What to do and see in Peel, Isle of Man: The Best Things to do

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.

Situated on St Patrick’s Isle, Peel Castle was originally a place of worship before becoming the fort of Magnus Barefoot – an 11th century Viking King of Mann.The castle’s curtain wall encircles the ruins of many buildings which are a testimony to the site’s religious and secular importance in the Isle of Man's history.Visit St Patrick’s Church and the Round Tower which date back to the 10th and 11th centuries and step underground into the atmospheric crypt of the 13th century Cathedral of St German.You’ll have the opportunity to stroll the castle’s extensive grounds and climb to the top of the Gatehouse Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of Peel and beyond as well as entering the 16th century Great Garrison Hall.And look out for the Moddey Dhoo – a ghostly apparition of a black dog which is said to haunt the castle!Peel Castle remained a royal residence and centre of government for more than 200 years until power moved south to the Medieval fortress of Castle Rushen.

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!

The Cathedral Church of St German was consecrated as a Cathedral relatively recently, though its shared history goes back a long way with the Cathedral ruin on St Patrick's Isle. Built as a Parish Church in 1893, St German's became the Cathedral Church for the Diocese of Sodor and Man in 1980. It is also one of 5 churches that form the Parish of the West Coast, serving the communities in Dalby, Kirk Michael, Patrick, Peel and St John's.

This unique Victorian church has a dual role as Parish Church and National Church, and is notable for its use on Tynwald day as a Court for the Legislature.