Castletown Things to Do

The Old House of Keys was once the centre of 19th century politics, before the House of Keys moved to Prospect Hill in Douglas. During a visit you can see how democracy has developed and the effect that political decisions have had. You will meet the secretary of the building before taking a seat in the fully restored debating chamber where there is an active debate on setting the laws of the Island. Sittings are at 12 and 3 and are about 45 minutes long.

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The Manx Aviation and Military Museum is a short distance from Castletown near Ronaldsway Airport. There are three large exhibition rooms with a vast variety of memorabilia representing military, civil and wartime aviation, as well as artefacts outside, including vehicles and machinery. Items include a Bren gun, mannequins in military uniform, photographs and even parts from aircraft that have crashed and been recovered. Here you can discover the story of the Manx Regiment who became the British Army’s best anti aircraft unit in World War II.

The Museum is open all year from 10am to 4.30pm at weekends, bank holidays and through the TT and Manx Grand Prix periods. Admission is free and there is a small shop, mainly selling souvenirs and models.

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The Nautical Museum is home to many different maritime exhibits but its main attraction is The Peggy, a ship which was found in 1935 concealed in a boat cellar. The Peggy had lain undisturbed and undiscovered for 100 years after her owner, Captain George Quayle, had died. The museum is based on the nautical history of the Isle of Man and particularly George Quayle, who lead such a life of mystery that no one dared to enter his boathouse or rooms above until the last family member had died.

The first part of the museum is mainly looking at exhibits, but the second part of the museum is more of a guided tour and begins at the boat house with a look at the Peggy. A guide (The man who showed us around was lovely and knew absolutely everything about the items in the museum) will then show you around and tell you the history of the ship. The tour leads on from the Peggy up into the rooms above. You will be shown hidden cupboards, secret passages, treasonous plans, evidence of smuggling and other maritime exhibits, including a reconstruction of a sail maker’s workshop, a replica cabin and a fishing gallery which includes models of boats, equipment and photographs depicting the importance of the fishing industry.

The Museum is open daily from April to October between 10am and 4pm. Admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

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The Old Grammar School was originally a chapel built about 1200. In 1700 the chapel was turned into a school, with a new extension added. It remained a school until it closed in 1930. It was saved by Manx heritage in the 50's and turned into a tourist site. Everything in the school is how it was left on its last day. There are a number of signs and exhibits around the room, including Victorian school books, equipment, examples of children’s work and information about the buildings history. take a few steps down into the school room, where you can sit at an old fashioned desk in the classroom, sit at the teacher’s desk, read lessons from the blackboard and see what type of equipment students had to use. There is also a small shop with gifts and books. It is open daily from 10am - 4pm (April to November), admission is free.

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Castle Rushen stands proudly in the centre of Castletown and is an impressive fortress which was once home to the Kings and Lords of Mann. It was originally built for a Norse king in 1265 and then developed by successive rulers between the 13th and 16th centuries. During this time it was used as a fortress, royal residence, a mint and even a prison.

There is a short film presentation before walking around the castle. While there is no guided tour, the route is clearly marked and there are guides along the way to answer questions or point out where to go next (they were all extremely friendly and helpful). Inside the Castle you’ll be able to explore it varied history; see Bishop Wilson in his cell, dine with the Kings and Lords of Mann in the great banqueting hall, experience the sights and sounds of a Medieval kitchen and visit the gatehouse. This is a fantastically preserved medieval castle and is enormous (much bigger than it looks). Many of the rooms have been set up to reflect different time periods in the history of the castle, such as prisons cells, a throne room and a grand dining room. There are also many artifacts, such as swords, clothes and letters and plenty of information boards in the rooms.

Be prepared for a lot of steps and most of them rather narrow spiral staircases, though the panoramic views of Castletown from the rampart are worth it.

The castle is open from 10am – 4pm on weekends in February and March and daily from April to November. The hours extend to 10am - 5pm in summer (May to September)

Admission is £6 for adults and £3 for children.

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Should you decide to visit Rushen Abbey from Castletown, it's worth walking a few hundred yards north of the abbey to the only mediaeval bridge in the Island, the 14th century Monks' Bridge across the Silverburn. From here it is also possible to take a walk through woodland into Lower Silverdale Glen.

Castletown Southern 100 and the TT Billown races held in summer months.
The Billown race is the last race of the TT usualy on the saturday. In july there is the Souther 100 race.