The East
Douglas, Onchan & Laxey
The capital, the great wheel, and Victorian transport that still does its actual job.
The east coast is where most of the island lives. Douglas has two miles of Victorian seafront, horse trams along the prom in summer, and the ferry terminal at one end of it.
North along the coast, Laxey has the largest working waterwheel on earth and a mountain railway that climbs from the village to the summit of Snaefell. Between them, Onchan and Groudle hold the coastline together with glens and small bays.
Things to do
What to do in the east
On the water
- Douglas bay A long sweep of sand in front of the town. The tide goes a long way out.
- Sea kayaking round Douglas Head Under the cliffs, past the Tower of Refuge and back into the harbour.
- Port Soderick A small cove south of the town, reached down a wooded glen.
- Harbour boat trips Short runs round the bay in settled weather.
On foot
- Marine Drive Closed to cars, cut into the cliffs, and the best flat walk near the capital.
- Laxey Glen and the mines trail Wooded glen at the bottom, mine workings and the wheel above.
- Groudle Glen A short wooded walk down to a rocky cove, with a narrow-gauge railway alongside.
- Snaefell from the Bungalow The short way up the island's only mountain, from the mountain road.
- Onchan Head to Groudle Cliff-top walking with the whole bay behind you.
History and heritage
- The Laxey Wheel Lady Isabella, seventy-two feet across, still turning. Climb the spiral staircase to the top.
- The Great Laxey Mine Railway A restored narrow-gauge line running on summer weekends.
- The Manx Museum The island's national museum, free to enter, in the middle of Douglas.
- The Tower of Refuge A tiny castle on a rock in the bay, built for shipwrecked sailors.
- The TT course The start and finish line is on Glencrutchery Road. You can drive the course any day of the year.
Wildlife
- Seals in Douglas harbour Regular visitors round the fishing boats.
- Peregrines on Marine Drive Nesting on the cliffs, hunting over the bay.
- Seabirds off Douglas Head Guillemots and razorbills through the breeding season.
- Basking sharks Occasionally round the head in June, though the west coast is better.
With children
- The horse trams Along the promenade in summer, pulled at walking pace.
- The Snaefell Mountain Railway From Laxey to the summit, weather permitting.
- Onchan Park Boating lake, playground and pitch and putt.
- Groudle Glen railway A very small railway through the woods to the sea.
When it rains
- The Manx Museum Free, dry and better than it needs to be.
- A restored Victorian theatre Douglas has one of the finest in the British Isles. It still puts on a full programme.
- The Electric Railway to Ramsey An hour and a quarter of coast without getting wet.
Good to know
Before you go
- The horse trams and the Mountain Railway are seasonal, roughly Easter to October.
- Marine Drive is closed to cars. Walk it or cycle it.
- Race fortnight, late May into early June, transforms Douglas. Book a long way ahead.
- The Manx Museum is free. It is the best hour you can spend on a wet morning.
Stay here
Homes in the East
Every home in the collection is visited, inspected and looked after by people who live on the island.