October 2024 Isle of Man Walking Holiday
Arrival and First Impressions
In October 2024, our group embarked on our second walking holiday of the year, this time to the beautiful Isle of Man. A total of 25 members set off, taking the ferry from Heysham to Douglas. The crossing was perfectly calm, and we arrived in Douglas at 6:00 PM, ready to begin our adventure.
Our accommodation for the next four nights was at King William’s College, a historic boarding school that opens its doors to guests during the holidays. For a large group like ours, the college provided an excellent package of bed, breakfast, evening meals, and packed lunches—all at a very reasonable cost. This arrangement was a delightful change from our usual self-catering cottages, giving us more time to relax without worrying about cooking or cleaning.
We arrived on Saturday evening and settled into our rooms, which were both comfortable and steeped in the charm of the college’s traditional architecture. Excitement was high as we looked forward to the next day’s exploration, despite the less-than-ideal weather forecast.
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Isle of Man Saturday
Day 1: Peel and the Tynwald National Monument
Sunday marked our first walking day, but due to a poor weather forecast, we had to adjust our original plans to ensure safety and practicality. Our revised route took us to the picturesque town of Peel, where we began our walk along the disused railway line leading to St. John’s.
This peaceful trail offered lovely views, and we paused for lunch at the National Monument at Tynwald, a site steeped in the island’s Viking history. After retracing our steps back to Peel, we had time to explore the town. Some members visited Peel Castle, while others wandered the quaint streets or enjoyed the seafront before we headed back to King William’s College.
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Isle of Man Sunday
Day 2: Coastal Walk Adventures
Tuesday greeted us with blue skies, but the weather remained challenging due to extremely strong winds. Despite this, it promised to be an exhilarating day for walking. The main group set out on a coastal hike from Port St Mary to Port Erin, while a smaller group opted for a shorter, more sheltered walk to explore the Herring Tower and Langness Lighthouse near the college.
The main group began their journey in Port St Mary, following the stunning coastal path toward the “Sound Café,” which boasts incredible views of the Calf of Man. The fierce winds kept us on high alert, especially as we navigated a narrow, tricky section of the path. Relief came when we stumbled upon a ruined stone shelter, where we stopped for a much-needed coffee break.
As we continued along the coastal path, the breathtaking scenery made every gust of wind worth it. The rugged coastline and sparkling waters provided a perfect backdrop, and spotting seals frolicking in the waves added a magical touch to our journey. By lunchtime, we reached the Sound Café, where we enjoyed our packed lunches with panoramic views of the Calf of Man and its wild surroundings.
After a leisurely break, we resumed our hike, heading toward Port Erin. The strong winds persisted, but the awe-inspiring vistas and more sightings of seals kept our spirits high. Reaching Port Erin felt like an accomplishment, and from there, our car drivers kindly retrieved the vehicles to transport us back to King William’s College.
Evening Fun and Games
Back at the college, we were treated to yet another delicious evening meal, a highlight of our stay. Following dinner, the group gathered in the college’s common room for an evening of relaxation and fun. A lively quiz and a variety of games brought plenty of laughter and camaraderie, making it a perfect way to wind down after the day’s adventures.
With the promise of more exploration ahead, we retired for the night, ready to embrace whatever the next day had in store.
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Isle of Man Monday
Day 3: Snaefell
After visiting the dining hall and indulging in a hearty full English breakfast (although some of our group opted for lighter alternatives), we were ready to tackle the final walking day of our trip: ascending Snaefell Mountain. The big question was whether to hike up the mountain or take an alternative route. After much thought and discussion, we decided to travel to Laxey and ascend the mountain using the historic Snaefell Mountain Railway.
With the tram almost entirely to ourselves, we enjoyed a stylish and leisurely journey to the summit, soaking in the tremendous views of the surrounding terrain and catching glimpses of the iconic Laxey Wheel. Once at the top, we paused to take in the breathtaking scenery and treated ourselves to coffee and cake in the summit café—a delightful reward before beginning our descent.
The descent was a memorable one, initially taking us to The Bungalow before continuing down through the valley, ultimately returning to Laxey. From there, we made our way back to the college, where we relaxed and prepared for yet another excellent evening meal.
That night, the festivities continued with an awards ceremony hosted by David, followed by more entertainment led by Mark. Laughter and camaraderie filled the room as we celebrated our time together. Knowing it was our final night at the college, we retired for the evening with mixed emotions—excited to spend the following day exploring and relaxing, yet already nostalgic as we anticipated our voyage home.
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Isle of Man 2024 Tuesday
Day4: Final Explore
After another wonderful breakfast at the college, it was time to bid farewell to what had been our home for the past four days and prepare for the final leg of our journey. One carload from our group departed the island on the early morning boat, but the rest of us had the day to explore before our evening sailing.
As we left the college and went our separate ways, we all agreed that we would return again to explore more of this beautiful island. Some of us revisited the Calf of Man and Peel before heading north to Ramsey, while others chose to explore places they had missed earlier in the trip. By evening, we regrouped in Douglas, where we shared a final dinner before rendezvousing at the port for our voyage home.
The sail home turned out to be a unique and exhilarating experience, as the sailing was classified as a “Dangerous Cargo” journey with restricted passenger numbers—just 35 in total, 20 of whom were from our group. Having the boat almost entirely to ourselves, we enjoyed a peaceful and smooth crossing, arriving back just before midnight.
All in all, it was an excellent holiday filled with great company, scenic walks, outstanding accommodations, and delicious food. The Isle of Man left a lasting impression on all of us, and we can’t wait to return and experience its beauty once again.
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Isle of Man 2024 Wednesday
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Isle of Man 2024 Wednesday
Day4: Final Explore
After another wonderful breakfast at the college, it was time to bid farewell to what had been our home for the past four days and prepare for the final leg of our journey. One carload from our group departed the island on the early morning boat, but the rest of us had the day to explore before our evening sailing.
As we left the college and went our separate ways, we all agreed that we would return again to explore more of this beautiful island. Some of us revisited the Calf of Man and Peel before heading north to Ramsey, while others chose to explore places they had missed earlier in the trip. By evening, we regrouped in Douglas, where we shared a final dinner before rendezvousing at the port for our voyage home.
The sail home turned out to be a unique and exhilarating experience, as the sailing was classified as a “Dangerous Cargo” journey with restricted passenger numbers—just 35 in total, 20 of whom were from our group. Having the boat almost entirely to ourselves, we enjoyed a peaceful and smooth crossing, arriving back just before midnight.
All in all, it was an excellent holiday filled with great company, scenic walks, outstanding accommodations, and delicious food. The Isle of Man left a lasting impression on all of us, and we can’t wait to return and experience its beauty once again.
You can see all the photos from the weekend in the gallery here