Laxey (in Manx, Laksaa) is a small village of the Isle of Man, a crown dependency of the United Kingdom in the Irish Sea.

Understand

Laxey is home to the Laxey Wheel, a large water wheel 22 metres in diameter, often described as the biggest in the world. It is a small village and an important transport hub where the island's Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway meet.

Get in

Laxey Wheel

By plane

Isle of Man Airport, the main civilian airport on the Isle of Man, is located in the south of the island about 20km from Laxey. There are daily flights from all over Ireland and the United Kingdom.

By boat

There are daily ferries year round from Liverpool and Heysham in the United Kingdom and seasonal ferries from Belfast and Dublin. All ferries arrive in Douglas about 8km from Laxey.

By train

Laxey is connected by electric railway to Douglas and Ramsey.

See

• 1 King Orry's Grave, Orrys Mount, Ballaragh Road, Laxey, IM4 7PE. (Walk up the road facing opposite the bus shelter, it's signposted.). Neolithic burial site. (updated Aug 2015)
• 2 Laxey Wheel, Off Mines Road, Laxey, IM4 7NL. A large working water wheel. £5 adults, £2.50 children. 
• 3 Cashtal yn Ard, Dhoon Quarry Road. (There's a house at a turn in the road, take the path across the field from there, it leads straight to the site.). Largest and best preserved neolithic site in the British Isles. Nearest train stop is in Ballaglass Glen, you can also walk from the bus stop in Glen Mona. (updated Aug 2015)

Do

The Raad ny Foillan is a coastal path which follows the coast all the way around the Isle of Man. It passes through Laxey and is ideal for sea views.

Laxey beach is a 30 minute walk from the water wheel.

• Go up Snaefell. The Snaefell Mountain Railway leaves from Laxey station. At the summit there's a cafe, and you can walk down the mountain to the stop in Bungalow. The great views can sometimes be obscured by cloud, so check in advance whether it's worth the slow journey. £12 return adults, £6 children. (updated Aug 2015)

Sleep

There are a few bed and breakfasts in Laxey. For more choice it is advised to head to Douglas.

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.