Things to do in Isle of Man, Isle of Man: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

Discover the beautiful Isle of Man on this half day tour duration 4.5 hours. Explore this unique island with an experienced and entertaining fully qualified, registered and insured Driver Guide. The Isle of Man boasts over 100 miles of beautiful coastline consisting of sweeping sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. With a mild climate, rolling hills, and an abundance of open spaces and interesting landmarks, the Island has something for everyone. Shrouded by mystery, a sea-bound kingdom with its own captivating story to tell. With a rich history, that echoes through the ages. There are many impressive historical features to explore, including Neolithic tombs, Manx Celtic crosses, Viking burials, castles and forts. The benefit of visiting with a local guide is that you will be able to see some of the lesser known sites, as well as attractions tailored to your particular interests. 

Inclusions: Blue Badge guide, Professional Driver/guide, Complimentary pick up, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Setting off from Douglas we head north to Laxey and visit the famous Lady Isabella Water Wheel - onto King Orrys Grave for our first taste of one of the Islands Neolithic sites. Then to Maughold Church - Ramsey - St Johns and Tynwald Hill. Peel with its Castle and House of Mannanan museum. Niarbyl then over the mountain of South Barrule down to the Calf Sound - Cregneash folk village - Castle Rushen and return to Douglas over the Fairy Bridge

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch

Open Top Car Tours offers several different tours that take you to the most scenic and historic places in style - they are displayed on this page. Alan Cooper is the owner, chauffeur and tour guide. He has lived on Isle of Man for nearly twenty years and has written several best-selling guides, so is an authority on all the important places to visit and the Island's history and culture to help you really enjoy your visit. Alan is also an experienced TT Marshal so you will really be entertained by our Total TT Tour. We travel in VW Cabriolet which is very spacious both in front and back seats. Having the roof down really adds to the experience and appreciation of the Island: of course the roof goes up if weather is ever inclement.

Inclusions: Binoculars to look at the wildlife, Guide to Island's heritage sites & attractions

Exclusions: We can stop for you to buy your own snacks and drinks

This Open Top Car Tour takes in the picturesque landscapes, coastlines and beautiful villages in the west and south of the Island. It is an ideal tour for those who would like to visit some of the most photographed places on the Isle of Man. The tour visits Douglas Head (panoramic views), St John's (site of Viking parliament), Peel castle and kipper smokehouse, Niarbyl's stunning cliff scenery, Port Erin, Cregneash (1860's crofting village), The Sound (wonderful view of Calf of Man), Castletown (ancient capital) and returns to Douglas.

Inclusions: This tour takes in the picturesque landscapes, coastlines and beautiful villages in west and south, Stops at Douglas Head, St Johns, Peel, Niarbyl, Port Erin, The Sound, Cregneash and Castletown

Exclusions:

This tour is for visitors to the Isle of Man who would like a day out seeing as much as possible. Due to time constraints we do not go into sites other than outdoor heritage sites which have no entry charges. Most of the sites can be self guided although I am quite willing to guide in them. I am a qualified blue badge guide with an operators licence to drive visitors around the island, fully insured with public liability. Although a set tour has been set up I am quite happy to adjust the tour to suit the visitors needs.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch

This is a sixhour tour intended for those who want to take a trip back into the past travelling on a restored Steam Train and visiting one of the best-preserved Norman Castles in the United Kingdom. After Visiting Castletown we will travel to the Sound for Lunch, a breeding ground in the summer for the North Atlantic Grey Seal and have lunch at the Sound Café which has floor to ceiling windows providing uninterrupted views of the Calf of Man and the Sound After lunch a visit Cregneish Folk Village which was founded in 1935 by Manx National Heritage, where traditional farming methods are in place, the elusive Manx cat is to be found and the native Loaghtan sheep are bred. The village was also used in the making of the film ‘Waking Ned (Devine)’in the 1990’s We then return to Douglas. Guests can be picked up at a location of their choice

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Blue Badge Guide , Free pick up from hotels and airport, Government Registered Driver Guide

Exclusions: Lunch

From Victorian Douglas we will head north along the coast road, stopping at Laxey an old mining town that is home to one of the most spectacular water wheels in the world. A visit to Laxey Woolen Mills where the weaver makes Manx Tartan and other tweeds on looms that are powered by man, before heading for King Orry's Grave, a neolithic burial site A visit to the site of the first monastery at Maughold on the island founded in 550 and the site of many of our ancient crosses that were carved by Celts and Vikings. A short visit through the town of Ramsey takes us north to the Point of Ayre and the flat glacial plains of the island taking in the small churches and villages along the way. After a lunch break a q burst of adrenaline, following the famous TT course to Peel, with its castle, cathedral, marina and old fishing cottages is a delightful place to stop before heading for St Johns and Tynwald Hill: a four-tiered hill which is of the Island's most distinctive landmarks.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Blue Badge Guide , Free Pick up from hotels or airport , Government Registered Driver Guide

Exclusions: Lunch

This Open Top Car Tour lets you enjoy thrills and scenery of the famous TT Course and find out about interesting TT history, stories of the riders and some amazing incidents during the races. You will see photographs of how the TT Course looked a 100 years ago. As well as giving a complete TT experience, we also travel through pretty villages and along the atmospheric Mountain Road. It is guided by an experienced TT Marshal. The tour completes an entire lap of this famous course. We have stops at TT Grandstand to see the start-finish line, pit lane, winners podium and the century old scoreboard; Quarterbridge (site of Mountain Course first start line in 1911); St John's (where first ever TT started in 1907); Ballaugh (dramatic humpback bridge and site of an historic rider memorial); Snaefell to see Joey Dunlop's memorial and appreciate spectacular mountain course scenery; the lap finishes back at TT Grandstand.

Inclusions: Stops at several places of interest and importance for TT Races

Exclusions:

The tour is lead by John Shakespeare who is a Viking re enactor and story teller - he also worked on the Peel Castle archaeological excavations. John is an Isle of Man Government Registered Driver Guide

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Entries to castles & museums, Bottled water, Expert tour guide

Exclusions: Lunch

This Open Top Car Tour combines our Island Highlights Tour with a heritage electric tram ride to the summit of Snaefell, horse tram ride along Douglas Promenade and the historic steam railway in the South. Ideal for those who want to experience all the Island's principal attractions, historic sites and breath-taking scenery in one day. Check with tour operator dates of heritage railways before booking. The tour visits Douglas Head (panoramic views), Victorian Promenade, Laxey Wheel, Laxey station where you catch electric tram to ride to the summit of highest mountain Snaefell, site of 6th century chapel, join horse tram to ride the length of Douglas Promenade, travel TT Course to St John's (site of Viking parliament), Peel castle and kipper smokehouse, Niarbyl's stunning cliff scenery, Port Erin. Cregneash (1860's crofting village), The Sound (wonderful view of Calf of Man), Castletown (ancient capital) where you join the historic steam train to travel back to Douglas..

Inclusions: Stops at a dozen attractions and places of interest. Enjoy steam train, horse tram, mountain rail

Exclusions: Rail fares are approx. £15 per person