TelBoy

Anybody been?

The IOM Tourist site is obviously extremely enthusiastic, but is there enough to do for a week outside of TT times? Needs to cater for youg kids.

Thanks in advance.

Coffin Dodger

Get in Scoob, blat round superb mountain roads with no speed limits

Would keep me entertained for a week. Kids should be happy to be along for the ride

fast bloke

They have a shoe museum

jen98impreza

Well there`s the wildlife park and ..... erm

Gymbal

Well, depends what you enjoy...... Walking, masses of (public) glens, moors, coastal walks. Cycling likewise. Driving outside the alleged rush hour is fantastic. History, 2 castles, oldest continuous parliament in the world (979ad) viking exhibition centre. Fishing river resevoir and sea. Good museum.
Drinking. electric railway up highest mountain, steam railway horsetrams.

Downside is relative cost, food is rarely upto the highest standards. (there are exceptions and sea food is great) in and weather dependency. (dont go in Winter!)
Camping can be a good way with kids and to see different parts of the Island? (no towed caravans allowed). Beeches we have a few but it is the Irish sea...... decent pool and water park thingy

Probably would do a week easily. preschool? primary? how active? rucksackable? all terrain prams

davegtt

Thats a not worth it then, stay away

Iwan

Superb place, I'm taking the missus & 6yo there for a long weekend soon.

The sea is nice and clean/clear, and lovely for swimming in during the summer.

Do you like ale? If so the ale there is way better than what you get in the UK mainland. Bushy's and Okells are the main breweries but you get the odd little microbrewerie like the one behind the Shore Hotel in Laxey, making Bosuns bitter.

Oh yeah, there's a giant waterwheel too.

jen98impreza

O.k for the kids.... wildlife park,as mentioned,fun barn(soft play area) and laser blast. Onchan park with your swings,slides e.t.c they also have crazy golf,hired bumper boats and stuff. The dragons castle for the younger rugrats,3 level soft area with ***** and slides(they also have a cafe serving decent "kiddie" food. House of mannanin in Peel is good for the older kids,its a museum but very interactive with plenty of animations and ways for kids to get involved, and learn about the history of the island whilst having fun. Few castles you can wander round inside,wouldn`t be ideal i doubt for preschool ages though. All pubs allow minors inside til 9pm whilst accompanied by an adult and a few do have play areas outside so you can sit and have a beer outside and keep an eye on the little un`s. Depends on the ages of your kids though,i`m sure i`ll think of more,its not actually that bad for things to do,just costs as i`m sure you know. Would definately come in the summer months though,winter time can be pretty depressing at times,unless of course you enjoy hiking in gale force winds!

TelBoy

Excellent information, thanks guys

Gymbal they're 7 and nearly 6. In fact the small size of the island suits as it will mean there can't be any boring long car journeys for them!! Am thinking of doing it in September.

So is taking the car a realistic option from Essex innit, or would it be easier and cheaper to fly and pick up a hire car there? If i do a boat, i assume that's from Liverpool? Is that relatively stress free?

DeanF

iTrader: (1)

Telboy.

I have thought about this on several occassions & the only thing that keeps putting me off, is the higher cost of the ferry crossings. It always seems to work out higher than the accomodation !!

Who have you priced up with ??

Cheers

Dean

TelBoy

I haven't yet, Dean, i tried to click on the IOM Tourism link to the ferry company (which i think has exclusive rights hence the probable reason for the high cost) but it didn't work. A lot of poeple have mentioned the journey costs actually - doesn't bode well!!

Iwan

The Steam Racket Ferry Company is the only one serving the Island, hence they can pretty much name their own prices as there's no competition. Prices aren't too bad outside of TT fortnight though, for the TT they seem to go through the roof.

Gymbal

?5 hours to Liverpool, Seacat is 2hrs travelling booking in etc probably an hour.
I find September to be a really pleasant month weatherwise. Of course the Grand Prix is on then as well
Think you can fly from Stansted? certainly city of London

Gymbal

Re the Ferries it is cheaper to come to the Island than to leave it!

Go figure!

Except TT week where that reverses......

DeanF

iTrader: (1)

A bit like the Hotel California then !!!

You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!

Dean

Tidgy

i went, brok my gearbox and was only on the island for 36 hours pmsl

w3ell worht the trip.

but of advice for ya

yes they now have v power on the island.

upgrade to first class for the ferry trip over

make sure your car and in particular your brakes and tyres in good nick when you go over

jen98impreza

Manx grand prix is on the last 2 weeks in August this year?

CrisPDuk

30,000 alcoholics clinging to a rock

Top place

When the Manx Rally is on is a great time to visit too