Camping in Union Mills

Union Mills sits directly on the River Dhoo, with wooded glens rising on either side of the village, making it a pleasant, low-key spot to pitch a tent or book into a glamping stay on the Isle of Man rather than the more familiar camping counties of England, Wales or Scotland. Glenlough Campsite, a family-run site with around 250 pitches, sits right on the TT course only three miles from Douglas, while Saba's Glen Yurt Eco Campsite offers wooden yurts with outdoor hot tubs in a conservation area beside the river, a good option for anyone who wants the setting without the tent-pitching. During TT fortnight in late May and June, additional temporary campsites open in and around the village, including pitches at the local football club, to cope with the huge seasonal influx of race fans, so this is by far the busiest and most sought-after time to camp here.

Outside race weeks, camping in Union Mills is a quieter affair, with the river, the old railway trackbed and the walking route through to Peel giving campers plenty to explore on foot. Wild camping is broadly tolerated across much of the Isle of Man on a leave-no-trace basis, but there is no automatic legal right to camp on private land as there is in Scotland, so anyone considering pitching up outside a recognised site should always seek the landowner's permission first, and be aware that certain locations, such as the Ayres nature reserve and the Sulby Claddagh, require a permit. Sticking to Union Mills' established campsites avoids any doubt. Late spring through to early autumn is the best season, with long daylight hours either side of the TT making a stay here feel like camping inside the race itself, while damp, breezy winters are better suited to the yurt than the tent.