Manx Towns

DOUGLAS:

Douglas, situated on the east coast, is the capital of the Isle of Man and is the main port of arrival. The bus station is nearby for services to the whole Island. Horse trams connect the Sea Terminal with Derby Castle for the Manx Electric Railway. The Steam Railway station is near the end of the inner harbour, about half a mile distant.

The beach at Douglas Bay is excellent and boats for fishing can be hired from the promenade. There are ponies and pony trekking on the beach. There is an indoor swimming pool at the Aquadrome, Derby Castle. Ten pin bowling is available at the Manx Superbowl along the promenade.

The main shopping centre has a mixture of local shops and chain stores, with several supermarkets nearby. There are several paying and multi-storey car parks. Nearly all inner Douglas streets are free parking disc zones with various time limits.

The 'Story of Mann' begins at the Manx Museum where an introductory video can be seen. Noble's Park is the largest in Douglas and is located behind the TT Grandstand.

Nearest Scout Groups:
1st Douglas
2nd Douglas
5th Douglas
6th Douglas
1st Santon
1st Willaston

Nearest Explorer Scout Units:
Douglas Explorers
Onchan District Explorers

ONCHAN:

An adjoining dormitory village to Douglas, where Captain Bligh, of Muntiny on the Bounty fame, married a Manx girl. Mutineer Fletcher Christian was also a Manxman. The Onchan Pleasure Park has a go-kart track, motor boats and putting greens.

Nearest Scout Group:
2nd Onchan

Nearest Explorer Scout Unit:
Douglas Explorers
Onchan District Explorers

RAMSEY:

Ramsey is the second largest town on the Island and is situated on the north-east coast. Parliament Street and St. Paul's Precinct are the main shopping centres. The indoor swimming pool is on Queen's Promenade. There are long sandy beaches north and south of the harbour's mouth, particularly good at low tide. Sea fishing is permitted from both harbour piers. Mooragh Park has a large lake where many boating facilities are available. It also has a cafe, tennis courts and putting greens.

The Manx Electric Railway Museum is next to the tram station and the Grove Rural Life Museum is part of the 'Story of Mann'. Open air market on summer Saturdays.

Some of the finest Celtic Crosses are to be found in the churchyard of nearby Maughold village. Fine coastal walks along Maughold Brooghs.

The Ayres Conservation area in the north for excellent wildlife study. The Curraghs Wild Life Park is about five miles from Ramsey on the main bus route to Peel. The whole area offers magnificent coastal and hill walks with spectacular views. The Millennium Way, the long distance path to Castletown, starts at Ramsey.

Nearest Scout Group:
1st Ramsey

Nearest Explorer Scout Unit:
Northern Explorers

LAXEY:

Laxey is an old mining village on the east coast between Douglas and Ramsey. From the Manx Electric Railway station, tram connections can be made to the Snaefell Mountain Railway - a spectacular half-hour ride up the Laxey valley to the summit.

It has the largest working waterwheel in the world, called the Lady Isabella, where visitors can climb the steps to the top. Part of the mine is now open to the public.

Old Laxey has a quaint harbour and an excellent beach. The Laxey Woollen Mills are nearby where they manufacture and sell the Manx tartan.

Nearest Scout Group:
1st Laxey

Nearest Explorer Scout Units:
Norther Explorers
Onchan District Explorers

PEEL:

Peel is a small town (city!) on the west coast and is famous for its castle and fishing, particularly herring and its smoked kippers. The new Heritage Centre, opening in 1997, will house the Viking longboat, Odin's Raven. There are tennis courts and an excellent beach. Peel Castle forms part of the 'Story of Mann'.

Narrow Michael Street is the main shopping centre. Open air market held on Tuesdays. There are two Cathedrals in Peel, one disued in the Castle and one in the town centre.

Nearest Scout Group:
3rd Peel

Nearest Explorer Scout Units:
Douglas Explorers
Onchan District Explorers

ST. JOHNS:

St. Johns is a small village of great historical interest about three miles from Peel. The famous open-air Tynwald Day Ceremony is held there on the 5th July each year and is the most important day in the Manx calendar. At Tynwald, the Manx Parliament, the laws of the Isle of Man are read to the people in Manx and English. The tiers on Tynwald Hill are made of soil from each of the Island's ancient parishes.

The Tynwald Craft Centre has shops and woollen mill. National Arboretum is nearby.

Nearest Scout Groups:
1st Marown
3rd Peel

Nearest Explorer Scout Units:
Douglas Explorers
Onchan District Explorers

CASTLETOWN:

Castletown is on the east coast, eight miles south of Douglas. Steam trains from Douglas to Port Erin stop here. The ancient capital of Mann is dominated by the fine Castle Rushen, overlooking the harbour on one side and the market square on the other. It is a major part of the 'Story of Mann' and has many interesting features. The Nautical Museum is nearby on the opposite side of the picturesque harbour.

This small town is made up of two main narrow streets of local shops and the market square. The open-air market is held on Thursdays in the Square. There is an indoor swimming pool. The beach is small and mainly rocky.

Langness and Scarlett Point offer wildlife coastal walks.

Nearest Scout Groups:
3rd Castletown
1st Malew
1st Santon

Nearest Explorer Scout Unit:
Southern Explorers

PORT ST. MARY:

Port St. Mary is a small village on the south coast with a good harbour for yachting. It has an excellent beach and shore fishing from the outer pier is allowed. Various water sport facilities are available. There are shops in the village and a small supermarket.

Nearby is the village of Cregneash. It is a working museum with spinning and weaving demonstrations, a smithy and a woodworking shed. Old farming techniques are carried out, including horse-ploughing and thatching on the old Manx cottages.

A little further down the road is Calf Sound, the 'Land's End of Mann', where there is a cafe and superb views of the Calf of Man.

The Chasms at Spanish Head are nearby offering great opportunities to study the wildlife, flora and fauna. Great care should be taken if going near the cliff edge to see the unusual rock fissures. Chicken Rock lighthouse can be seen from this point.

Nearest Scout Group:
1st Rushen

Nearest Explorer Scout Unit:
Southern Explorers

PORT ERIN:

A village on the south west coast at the end of the steam railway line. There is an excellent beach and breakwater from which there is good fishing. Pony Trekking is available and there is a railway museum next to the station. Port Erin has various shops and a supermarket. Open-air market is held on Mondays.

Boat trips to the Calf of Man, a bird and wildlife sanctuary, can be booked at the breakwater. No camping is allowed on the Calf of Man.

Nearest Scout Groups:
1st Rushen
1st Arbory

Nearest Explorer Scout Unit:
Southern Explorers