a good swimming pool with a water shute etc..

I much prefer the summer though as there is oodles to do especially all the train and horse rides but it all closes in the winter.

It can be expensive to fly there if you are not near the ferry. Since Manx airlines went bust only Flybe do flights there and they are quite expensive.

Dh recently had a lot of luck booking flights there with this website.
www.skyscanner.net/

They were much cheaper than booking directly with flybe (£180 for two flights instead of £420 for the same times/dates booked directly with flybe)

We stayed here for a week once www.iomfarmholidays.com and it had lots of good stuff for children on the farm.

You can do without a car but it is nice to have one. Just mind the mad drivers (there is no speed limit there|)