Travel to Douglas

Travel to Douglas

Douglas, a place of natural beauty and history, is located on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, between the United Kingdom and Ireland. Douglas is the capital city and the hub of much island activity. It offers a large variety of accommodation, tourist attractions and other visitor facilities including first-class shopping, banks and historic buildings.

Transportation to Douglas

The two principal means of getting to Douglas are by air and ferry. The small Ronaldsway Airport serves a number of UK and Irish destinations. It is located 10 miles south of the capital and is easily accessible by bus and train. The single-terminal airport has good passenger facilities including a restaurant, shop and viewing area.

Ferries travel from Heysham and Liverpool in the UK as well as from Belfast and Dublin in Ireland to Douglas. This is the best means of travel for those wishing to bring their own vehicle to the island. The ferry port is located right in Douglas Town. Vintage electric and steam trains also serve Douglas from other towns on the island, while there also is an extensive bus network.

What to see

The Promenade lines the seashore in Douglas and goes on for two miles. This is where many hotels and restaurants can be found, and most of the tourist activities in the town originate. The main attraction on the Promenade itself is the horse-drawn trams that travel along the seashore. Dramatically located in Douglas Bay, the Tower of Refuge is a fortress-like building that rises out of the sea. It was originally used as a refuge for those unfortunate people whose ships struck the reef.

The best spot to gain an overall view of the capital city is from Douglas Head, easily reached by following Head Road. Farther in this direction, youll come across the Camera Obscura, one of only a few still open in the British Isles.

Daytrips

Virtually any point on the island can be reached within a couple of hours, either by car, train or bus. The medieval castle in Castletown was used for residence, defence, jail and official offices. The ruined castle on the Isle of St Patrick near Peel is home to tales of Vikings, monks and a ghost dog. Cregneash is a village locked in time, where the people still live in thatched cottages and speak the local Manx language.

Activities and leisure

There is good fishing in the islands lakes and streams, and the Irish Sea also offers plentiful catches. The island is home to no less than eight golf courses, with Douglas Golf Club at Pulrose Park being the nearest to the capital. Diving is also popular in the clear waters around the island, with many ship wrecks to discover.

Safety issues

Douglas is a very safe town for visitors. The annual Isle of Man TT motorcycle race can be dangerous for onlookers. Make sure you stay well within the safety barricades.