TRAVELRAGS

Douglas

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AfarSep 25, 2026

On the Isle of Man, a 100-Mile Coastal Hike Links Castles, Viking Crosses, and Seal Coves

Manx Gaelic for "the Way of the Gull”—circles an entire nation. Walk the full loop hotel to hotel over a week or more, or sample its best stretches from a single town.

20 things in this story
  • Manx MuseumMuseumProvides context on the island's history and Viking silver
  • Raad ny FoillanTrail100-mile path looping the entire coast of the Isle of Man
  • Great Union Camera ObscuraSightVictorian-era attraction offering fine views over Douglas
  • Manx Electric RailwayPlaceRuns between Douglas, Laxey, and Ramsey
  • Isle of Man Steam RailwayPlaceRuns between Douglas and Port Erin
  • Fig and OliveRestaurant1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8 Person 9 Person 10 Person 11 Person 12 Person 13…
  • Noa BakehouseCaféOffers coffee and pastries
  • Claremont HotelHotelDirectly on the trail with contemporary sea-view suites
  • Elsewhere
  • Peel CastleAttractionPeel, Isle of ManCastle sprawls across St. Patrick's Isle
  • Langness PeninsulaSightCastletown, Isle of ManRich in bird and marine life, home to a 12th-century chapel
  • Castle RushenMuseumCastletown, Isle of ManOne of Europe's best-preserved medieval castles
  • The SoundRestaurantPort Erin, Isle of ManCafé at the island's southern tip for seals and seabirds
  • Meayll CircleSightPort Erin, Isle of ManHilltop remains of a Neolithic chambered cairn
  • Point of AyreSightRamsey, Isle of ManIsland's northern tip with a candy-striped lighthouse
  • Snaefell Mountain RailwayPlaceLaxey, Isle of ManClimbs to the island's highest summit
  • Great Laxey WheelAttractionLaxey, Isle of ManWorld's largest working waterwheel, built in 1854
  • Boatyard RestaurantRestaurantPeel, Isle of ManAward-winning, overlooks harbor near Peel Castle
  • Charlotte de la TremoilleRestaurantCastletown, Isle of ManCafé and wine bar opposite Castle Rushen
  • Riddler Under the NestRestaurantPort Erin, Isle of ManOffers views of gannets diving at sunset
  • Earl of DerbyHotelCastletown, Isle of ManOverlooks Castle Rushen, well-placed for scenic stretches
Read the full piece at Afar →

The GuardianAug 11

In the footsteps of the Victorians on the Isle of Man

Steam trains, horse-drawn trams and glorious coastal paths are all part of the adventure on a new self-guided walking tour of the island On the shores of Douglas Bay, I could barely see the sand. Crammed on to the beach, on every available inch, were tourists bustling for the best spot. Luckily, I wasn’t there at the same time. I was looking at a black and white photograph taken some 135 years…

20 things in this story
  • Manx MuseumMuseumDisplays a photograph of Douglas Bay from 135 years ago.
  • Douglas BaySightCrescent-shaped beach, once crowded with tourists.
  • Tower of RefugeSightSits on a tiny islet, illuminated by sunlight.
  • horse-drawn tramwaySight150-year-old service running along the seafront.
  • Groudle GlenSightFairytale setting with a watermill wheel.
  • Garwick BeachSightWoodland-backed pebbled cove.
  • Raad ny FoillanTrail100-mile coastal path circling the island.
  • Ballannette nature reserveSightWoodland area with lakes where geese bob.
  • St Adamnan’s churchSightRuins with Celtic crosses dated from 7th-10th centuries.
  • Halvard hotelHotel20-room boutique property in the heart of town.
  • steam railwaySightVictorian legacy service connecting towns.
  • Wine DownRestaurantBar in Douglas sampling locally brewed beer.
  • Elsewhere
  • Calf SoundViewpointPort Erin, Isle of ManThe sound - technically a strait - is about 700 yards in width, and contains the small islet of Kitterland, which is…
  • Calf of ManSightPort Erin, Isle of ManSmall island, home to a colony of grey seals.
  • CregneashNeighborhoodPort Erin, Isle of ManLast stronghold of Manx language, oldest open-air folk museum.
  • ChasmsSightPort Erin, Isle of ManCliffs with dramatic sea-carved fissures.
  • Peel CastleAttractionPeel, Isle of ManDominates St Patrick's Isle, connected by causeway.
  • Fish BarRestaurantPeel, Isle of ManHarbour stall serving locally caught scallops.
  • Corrin’s FollySightPeel, Isle of ManCorrin's Folly, stands on the top of Peel Hill overlooking the town of Peel and out across the Irish Sea as a tower…
  • KnockaloeGardenPeel, Isle of ManSite of a large first world war internment camp.
Read the full piece at The Guardian →
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