Mingle with the stars in Isle of Man

While London’s tourist attractions are the most Googled in the world, few visitors would think of the British Crown dependency of Isle of Man as a holiday destination.

This island, also known as Mann, lies in the middle of the Irish Sea is a perfect getaway for an enjoyable holiday. It offers a mixed bag of an action-packed fun holiday and the tranquillity of the countryside.

You will also enjoy watching colourful clear skies with twinkling stars and other astronomical wonders.

The  52-kilometre island which lies between the coastlines of the United Kingdom and Ireland is a self-governing British dependency with the British Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State. She holds the title of Lord of Mann.

My hosts Eddie and his wife Samantha told me over dinner that local legend has it that the Isle of Man was created when the Irish giant Finn MacCooill, during a battle, threw a chunk of earth towards Scotland and it landed in the Irish Sea and became the Isle of Man.

This beautiful island is blessed with an extensive coastline, spectacular natural views and unspoilt beaches.

A visit to the Isle of Man will be a voyage of discovery. It is full of contrasts and character, offering a wealth of things to see and do.

With a tiny population of around 86,000, the island offers lots of open space and attractions such as nature and beauty spots, wildlife and animal attractions, clean beaches, historical monuments and heritage sites.

The island’s capital, Douglas, is a unique blend of a traditional British resort, busy working harbour and a thriving finance centre and many offshore companies are based there. It is the island’s largest town and is set against a two-mile sweeping bay and sandy beach where children can enjoy with a spade and bucket while their parents grab deck chairs and relax. 

The well-preserved vintage transport systems make you feel that the Isle of Man has been living in a bygone era. I boarded a horse tram for a trip along the stretch of the sea and enjoyed stunning views.

In an era of diesel, electric and bullet trains, taking a ride on the narrow-gauge steam railway to Peel on the west coast was an exhilarating experience reminding me of the steam locos during the olden days of the East African Railways.

The Manx Electric Railway links the south and north of the island. Travel on this network and you will enjoy many heritage attractions en-route.

Douglas also has attractive shopping and entertainment complexes.

Visit the ancient cobbled streets of the historical capital Castletown and enjoy seeing one of Europe’s most preserved medieval castles.

If you travel to the east, you will enjoy a glimpse of the world’s largest working waterwheel.

The island’s west coast has some glorious sandy beaches at Peel and Port Erin where you can visit the sheltered bays and enjoy the chance of spotting basking sharks and seals.

Nature is in its full glory in the Isle of Man which is recognised for its dark night skies which, far from being spooky, add character and tranquillity to the rural area.

The Isle of Man got top marks from the UK Campaign for Dark Skies as being among the best places for star-gazing.

You will enjoy stunning views on a clear night and see many astronomical wonders with the naked eye. With the aid of binoculars or a telescope, the heavens  open up even more spectacularly to reveal much more than twinkling stars.

Locals say there are times when they can see the fascinating phenomenon of Northern Lights from the island, a sight that is normally the preserve of the northerly locations of Iceland, Norway and Alaska.

The Manx Night sky is an amazing experience that has astounded even more experienced stargazers.

This island is a fantastic place to spot a wide range of animals in the wild.

The Curraghs Wildlife Park is the home of some 100 different types of animals such as meerkats, pandas, penguins and monkeys.

Among the many heritage attractions are some medieval castles, including Rushen and Peel. Rushen, in Castletown, is an impressive fortress which was once the home of the Kings and Lords of Mann.

Built in 1265, this castle has been used as a royal residence, a fortress, a mint and even a prison.

Inside the castle’s towering limestone walls one can indulge in the history of that era and visit the attractive banqueting hall where Kings and Lords of Mann dined.

Peel Castle, on St Patrick’s isle, was originally a church before being turned in to the Fort of Magnus Barefoot — the 11th century Viking King of Mann.

The castle’s curtain wall encircles the ruins of many buildings and showing the religious and secular significance in Manx history.

I took a stroll in the castle’s grounds and climbed to the top of the Gatehouse Tower to enjoy stunning panoramic views of Peel. I was warned to watch out for Moddey Dhoo — a ghostly apparition of a black dog which is said to haunt the castle!

You will not be short of things to see in the Isle of Man. All you need is time.