Private Group Tours to the Isle of Man

Holiday Highlights

  • Return journey on the Isle of Man Steam Railway from Douglas to Port Erin
  • Visit to Cregneash Folk Museum
  • Visits to Castle Rushen, Peel Castle, the House of Mananan and Laxey Wheel
  • Milntown Garden Visit
  • One-way journey on Manx Electric Railway between Ramsey and Douglas
  • Return journey on Snaefell Mountain Railway
  • Douglas Horse Tram rides
  • Private transfers throughout your stay
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The Isle of Man is one of the UK’s hidden gems with vintage transport systems that literally take you back in time. It is a self-governing British Crown dependency located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland and has lots to offer visitors. It’s known for its rugged coastline, medieval castles and rural landscape, rising to a mountainous centre. Ffestiniog Travel has been running tours to the Isle of Man for over 20 years as it boasts wonderful, old-fashioned transportation, from steam railways, trams and even horse drawn trams. We run tours that explore the island and focus on its culture and history or for transport enthusiasts we can arrange ‘behind the scenes’ tours of the working railways and trams. We supply Island Explorer tickets that allow unlimited travel on scheduled services of the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and most bus services.

The Isle of Man is a pretty island with a mystical past and holds a unique charm that cannot fail to appeal to all visitors. It has been described by one writer as the “land of old-fashioned eccentric charm and mystical mistiness” - even its name is based on an obscure Celtic sea god - Manannán Mac Lir! Below is an example of a private tour we have arranged previously but itineraries can be amended to include more ‘hands on’ transportation tours for interested enthusiast groups. Please click on the Request a Quote button to plan your own bespoke group tour of the Isle of Man or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01766 512400.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Travel to the Isle of Man

Travel by train or coach to Heysham for the ferry crossing to Douglas, arriving late afternoon. You will be met at the Douglas Sea Terminal for a private transfer to the Welbeck Hotel.

Day 2 – Isle of Man Steam Railway

Step back in time for a wonderful journey and experience the grandeur of travelling between Douglas and the south of the Island on a Victorian railway, perfectly frozen in time. Travel a short distance by private coach to the steam railway station for the journey to Port Erin, where you will be met by private transport for a visit to Cregneash. Cregneash is a living illustration of a farming and crofting community from the 19th and early 20th Centuris. Observe plough horses, Loghtan sheep, shorthorn cows, pigs and Manx cats. Return to the station to travel back as far as Castletown for a visit to Castle Rushen, one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. The return journey continues by steam train before a private transfer back to the hotel

Day 3 – Peel

Private transfer by road from the hotel to St John’s and see the Church of St John, the original seat of the Isle of Man Government, before continuing to the fishing town of Peel. Visit Peel Castle, the fort of Magnus Barefoot, 11th Century Viking King of Mann, and the House of Manannan, to learn about the Island’s rich Celtic, Viking and Maritime past.

Later, transfer by road to Ramsay to visit the gardens at Milntown and cream tea perhaps. There are 15 acres of gardens and woodlands to explore in this historic setting. Throughout the gardens there are many excellent specimens of rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias and many other species too, all of which produce a dazzling display of blooms from early spring right through to summer. N.B - Two mobility scooters are available for use in the gardens on request.

The Milntown House is the most historic house on the Isle of Man. Once the home of the Christian family, Milntown has been a school, hotel and privately owned before being left in trust for the benefit of the Manx people and visitors to the Isle of Man. House tours of Milntown are available for a minimum of 15 people. They take place over more than one floor of the house and last approximately 1hr 15mins.

Return to Douglas on the Manx Electric Railway, an unforgettable journey along the east coast of this unique Island on a railway which dates back over 100 years.

Day 4 – Laxey

Board the Manx Electric Railway for the short ride to Laxey. There will be time to visit The Great Laxey Wheel or Lady Isabella (as she is also known), the largest working waterwheel in the world, before boarding the Snaefell Mountain Railway for a ride to the summit. This is a unique Victorian enterprise which winds its way up 2,000ft to the top of Snaefell. Snaefell is the Island's only mountain, its summit is 2036ft (621 metres) above sea level. Return to Douglas on the Manx Electric Railway.

Day 5 – At Leisure

A day at leisure to spend as you wish. A Go Explore pass gives unlimited travel on the Manx Electric Railway, Isle of Man Steam Railway, Snaefell Railway and most buses so you have a great choice of places to visit. Members of the National Trust or English Heritage receive free entry to many sites on the Island, and for anyone else we will include Heritage Explore passes which include unlimited entry to the same sites.

Day 6 – Return Home

A private transfer will take you back to Douglas Sea Terminal for your ferry back to England, arriving at Heysham at lunchtime.

Selected Hotels

Welbeck Hotel, Douglas

Please note - hotels can be subject to change

Price Includes

  • Ferry crossings from England to Douglas and return
  • Five nights’ accommodation at the Welbeck Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Private transfers as specified
  • Five Day Go Explore passes for unlimited travel on most buses and scheduled services of the Steam Railway, Manx Electric Railway, the Snaefell Mountain Railway and the Douglas Horse Trams
  • Excursions as mentioned
  • Lunches are NOT included
  • Evening meals are NOT included unless a half board upgrade is chosen

Price per person

Price available upon request

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Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
  • Created for people who love rail holidays and exploring the world’s heritage railways
  • Dedicated rail holiday specialist - great destinations, sightseeing and unparalled railway content
  • Train ticket supplier for worldwide rail operators - we can plan and arrange your rail journey to anywhere
  • Knowledge of the world’s rail routes makes us leading specialists in escorted and Tailor Made rail holidays
  • Over 60% of our existing rail tour travellers return to holiday with us year after year
  • Committed to supporting rail travel and heritage railways around the world
  • Our profits support the continued preservation of the famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
  • Small, dedicated rail holiday travel team offering an award winning personal service

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