Top Things to do in Isle of Man
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What to do and see in Isle of Man, Isle of Man: The Best Specialty Museums
The Isle of Man is simply magical, an enchanted journey back in time that somehow still feels modern. The island is peppered with stone churches, castles, forts and intricately carved Celtic crosses, all in varying states of preservation. A ride on the steam engine Heritage Railway is a wonderful way to take in the splendid countryside. Don’t miss the Victorian-era Laxey Wheela or Curraghs Wildlife Park, a fun way to get up close and personal with some of the island’s most adorable natives.
Restaurants in Isle of Man
1. Manx Aviation and Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 210 reviews
This independent museum features the aviation heritage of the Isle of Man and tells the stories of the Island and its people in wartime. The museum, a registered charity, tells TWO exciting stories - the aviation and military heritage of the Isle of Man and the history of the Manx Regiment - the most successful light anti-aircraft regiment in the British Army.
Reviewed By themads28
Hiw I haven’t been here before when it’s on me doorstep amazing place about the history of Manx soldiers in the war and the history and stories behind them and the stuff on display is quality well worth a visit
2. Murrays Motorcycles Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By colina350 - Worcester, United Kingdom
An absolute must visit. Just allow plenty of time, there's so much to see and Peter is a font of knowledge!
3. Knockaloe Centre for WW1 Internment
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
The Centre will remain closed in 2020 in the light of COVID (instead focussing on research) but reopens in 2021 - see website. At the site of the largest WW1 Internment Camp, where over 30,000 German, Austro-Hungarian and Turkish civilian men were interned behind its barbed wire between 1914 and 1919, the Centre tells the story of the internees, guards and staff, incorporating an interactive scale model of Knockaloe Camp and our wonderful collections of artefacts created by the internees. Our app guides a walk from the Centre, taking in the Guards and Internee graves, the site of the former Camp and the Garden of Barbed Wire which provides a quiet spot to sit and reflect. The Charity team are on hand to help descendants - please do let us know in advance if you are descended from an internee or guard and are intending to visit so we can do some preliminary research for you. We are a Registered Charity - we do not charge for entry but really welcome donations which help cover costs.
4. Manx Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 963 reviews
From Viking treasure finds, natural wonders of the world, the famous TT Races and wartime internment – you’ll find something to appeal to everyone at the Manx Museum.The museum has plenty of interactive displays, films and a wide range of exhibits which will help you uncover the Isle of Man’s history and heritage.Make a beeline for the Manx Museum early on in your visit as it’s a great starting point if you are looking to explore the Island’s heritage attractions. The National Art Gallery in the museum contains work from a number of famous artists including Archibald Knox, William Hoggat and John Miller Nicholson and there’s also a national library and well stocked archives for those visitors keen to explore the Island’s history further.There is also tearoom and gift shop located within the museum. NB. Library & Archives Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm
Reviewed By 675shayd - Barcelona, Spain
The museum is well worth a visit , we were meet my a friendly gentleman at the front desk and advised us to have a look at the short film about the history of the island .This was very informative and we were able to identify places later when we were travelling around the island , The collection has been very well presented and is a credit to the island
5. Port Erin Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By MarkW55 - Castle Douglas, United Kingdom
After seeing Caledonia pull out of Port Erin on the midday run back to Douglas, we visited this museum in one of the engine sheds. It is well fitted out giving a chance to look over two of the locomotives, Mannin and Peveril, at close quarters. There are also great displays of posters, railway counters, photographs etc to accompany historic coaches. There is a simulator for the 'diesel experience' (nuff said). At £2 entry, it is excellent value.
6. House of Manannan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 652 reviews
Mythical sea god Manannan guides you through this interactive museum which focuses on the Isle of Man's rich Celtic, Viking and maritime past. Discover life sized reconstructions of Celtic roundhouses, join the crew of the Odin’s Raven on a Viking longship as it returns from the battle of Clontarf, or find out what life was life in a Viking longhouse. You’ll also hear about the magnificent stone crosses dotted around the Island’s landscape and find out where you can still see them. Explore 19th Century Peel with a walk around the quayside, complete with traditional sights and smells from the Manx kipper yard, and uncover the importance of the sea to the lives of the people on the Isle of Man. During your journey from past to present you’ll also come face to face with characters telling you stories and superstitions from the Island’s past. An attraction not to be missed!
Reviewed By gourmetsunited
A superb museum of life and times and history of the Isle of Man built partly around the old station of Peel. The café is the old station's waiting room. Free to enter if you are members of IoM Heritage or UK National Trust, just show your membership tickets (or join them there and then! - can be used in all other Heritage museums on the IoM too). Otherwise, the entry price they charge is very well worth the price for at least 3 hours of interest. Very spacious and clean, with lifts to each floor for the less able, and very clean toilets too. The staff are extremely helpful in all ways. Everybody was smiling, so they obviously enjoy their work. A decent gift shop is downstairs for any worthwhile souvenirs. From start to finish this museum allows you to experience walk-in areas with plenty of seating showing how it is considered that early humans on the island lived, worked, protected and housed themselves. Going through the eras as one progresses through. It includes a superb Viking ship model in its own 'docked' area, with life-like Viking statues around and in it, and includes a wonderful feature of one Viking statue hauling a tow rope, half-in and half out of a huge glass window, which fronts the whole building too, and ends up in a rock-like projection with other Viking statues seemingly towing the boat at the museum's entrance. Well worth a photo. Upstairs one progresses through the fishing/living/working/various shop mock ups/ times of war rooms; with some short films of some of these historic times and events. Leave at least 3 hours to enjoy this museum to the full. Parking to the rear, or on-street parking nearby. Recommend also the Leece local history museum (free entry) very nearby which includes some TT bikes and history as well as local history upstairs (lift available), and the Roberts' Isle of Man dairy ice cream bar opposite the beach nearby too.
7. Grove Museum of Victorian Life
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
The Grove Museum of Victorian Life was developed in the mid 19th century by the Liverpool shipping merchant Duncan Gibb as a summer retreat for himself and his family. Later, the Victorian villa became the family's permanent residence and family home and a visit to the Grove is like stepping back in time. You'll find a series of period rooms, containing mostly original furnishings and fittings, a costume room, and displays of the possessions of three generations. There's also the opportunity to view the outbuildings, which would have served the substantial adjoining farmland, with agricultural equipment including a restored horse-powered threshing mill on display. Step out into the gardens and you'll be able to see the bees making honey or have a game of croquet on the lawn. Sit and relax in the Conservatory or enjoy a picnic in the Grove's gardens. There is also a museum shop on site. Admission £5.50.
Reviewed By CharlieW772
I loved this house all Victorian it was lovely seeing all Victorian stuff amazing well worth visit great history lovely tour
8. A.R.E Motorcycle Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By Mandy50_12
Although the museum was closed the owner kindly showed us around as we were from Guernsey. He was very friendly and informative and the bikes were in fantastic condition. Definitely worth visiting if you like classic bikes.
9. Jurby Transport Museum
10. Isle of Man Motor Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By Ben72452
Very good museum, could spend hours there, loads of cars and bikes, a motor museum doesn't have to do with the island, it's a MOTOR museum, so there are a large variety of cars from around the world and a big TT Section upstairs, would recommend a visit, good for a rainy day indoors, across the way is another Museum on transport ...not sure if their connected
