The awarding winning Manx Museum or ‘Thie Tashtee Vannin’ (Manx; Island Treasure House) is an ideal introduction to the history and culture of the Isle of Man. Located at the edge of the town centre, the museum uses a range of media including a video presentation to introduce visitors to the “Story of Mann” a series of sites around the Isle of Man which represent and interpret 10,000 years of the island’s history.
The museum’s high quality Heritage Shop has an extensive range of products connected with Manx history and the work of Manx National Heritage. Visitors will also find traditional Manx recipes to their taste in the fine Bay Room Restaurant.
Free Admission. Open Mon – Sat 10.00 – 17.00 (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day)
Douglas Heritage Trails
Douglas Development Partnership has produced a series of three Douglas Heritage Trail booklets that visitors can obtain free of charge from the Partnership office on Victoria Street, the Tourist Information office in the Sea Terminal and Douglas Town Hall . Walk 1 covers the historic harbour area; walk 2 covers the town centre and walk 3 is along the Promenade. None of the walks are particularly strenuous. In the summer, the Promenade walk can easily be combined with a return journey on the historic Horse Trams.
Tower of Refuge
St. Mary’s Isle, or Conister Rock, in Douglas Bay has over the centuries, been the scene of countless shipwrecks and loss of life. The Tower was built as a result of Sir William Hillary having witnessed many ships being driven onto the rock and battered by the sea. He proposed the building of an extension to Douglas Harbour and a sanctuary on St. Mary’s Isle. Following the wreck of the St. George on St. Mary’s Isle in November 1830, Sir William launched a public subscription and after the funds were raised he commissioned the building of the structure. On St. George’s Day in 1832, Sir William laid the first stone. A visit to the Island the next year by the poet William Wordsworth inspired him to write about the ‘Tower of Refuge’ and the sanctuary has been known by that name ever since.
Sir William Hillary lived in Douglas and was the founder of what is known today as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
The Wreck of the St George is depicted in a bronze sculpture by Michael Sandle located in the Sunken Gardens on the Promenade just opposite the Tower.
Great Union Camera Obscura
Situated high on Douglas Head overlooking Douglas Bay is the newly refurbished Camera Obscura. The original Camera Obscura was built in 1887 although the current one was constructed several years later after its predecessor was destroyed by fire. The camera is unique in that it has 12 individual mirrors giving a 360 degrees view over Douglas Bay, Snaefell and out to sea. It is rumoured that the camera was used in Victorian times to spy on courting couples!
Please ask at the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal for opening times and admission.
Douglas Horse Trams
Taking a ride on the historic Douglas Horse Trams is the best way to travel the full length of the impressive Promenade. The horse trams, which are operated by Douglas Borough Council are the oldest working horse drawn tramway in the world. The tramway was established in 1876 by Thomas Lightfoot, a Sheffield engineer. Today, it uses many of the original tram cars and is pulled by a team of 31 working horses. In addition to riding the trams, visitors can arrange to visit the stables and tram sheds at the northern end of the Promenade. To arrange a visit, telephone the Tramway Superintendent’s office on 696335.
For stops, see map. Please note that due to the historic rolling stock, disabled access can be very difficult.
Island Explorer Tickets are also valid on the Horse Trams Service.
Manx Electric Railway.
The Manx Electric Railway connects with the Horse Trams at Derby Castle at the Northern end of the Promenade and is the perfect way to travel 17 miles up through the dramattic scenery of the east coast of the island to Laxey, Ramsey and various stops in between or to the top of the Island’s highest mountain, Snaefell.
The Electric Railway was first opened in 1893, when it ran from Douglas to Laxey. In 1899, the lines were extended to Ramsey. Trams 1 and 2 date back to 1893 and are the oldest running, regularly operated tramcars in the world.
The MER operates all year but with a reduced service in the winter. A full timetable can be obtained from the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal or the Travel Shop in Lord Street.
Island Explorer Tickets are also valid on the MER.
Please note that due to the historic rolling stock, disabled access can be very difficult.
Isle of Man Steam Railway
The Isle of Man Steam Railway operates between Douglas station at the western end of the historic harbour and Port Erin in the south of the island. The line which was established in the late 1800s takes in the rolling countryside and farmland of the south and passes through numerous quaint stations on its way to Port Erin. The 15 mile journey is the longest narrow gauge steam railway in the British Isles.
The Steam Railway operates from April until October. A full timetable can be obtained from the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal or the Travel Shop in Lord Street.
Island Explorer Tickets are also valid on the Steam Railway.
Please note that due to the historic rolling stock, disabled access can be very difficult.
Island Explorer Ticket
If you plan to travel during your visit in Douglas you can make use of the Island Explorer Ticket for unlimited travel on the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Horse Trams, Snaefell Mountain Railway and all scheduled bus services (except Manx Express).
For bus, train and tram travel information phone Isle of Man Transport on 663366 or visit the Travel Shop in Lord Street or the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal building.
Isle of Man Transport Bus and Rail Timetables are available on www.iombusandrail.info which also provides updated information on changes of routes due to road closures etc. email for Bus and Rail Information
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