The West
Peel & Niarbyl
The sunset coast. A castle on an islet, kippers over oak and the best light on the island.
The west coast gets the good end of the day. Peel is a red sandstone town round a working harbour, with a castle on its own islet and a beach that turns the colour of whatever the sky is doing.
South of it the coast rises into the cliffs at Niarbyl and Dalby, where the road runs along the top and the views run all the way to Ireland on a clear evening.
Things to do
What to do in the west
On the water
- Peel bay and Fenella beach Sand under the castle walls, with the most sheltered swimming on the west coast.
- Sea kayaking round St Patrick's Isle Round the castle, under the cliffs and back into the harbour.
- Sea angling From the breakwater or by boat out of Peel.
- Basking sharks They come close inshore off the west coast in June. Watch from the cliffs or the water.
On foot
- Peel Hill and Corrin's Folly Straight up from the beach for the best view of the town and the whole bay.
- Niarbyl to Dalby Cliff path with the Tail of the Rocks below and a thatched cottage at the start.
- Glen Maye A wooded gorge down to a waterfall and a shingle cove.
- Eary Cushlin and the Sloc High, open and quiet, with the Calf in the distance.
- The heritage trail to St John's Flat, traffic-free and along an old railway line.
History and heritage
- Peel Castle Curtain walls, a round tower and a cathedral ruin, all on an islet joined by a causeway.
- The House of Manannan The island's story told properly. Mostly indoors, too.
- Tynwald Hill, St John's A stepped mound where the parliament still meets in the open air each July.
- The oak smokehouses Kippers still cured over oak chips in the town, as they have been since the 1880s.
- The Cathedral of St German The working cathedral, in the middle of Peel.
Wildlife
- Basking sharks Second-largest fish in the world. June is the month.
- Seals below Niarbyl Usually visible from the path on a calm day.
- Seabirds on the castle walls Fulmars, shags and kittiwakes nesting on the stonework.
- Choughs along the west cliffs Noisy, acrobatic and easiest to spot near the Sloc.
With children
- Peel beach and the harbour Sand, boats and the castle across the water.
- Castle ramparts Room to run and a lot of walls to climb on.
- The heritage trail by bike Flat and traffic-free the whole way to St John's.
- Crabbing off the quay A line, some bacon and a bucket.
When it rains
- The House of Manannan Two hours indoors and worth every minute.
- Peel's independent shops Small, dry and clustered together.
- The castle's covered exhibits Enough shelter to wait out a squall. Squalls here are quick.
Good to know
Before you go
- The best sunsets on the island are from Fenella beach or the top of Peel Hill.
- Niarbyl's car park is small. Go early, or go at the end of the day when it clears.
- The heritage trail from Peel to St John's is flat and suits any bike.
- Kippers are smoked to order. Ask about timings before you build lunch around them.
Stay here
Homes in the West
Every home in the collection is visited, inspected and looked after by people who live on the island.