Isle of Man

This Month in Isle of Man:

Shopping: Stamp collectors can add Manx first day covers and presentation packs to their horde - and post them home - at the Douglas town centre Post Shop, which also sells collectable coins and other souvenirs (Post Shop, Regent Street, tel: 01624 698432).

Sightseeing: More than a hundred of years of history combine with modern motorbikes travelling at breakneck speeds to create the special atmosphere of the island's world-famous annual TT Races, held over the 37-mile Mountain Course (26 May - 8 June, iomtt.com).

Isle of Man News & Gossip

Weekend in the Isle Of Man

FRIDAY

When I first visited the Isle of Man, it struck a chord with my six-year-old imagination with its tailless Manx cats, castles and Thomas the Tank Engine look-alike trains. More than 20 years later, when I took my own children to the island, I found that it had the same classic charm and outdoor attractions to excite the young and young at heart.

Hire a car (book at www.easyJet.com) and you'll be able to transport yourselves, buckets and spades, a change of clothes and packed lunches across the island. We went straight to the main port town of Peel. The ruins of neighbouring Peel Castle (West Quay) had the kids running around like ants in a mammoth game of hide and seek. A note to all: beware of ghostly Moddey Dhoo! This black dog is said to haunt the ancient fortress (although, much to my boys' disappointment, we didn't spot him). On the breakwater, we fought off hungry seagulls to tuck into the kiosk's delicious fresh crab and kipper baps (locals will proudly tell you they have the best kippers in the world), and watched the seals competing with local anglers for their fish suppers. We eagerly kept our eyes out for basking sharks - they're often spotted off the coast in summer - but no such luck. We consoled ourselves with an iced treat from Davidson's Ice Cream Parlour (3 Castle Court, The Promenade). Made with local double cream, the flavours range from bubblegum to banoffee and chocolate ripple.

Recommended for its child-friendly menu and atmosphere, we made a dinner reservation at The Hawthorn (Main Road,Greeba). My partner and I loved the succulent Manx chops while the kids happily tucked in to scampi and chips and more ice cream. At the end of the day, we checked into our room at The Town House in Douglas (from €147 for two adults and two children per night; book at www.hotels.easyJet.com) for a bedtime story (the children) and a sneaky glass of vino (Mum and Dad)!  

SATURDAY

My eldest son is a train enthusiast, so after breakfast we headed off early for Douglas' Derby Castle station in time to catch the Manx Electric Railway (MER) tram to Laxey. We wanted to sit in the open carriage and take advantage of the spectacular coastal views, but sadly the weather had other ideas. At Laxey, the children raced off to clamber to the top of the Lady Isabella, the largest working waterwheel in the world, then we headed down into the defunct lead mine.

After Manx cheddar sandwiches and homemade brownies at the charming but twee Laxey Station Café, we boarded the mountain railway for a trip to the 620m peak of Snaefell, the island's highest point. We were told that on a clear day you can see to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, protected against the elements in our waterproofs, we couldn't see much! The MER continues as far as Ramsey, and I remember Mooragh Park's boating lake, crazy golf and playground being a fantastic family spot.

But we didn't have the time (or inclination) to go on such a soggy day. La Piazza (Loch Promenade, Douglas, tel: +44 (0)1624 672 136) was a bright and bustling Italian restaurant for dinner. My Manx Queenies (scallops to you and me) with bacon and cherry tomatoes were fresh and delicious.

SUNDAY

The island's beautiful Victorian narrow gauge steam railway was an instant hit, so our final day was spent on the trains too. Red engine Loch chugged us along from Douglas to Castle Rushen (Castle Street), one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. The boys were captivated from the moment we crossed the drawbridge, pretending to fire arrows and climbing up the spiral staircase for scenic views. The rest of the family found it hilarious to put Mum in the stocks.

For lunch, we went to The Garrison tapas restaurant (5 Castle Street, Castletown, tel: +44 (0)1624 824 885), which boasts views across Castletown Bay. Nearby Port Erin, a short train ride away, was a perfect place to unpack buckets and spades and squeeze in one last ice cream at Roberto's Gelateria (The Promenade) before heading to the airport.

Isle of Man Trivia

• May: One of the island's traditional recipes is Manx bonnag - a sweet bread.

• April: The island is popular with divers, with the coastline boasting at least 97 shipwrecks.

• March: Many Manx people still call rats "long tails" because an old superstition has it that mention of the animals brings fishermen bad luck.

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