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Vintage Railways of the Isle of Man

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20242025
6 days From £795 £745 per person
4.7 stars(491 reviews)
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Soak up Celtic heritage, relax on rugged coastlines, and journey through stunning landscapes in the beautiful Isle of Man.

Save up to £100pp

Save up to £100pp on selected British Isles 2024 holidays, when you book by 2nd April 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: MXB24

About the tour

The Isle of Man is an incredible blend of breathtaking coastal landscapes, sandy beaches, and stunning scenery. The island's rich Celtic heritage is everywhere, and we experience it as we ride vintage railways, explore historic towns, and enjoy the Isle's relaxed pace of life.

Every day is an adventure full of picturesque landscapes and captivating history as we journey on a horse-drawn tram down Douglas promenade, explore Peel's medieval castle, and soak up the natural beauty of the Calf of Man. This captivating island promises a getaway full of culture, beauty and rejuvenation.

Unforgettable experiences

Snaefell Mountain Railway
Snaefell Mountain Railway
Journey through beautiful coastline scenery aboard the historic Snaefell Mountain Railway.
Calf of Man
Calf of Man
Witness the stunning beauty of the Calf of Man, where breathtaking views and tranquillity await.
Douglas
Douglas
Enjoy the charm of a horse-drawn tram ride down Douglas's delightful promenade.
Manx Electric Railway
Manx Electric Railway
Discover the Isle of Man’s legendary trains on journeys aboard the Manx Electric Railway and the Isle of Man Steam Railway.
TT circuit
TT circuit
Experience part of the TT circuit as our coach drives along it, guided by the expert commentary of a skilled racer.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – The ferry to charming Douglas

Our holiday begins today as we meet in Heysham, Lancashire and get ready to board the early afternoon ferry that will take us to the gorgeous Isle of Man. As we sail this picturesque journey, on a clear day, we can see stunning views across the Irish Sea while keeping an eye out for wildlife like seabirds and maybe even dolphins.

We catch our first glimpse of the Isle of Man's beautiful landscape as we approach Douglas. Once on land, we stroll along the waterfront, taking in all the stunning sights on our way to the Claremont Hotel, where we'll be staying for the next five nights. After checking in, we enjoy dinner and settle in.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – The scenic Snaefell Mountain Railway and peaceful Laxey

Today takes us to the summit of the island's only mountain, Snaefell. We begin with a lovely, historic horse-drawn tramjourney along Douglas' promenade. Next, we board the Manx Electric Railway for a nostalgic and scenic journey through the island's countryside, passing by stunning coastal views on our way to the fishing village of Laxey.

It's here we board the Snaefell Mountain Railway - the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles. The railway takes us through beautiful landscapes and steep gradients as we ascend to the summit. On a clear day, the views at the top include England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

After descending, there's time at leisure to explore the village of Laxey. We recommend you visit The Laxey Wheel, or 'Lady Isabella' as she's known locally. This is the world's largest working water wheel and was built in the 19th century to help pump water out of the nearby mines. You could also stroll along the banks of the Laxey River and enjoy lunch at one of the delightful restaurants and cafés in the harbour.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – The famous TT racing circuit and historic Peel

After breakfast this morning, our first stop is Tynwald Hillin the village of St John's. Here, our coach joins the Isle of Man's famous TT racing circuit and we enjoy fascinating commentary from a former TT rider as we drive along part of the renowned route.

Next, we arrive at the traditional fishing port of Peel, known for its 11th-century castle. This medieval fortress served as a defensive stronghold for centuries and with time at leisure, you can explore its chapel, dungeons, and towers. You could also visit the House of Manannan - a museum dedicated to the island's rich history and culture with interactive exhibits, immersive displays, and stunning artefacts.

Later, we re-board the Manx Electric Railway back to Douglas. Sit back and relax as we travel once again through glorious countryside, across gorse-topped hills and along the island's rugged east coast.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - The Isle of Man Steam Railway, picturesque Port Erin, and charming Castletown

We board the Isle of Man Steam Railway this morning with its majestic steam locomotives and vintage carriages. The steam-hauled journey chugs through the beautiful scenery of the idyllic countryside, seaside towns, and traditional fishing ports before arriving at Port Erin, set within a beautiful bay on the southwest coast.

After time to explore, we set out on a coach tour of the headland where we see the spectacular views of Calf of Man, a small island located at the southern tip of the Isle of Man. From our viewing point, the rugged and wild beauty of the island is breathtaking as we soak up the craggy cliffs, windswept fields and rugged coastline.

Arriving in Castletown at lunchtime, enjoy time at leisure in the island's ancient capital. You could visit the medieval Castle Rushen, a magnificent fortress with imposing walls and towers. From the battlements, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Or, you could head to The Old House of Keys where the Manx parliament, known as the House of Keys, used to meet. Built in the 19th century, it has now been beautifully restored to its former glory, with original furnishings, portraits, and documents on display.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Idyllic Douglas at leisure

Today you can discover the Isle of Man at your own pace. There are countless ways to enjoy the beautiful island of Douglas, but if you're looking for a relaxing and breathtaking experience, look no further than its 25 stunning beaches. Each has its own unique charm, ranging from secluded coves to lively stretches of sand bustling with activity.

For nature lovers, a boat trip from Douglas to the Isle of Calf is a must. With wonderful wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and rare plants, a visit to the island is a unique opportunity to connect with nature.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Heysham and home

After breakfast this morning, it's time to make our way to Douglas' sea terminal for the ferry back to Heysham. After another sailing across the Irish Sea, our holiday comes to an end and we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Included Passes

We include two passes in this holiday: an Explorer Pass and a Heritage Explorer Pass.

Explorer Pass
Available for use on your free day, the Explorer Pass allows you complimentary travel on trains and buses across the Isle of Man.

Heritage Explorer Pass
Available for use on your free day and during our excursions, the Heritage Explorer Pass gives you free entrance to Manx National Heritage sites. These include the Laxey Wheel, Peel Castle, the House of Manannan, Castle Rushen, the Old House of Keys and the Nautical Museum, among others.

Please note

Please be aware that the order of the excursions may be different than appears here.

 

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

The Claremont Hotel, Douglas

The Claremont Hotel, Douglas

View hotel

Trains

Isle of Man Steam Railway
Manx Electric Railway
Snaefell Mountain Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 491 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (337)
  2. 4 stars
    (142)
  3. 3 stars
    (10)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Peter

5 stars

Submitted 13 Nov 2023

We really enjoyed the Isle of Man and our tour manager was great especially when my wife had a fall and had to go to the local Hospital.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Ozanne, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! I do hope your wife makes a great recovery. Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Timothy Ball

5 stars

Submitted 11 Nov 2023

Really well organised tour, plenty of free time to explore, superb tour manager.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Ball, Thank you for your review. That is fantastic to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

customer

5 stars

Submitted 07 Nov 2023

Interesting Island! Great guide

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr Kempshall, Thank you for your review and that fantastic photo! That is brilliant to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Peters

5 stars

Submitted 06 Nov 2023

Lots to do, great railway jaunts, hotel really good, excellent tour guide.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Peters, Thank you for your review and those fantastic photos! That is brilliant to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

David

4 stars

Submitted 06 Nov 2023

Good programme well delivered at a balanced pace. Great location & accomadation

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mr John, Thank you for your review. That is great to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

D. Tucker

5 stars

Submitted 06 Nov 2023

An excellent overview of the culture and history of the Isle.

from Great Rail Journeys
Dear Mrs Tucker, Thank you for your review. That is brilliant to hear! Kind regards, Sophie.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

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