Isle of Man & The Laxey Wheel

Description
A storied history and incredible sights await us on the beautiful Isle of Man, where we enjoy a break packed full of scenic train journeys, sweeping natural landscapes and a friendly atmosphere. On this five-day getaway, we experience some of the island's best features with excursions to the pretty seaside towns of Ramsey and Peel, as well as the magnificent Laxey Wheel, a grand feat of Victorian engineering which is still in operation today. We also travel on the vintage Manx Electric Railway and the mountain-climbing Snaefell Mountain Railway, which takes us to the summit of the island's highest peak to enjoy the spectacular views.

Pick up Supplement Band B - £15 per person

Abergele, Abingdon, Accrington, Acle, Aldershot, Alfreton, Ampthill, Anlaby, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Aylesbury, Bangor, Banstead, Barrow-in-Furness, Barton-le-Clay, Bebington, Beccles, Belper, Beverley, Bexhill, Bexley, Bicester, Biggleswade, Billingham, Bishop Auckland, Bodmin, Bognor Regis, Bourne, Bracknell, Brentwood, Bridgend, Bridgnorth, Bridgwater, Brighouse, Bromsgrove, Buckingham, Burnham-on-Sea, Burnley, Camberley, Camborne, Canterbury, Canvey Island, Cardiff, Chatham, Chatteris, Chelmsford, Chepstow, Cheshunt, Chorley, Christchurch, Clacton-on-Sea, Cleethorpes. Clevedon, Coalville, Cockermouth, Colwyn Bay, Connahs Quay, Cottingham, Dalton-in-Furness, Deal, Dereham, Didcot, Diss, Dover, Downham Market, Driffield, Droitwich, Ellesmere Port, Epsom, Evesham, Farnborough, Farnham, Felixstowe, Filey , Flint, Flitwick, Folkestone, Gravesend, Great Malvern, Hailsham, Harlow, Harrogate, Hatfield (Herts.), Haverhill, Haywards Heath, Hedge End, Hereford, Herne Bay, Hertford, Heswall, Hinckley, Hitchin, Holbeach, Honiton, Horley, Horsham, Hove, Hucknall, Hythe (Kent), Ilkeston, Immingham, Keighley, Kempston, Keynsham, Kidsgrove, Kingswood, Leamington Spa, Leatherhead, Leek, Leighton Buzzard, Lewes, Lewisham, Leyland, Lichfield, Liskeard, Llandudno, Long Eaton, Loughborough, Louth, Mablethorpe, Maidenhead, Malton, Market Deeping, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Mildenhall, Mold, Morecambe, Nailsea, Newark, Newbury, Newhaven, Newport (South Wales), Newport Pagnell, Newton Abbot, Northallerton, Northop, Nuneaton, Oakham, Ormskirk, Oswestry, Paignton, Penzance, Pershore, Polegate, Pontefract, Prestatyn, Princes Risborough, Redruth, Retford, Rhyl, Rickmansworth, Ringwood, Ross-on-Wye, Runcorn, Rushden, Saltash, Sandy, Scunthorpe, Seaford, Sevenoaks, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sittingbourne, Skegness, Skipton, Sleaford, Slough, South Benfleet, Southport, St Neots, Staines, Stanford-le-Hope, Stonehouse, Stourbridge, Stourport, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stretford, Stroud, Sudbury, Sunbury, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Swadlincote, Swaffham, Swansea, Tamworth, Tewkesbury, Thame, Thirsk, Tilbury, Tonbridge, Torquay, Totton, Truro, Tunbridge Wells, Ulverston, Wallasey, Wareham, Warwick, Waterlooville, Wellingborough, Wellington (Shrops.), Welwyn Garden City, Weston-super-Mare, Whitby, Whitehaven, Whitstable, Widnes, Winchester, Woking, Wokingham, Workington, Worksop, Wymondham, Yate, Lindale, Redcar, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Guisborough, Skelmersdale, Daventry & Chippenham.


Pick up Supplement Band C - £30 per person

Barnstaple, Bideford, Bridport, Chapel St Leonards, Cinderford, Coleford, Cromer, Cwmbran, Dursley, East Cowes, Ely, , Fakenham, Falmouth, Frinton-on-Sea, Gainsborough, Glastonbury, Harpenden, Harwich, Hunstanton, Ingoldmells, Launceston, Ledbury, Leominster, Ludlow, Lydney, Lyme Regis, Market Rasen, Maryport, Nantwich, Newport (Isle of Wight), Newquay, Pickering, Ryde, Sandown, Selby, Shanklin, Shepton Mallet, Snettisham, South Molton, Street, Swanage, Thornbury, Wells, Welshpool, Whitchurch (Shrops.), Wigton, Devizes, , Welksham & TrowbridgeIncluded excursions

Manx Electric Railway, Laxey Wheel & Snaefell Mountain Railway
We take a trip on the historic Manx Electric Railway, which still uses its original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. From Douglas, our train journeys along the scenic east coast with views of the beautiful Manx countryside on one side and far-reaching vistas beyond the stunning cliffs on the other. We disembark in Laxey to visit the Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world and known colloquially as the Lady Isabella. Admire this feat of Victorian engineering as we watch the mighty wheel turn and can even climb to the top for panoramic scenes from across the Glen Mooar Valley.

