Isle of Man

The Isle of Man packs a striking range of scenery into a small space, from the promenades of Douglas, the island's lively capital, to the quiet lanes around Sulby and Colby. Douglas offers the busiest base, with shops, restaurants and ferry links, while Ramsey in the north provides a calmer coastal town with easy access to the surrounding hills.

Peel, on the west coast, is known for its harbour, castle and fishing heritage, making it a good choice for a slower-paced stay. Laxey sits beneath the glens and is closely tied to the island's mining and wheel history, while Ballaugh and Union Mills are small, rural villages suited to those wanting peace and easy access to the TT course and countryside walks alike.

Douglas holds most of the Isle of Man's hotels and guest houses, and it makes sense given the island's compact size and the ferry terminal's location there. Places like the Mannin Hotel and Halvard Hotel sit within easy reach of the promenade, while smaller guest houses such as Edelweiss Guest House and Inglewood offer a quieter, more personal base for exploring the rest of the island.

Beyond the well-known names, there's a good spread of B&Bs and lodges, from The Town House and Cubbon House to Englewood Lodge and The Firs - Englefied studio, suiting anything from a TT week stopover to a longer family holiday. Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want to walk to the shops and seafront or prefer somewhere set back and more residential, with Raymonds and The Devonian representing the latter style.

The Isle of Man packs a great deal into a small space, and its attractions reflect a history bound up with the sea, steam and mining. The heritage railways are the obvious backbone of a visit: the Isle of Man Steam Railway runs between Douglas and Port Erin, the Manx Electric Railway links Douglas to Laxey and Ramsey, and the little Groudle Glen Railway makes for an easy family outing on the coast near Onchan.

Beaches and glens fill out the rest of the picture, from Douglas Beach and Ramsey Beach to the quieter shoreline at Laxey and Port Erin, with Glen Maye offering a wooded walk down to the sea. Peel Castle, set on St Patrick's Isle, is the standout historic site, while the Family Library in Douglas suits a slower, indoor day. Most places are within easy reach by road or rail, so it is worth mixing coastal towns with a glen or castle rather than sticking to one corner of the island.

Camping on the Isle of Man tends to mean small, family-run sites tucked into glens or set close to the coast, rather than large holiday parks. Around Ballaugh and Peel you'll find sites like Ballaugh Camping and Peel Camping Park within easy reach of the northern beaches, while Glen Wyllin Campsite sits close to its own sheltered cove.

Further east, Laxey Campsite and Onchan give a good base for exploring the electric railway and the hills above Douglas, and sites such as Glen Dhoo, Glenlough and Cronk Aashen Farm International Campsite offer a quieter, more rural setting inland. Silly Moos and Ballamoar round out the choice for those wanting glamping options alongside pitches, with sites spread widely enough across the island that location is worth weighing against your plans for the TT circuit, coastal paths or the hills.