Isle of Man Steam Railway - Douglas
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Travel by steam train south from Douglas and you have a choice of destinations. At Ballasalla visit the ancient Cistercian monastery of Rushen Abbey, recently restored with a new interpretive centre explaining this historic monastic treasure, and also idyllic Silverdale Glen with it's cafe, boating lake and children's play area. In Castletown there are another four unique heritage sites continuing the Story of Mann, Castle Rushen, the Nautical Museum, The Old Grammar School and the Old House of Keys. Nearby there are shops, pubs and restaurants to visit. You can continue your journey south by connecting coach from Castletown to Port Erin, which is a favourite for families with its soft, sandy beach. Away from the beach explore Bradda Head and Milner's Tower which overlook the bay, play a round of golf, take a walk in the glen and relax in the station cafe. Well worth a visit is the Railway Museum and shop next to the station, with its visual displays and static rolling stock telling the story of Manx steam from the 1870's to the present day. From Port Erin you can take the short journey by train to Port St. Mary, with its busy sheltered harbour, sandy beaches, 9 hole golf course and cafe. From Port St Mary or Port Erin you can take a bus to Cregneash, a 19th Century Manx crofters village, or the new visitors centre and cafe at the Sound, the most southerly tip of the Island with stunning views of the Calf of Man. | |||||||||||||||||||