From here we join the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles. Dating from 1895, electric-powered trains take passengers over 2,000ft up to the summit of Snaefell, the Isle of Man’s highest point. Here we enjoy superb scenery, and if it’s a clear day, can even catch a glimpse of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales!

Ramsey & Peel
Our half-day excursion first takes us to the peaceful port town of Ramsey, the island’s second-largest town, sheltered against the magnificent backdrop of the North Barrule hills. Home to masses of sand and shingle beach, the town also boasts one of the biggest harbours on the island.

We then travel to Peel, a charming fishing port with a history spanning hundreds of years. Located on the west coast, Peel is renowned for its narrow lanes crammed with fishermen’s cottages, the striking red sandstone that was used to build its castle and its views that stretch out all the way to Ireland’s Mountains of Mourne.

Optional Excursion to Port Erin & Castletown (£14pp)
On our optional excursion, we start the day with a visit to delightful Port Erin, a peaceful town with pretty gardens and a sandy beach that was first favoured by Victorian holidaymakers. Next we travel to the island’s southernmost tip to enjoy a brief photo stop at The Sound. Here we have the opportunity to catch a snap of the local wildlife, from sunbathing seals on the rocks to basking sharks and dolphins in the blue waters below. For our final destination of the day, we journey to Castletown, the original capital of the Isle of Man. Explore the highlights of this historic town which offers many must-see features, from the busy, yacht-filled harbour, the beach and the imposing Castle Rushen which has been called ‘one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the world’.

Search Bullets
- Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)- Airport transfers on the Isle of Man- 4 nights at the Hydro Hotel, Douglas (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast- After-dinner tea & coffee- Excursions to Laxey Wheel, Ramsey & Peel- Heritage train journeys on the Manx Electric Railway & the Snaefell Mountain Railway

Approximate Coach Pickup Times
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Itinerary
Included excursions

Manx Electric Railway, Laxey Wheel & Snaefell Mountain RailwayWe take a trip on the historic Manx Electric Railway, which still uses its original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. From Douglas, our train journeys along the scenic east coast with views of the beautiful Manx countryside on one side and far-reaching vistas beyond the stunning cliffs on the other. We disembark in Laxey to visit the Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world and known colloquially as the Lady Isabella. Admire this feat of Victorian engineering as we watch the mighty wheel turn and can even climb to the top for panoramic scenes from across the Glen Mooar Valley.

From here we join the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles. Dating from 1895, electric-powered trains take passengers over 2,000ft up to the summit of Snaefell, the Isle of Man's highest point. Here we enjoy superb scenery, and if it's a clear day, can even catch a glimpse of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales!
Ramsey & Peel Our half-day excursion first takes us to the peaceful port town of Ramsey, the island's second-largest town, sheltered against the magnificent backdrop of the North Barrule hills. Home to masses of sand and shingle beach, the town also boasts one of the biggest harbours on the island.

We then travel to Peel, a charming fishing port with a history spanning hundreds of years. Located on the west coast, Peel is renowned for its narrow lanes crammed with fishermen's cottages, the striking red sandstone that was used to build its castle and its views that stretch out all the way to Ireland's Mountains of Mourne.Optional Excursion to Port Erin & Castletown (£14pp)On our optional excursion, we start the day with a visit to delightful Port Erin, a peaceful town with pretty gardens and a sandy beach that was first favoured by Victorian holidaymakers. Next we travel to the island's southernmost tip to enjoy a brief photo stop at The Sound. Here we have the opportunity to catch a snap of the local wildlife, from sunbathing seals on the rocks to basking sharks and dolphins in the blue waters below. For our final destination of the day, we journey to Castletown, the original capital of the Isle of Man. Explore the highlights of this historic town which offers many must-see features, from the busy, yacht-filled harbour, the beach and the imposing Castle Rushen which has been called 'one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the world'.

Coach Bullets (Evening)
- Return coach travel & ferry crossings- 4 nights at the Hydro Hotel, Douglas (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast- After-dinner tea & coffee- Excursions to Laxey Wheel, Ramsey & Peel- Heritage train journeys on the Manx Electric Railway & the Snaefell Mountain RailwayOptional excursion to Port Erin & Castletown (£14pp)Hotel
The Hydro Hotel is an elegant period hotel located right on the seafront in the island's capital of Douglas. The hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms, a bar and restaurant. From its promenade vantage point, there are views across the bay of Douglas, which is also home to St Mary's Isle, a partially submerged reef. (JG2 rating)

Hotels
• The Hydro Hotel, Isle of Man (Douglas) - View Information