Isle of Man Heritage Rail Adventures

Day 1: Liverpool/Douglas
After making your own way to Liverpool you will depart early this evening for Douglas aboard the fast catamaran ‘Manannan’. Relax in the lounge, choose from a selection of refreshments or even enjoy a spot of shopping during the crossing. On arrival, transfer by coach to the 4-star Sefton Hotel, located on the promenade.

Your holiday includes a five-day pass which can be used on the island’s heritage railways and local buses. It also allows you entry to all of the Manx Heritage sites.

Day 2: Port Erin/Castletown
Start your day in the breakfast room, which enjoys lovely views over the bay and harbour. After breakfast you will join your Tour Manager and take the steam train journey* to Port Erin, a delightful seaside town with a beautiful sandy beach set in an enclosed harbour. You can visit the Railway Museum here or enjoy a walk along the promenade before taking the train to Castletown. On arrival, the afternoon is free for you to do as you wish. Once the capital of the island, Castletown sits on the site of an ancient volcano and is one of the oldest towns in the British Isles. Enjoy a walk around its quaint narrow streets, lined with small fishing cottages and visit the medieval Castle Rushen, which dominates the centre of town. There’s time to enjoy lunch at your leisure before your train journey back to Douglas.

Day 3: Laxey/Ramsey/Peel
This morning you will take the Douglas Manx Electric Railway (MER) for your journey to Laxey. On arrival, you will board the Great Laxey Mine Railway, which once carried metal ores from the Great Laxey Mine – the deepest in the world during the 1800s. A short walk from the terminus you will find the Lady Isabella waterwheel. Built in 1854 to pump water from the mine, it is now the largest working waterwheel in the world. From here, take a lovely route on the MER along the east coast to Ramsey, the Isle of Man’s second largest town, for a spot of shopping or a walk along the beach. After this you will take the bus to Peel, where you can spend the afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from for lunch in the island’s only city. You may enjoy a walk around the ruins of Peel Castle or a stroll up Peel Hill for splendid views along the coast and out to Ireland, before taking the bus back to Douglas.

Day 4: Snaefell Mountain Railway/Groudle Glen
Today you will take the electric train to Laxey. On arrival, you will board the Snaefell Mountain Railway, reaching the summit in around 30 minutes. Here you can purchase refreshments from the café and on a clear day enjoy views of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Your next train journey will take you from Laxey to Groudle Glen, and after another short train journey, to the cliff-top Sea Lion Rocks tea room where you can admire the spectacular scenery over a relaxing drink before your return journey to Douglas.

Day 5: Douglas/Liverpool
Enjoy the morning at leisure – make sure you use your five-day pass to explore more of the island’s attractions before departing for your journey back to Liverpool this afternoon.

Please note
We want you to get the most from your holiday with us so please be advised that this tour is not suitable for anyone with mobility problems.

*We cannot always guarantee that all the rail excursions will be steam-hauled.

Accommodation is of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotel you will stay in is:

4-star Sefton Hotel
Situated right on the promenade and close to all the major attractions in Douglas. This grand hotel combines Victorian elegance with modern facilities and features a beautiful indoor water garden, restaurant, breakfast room, bar, indoor swimming pool and health and fitness club. Rooms are equipped with tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, fridge, safe, TV and en suite facilities.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits
Port Erin and Castletown visits
Laxey, Ramsey and Peel visits
Snaefell Mountain railway and Groudle Glen visits

Your holiday includes
Standard-class return fast catamaran travel from Liverpool
Other transportation as described
4 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, plus 3 dinners
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager
A heritage pass which can be used throughout your stay on the island’s heritage railways, horse-drawn trams and local buses. It also allows you entry to all of the Manx National Heritage sites including Peel Castle, House of Manannan and Castle Rushen
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)