Download GPX file for this article
54.14521-4.48172Full screen dynamic map

From Wikivoyage
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Douglas

Douglas is the capital city of the Isle of Man, a crown dependency of the United Kingdom in the Irish Sea.

Understand

Douglas is the capital of the Isle of Man. The island's government assembly, the House of Keys, is located there. Douglas is also the main centre of commerce on the island and home to around a quarter of the island's population.

The town's main areas are the sea front which stretches for 2 miles between the Onchan and the Sea Terminal. The Quay area near the Sea Terminal is popular for drinking and shopping. Away from the sea front are shopping districts, financial offices and government buildings while Upper Douglas becomes more residential.

Get in

By plane

The only operating commercial airport on the Island is the Isle of Man Airport in Ronaldsway, located about 15km south of Douglas. Flights depart to London Luton, Gatwick and City, as well as (amongst other destinations) Dublin, Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Birmingham. Select flights to smaller UK airports often operate during the summer months.

By car

If you are flying into Ronaldway Airport, then you can rent a car to drive into the town.

By boat

Ferries from Liverpool and Heysham in England to Douglas operate all year round. Ferries from Belfast and Dublin operate a more restricted schedule to Douglas. Be advised that transport to the island during the last week of May and the first week of June may be extremely expensive and often fully booked a year in advance because of the TT Festival.

By steam train

Close to the airport is a halt stop of the Isle of Man Steam Railway which runs from Port Erin, in the south, to Douglas. It offers one of the few opportunities to take a steam train from the airport to your destination. Trains run during the summer months only.

Get around

A horsedrawn tram, one of only two left in the world, runs the Douglas promenade's length, from the ferry terminal to the Manx Electric Railway's southern terminal. There is also a bus service in town.

Douglas is easily walkable.

See

  • 1 Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove, +44 1624 648000. Museum dedicated to the history and the natural history of the Isle of Man. There is a section dedicated to Viking finds. Free entry.
  • 2 Castle Mona. A seaside mansion designed by George Steuart for John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl. Completed in 1804.
  • 3 Jubilee clock. A street clock commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign (1887).
  • 4 Gaiety Theatre, Harris Promenade (Buses 1, 2, 11, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D stop at the Gaiety Theatre), +44 1624 600555. 1900 theatre and one of the few remaining theatres designed by Frank Matcham. Incredibly detailed interior

Do

  • Buy Kippers. Buy kippers from one of the two kipper shops on Strand Street
  • Go on the Horse Tram Railway. Travel from the Sea Terminal to the far end of Douglas Bay using the Horse Tram £3 (Aug 08) apx.
  • TT. See the start of the TT from the Grand Stand over looking Nobles Park.

Buy

Douglas is the island's shopping capital and most chain stores are located in Strand Street and Duke Street close to the sea front. Smaller independent shops can be found around the Quay area close to Strand Street and the Sea Terminal (where ferries from the UK and Ireland dock). This area has been semi-pedestrianised in recent years and includes small cafés, pubs and Douglas Train Station (for steam trains to the south of the island).

Eat

Food in the Isle of Man is more expensive than in the UK. Expect to pay upwards of £30 per head for a meal in a restaurant.

Drink

There are many places to drink in Douglas, from typical British pubs to cocktail and wine bars.

Sleep

There are a large number of bed and breakfasts in Douglas with high quality hotels such as the Sefton and Hilton also available (£90 a night).

It is strongly that you book ahead especially in the TT Season when rooms will be at a premium.

Stay safe

The Isle of Man is largely a very safe place but petty crime does occur, and as with any destination, tourists should always be on their guard.

Go next

Why not take an old electric tram north to Laxey or Ramsey? Alternatively take a steam train south to Castletown, the island's old capital, and Port Erin. Motorcycle enthusiasts might like to do a lap of the TT Course (36 miles) starting at the Grandstand in Douglas.

This city travel guide to Douglas is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!