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From a driver’s perspective, the Isle of Man is one of the most interesting places in the British Isles.
One guide to the small island says: “Unlike the UK there is no national speed limit.”
“There are speed restrictions in built up areas, but after passing a ‘National Speed Limit’ sign, there ceases to be any speed restriction, although people driving in a reckless manner may well be stopped by the police.”
At the heart of the Isle of Man’s cultural scene is its capital Douglas and its Irish Sea port. And there is plenty for people to see and do.
As well as driving along its amazing roads, tourists can enjoy a Viking tour of the island to discover its ancient history, ride the famous Steam Railway, visit the Great Laxey Wheel, and several castles dotted around the island.
According to Lonely Planet, there could be some misconceptions about the Isle of Man. They explained: “Forget what you may have heard on the mainland: there’s nothing odd about the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin in the local lingo, Manx).
“The island’s reputation for oddity is entirely down to its persistent insistence that it do its own thing, rejecting England’s warm embrace in favour of a semiautonomous status (it is home to the world’s oldest continuous parliament, the Tynwald).”
While one Trip Advisor review said: Nestled along the east coast of the Isle of Man, the small holiday resort of Douglas oozes charm. Visitors may enjoy horse-drawn tram rides along its pedestrian shopping promenade, dotted with restored 19th century buildings and lining the shore with independent boutiques and High Street shops.
“The new Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre Complex entertain with all sorts of performing arts and films, while the gardens and museums sprinkled throughout the town promise relaxation and culture.”
Although Douglas is the cultural hub of the Isle of Man, it is probably best known for the Isle of Man TT which sees motorbikes and sidecars travel at up to 200mph.
The Isle of Man only has a population of around 84,000, but every year that grows by nearly fifty percent when thousands of fans descend on the island for the Isle of Man TT, an annual motorbike race around the island.
Incredibly, all this racing takes place on roads that are normally used by the public. This means that for several days each year, superbikes are ridden past pubs, cafes and sheep at over 200mph, inches from danger.
The island is also home to incredible wildlife. Puffins, seals and dolphins can be spotted in the island’s waters while there are also exotic creatures on land.
The Manx Loaghton are a type of sheep that’s native to the Isle of Man and they usually have four horns. They are extremely rare and today there are fewer than 1,500 registered breeding females.
The Isle of Man is also the perfect place to stargaze as it’s home to a whopping 26 Registered Dark Sky Discovery Sites.
