The ultimate travel guide to Ramsey, Isle of Man

Head north on the Isle of Man and you’ll find Ramsey, the second largest town on the Island. Ramsey has many tourist and leisure attractions and delightful shops and cafes to browse in. This travel guide to Ramsey, Isle of Man, will give you advice on how to get to Ramsey, where to eat in Ramsey, what to do in Ramsey, and where to stay in Ramsey. Enjoy!

What about Ramsey, Isle of Man?

Ramsey, the second largest town on the island after Douglas, is a coastal town in the north of the Isle of Man. You will find some shopping streets, a harbor that is still in daily use, a beach for sun seekers, a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen’s Pier, and a park with fun activities and stargazing possibilities. Ramsey has a much milder and sunny climate than the rest of the island and is an excellent choice to base your visit to the Isle of Man.

How to get to Ramsey, Isle of Man?

Ramsey is easily accessible to all parts of the island, being a twenty minute drive over the spectacular mountain road or scenic coastal route. The bus service is extensive as are the trains. Ramsey is also a lovely place to start your cycle- or motorcycling trip! You can reach Ramsey by travelling along the world famous TT Mountain Course, which affords stunning views of the countryside and coast or on the Manx Electric Railway where the line terminates (Ramsey railway station).

What to do in Ramsey, Isle of Man?

There are plenty of nice activities you can do in Ramsey, Isle of Man. Here’s a list with examples:

Watch the TT racers at Ramsey:

If you happen to visit Ramsey during the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy), you can make your way to Ramsey Hairpin, a popular vantage point where enthusiasts gather to watch the racers. The Famous Hairpin bend on the TT course is a short walk as is the buzz of Parliament square where the bikes make their turn up towards the mountain course. The Isle of Man TT is the ultimate ‘must see’ event for motorsport fans across the globe. Every May and June the Isle of Man turns into motorcycle nirvana as the world’s greatest road racers gather to test themselves against the incredible ‘Mountain Course’. If you are planning to visit Ramsey during the TT, make sure to book your accommodation in advance, because all rooms are usually sold out!

Relax at Ramsey beach:

In Ramsey you will find a golden, sandy beach which slopes gently down to the sea. Ramsey boasts the most sunny spot on the island, so if you like sunbathing, this beach is a great place to visit!

Go for a walk from Ramsey:

There are numerous walks from Ramsey taking in the wonderful coastline and the glens which surround the area.

Take a ride on the Manx Electric Railway:

The Manx Electric railway terminus is situated in the centre of Ramsey and from here you can take a coastal ride as far as Laxey, connect with the Snaefell Railway up to the top of the mountain or carry on through spectacular scenery to Douglas the islands capital. A must for all railway enthusiasts!

Visit the Albert Tower:

From the beach looking up to the south you can see the Albert Tower. The tower was built in 1847 to celebrate the royal visit of Prince Albert.

Visit the Milntown House:

If you love history, a visit to the Milntown House is a great fit for your travel itinerary. The historic house/palace from the early 16th century is open for house tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Enjoy the promenade walkaway:

The promenade walkway behind the beach is ideal for a leisurely walk.

Enjoy some fun activities at Mooragh Park:

If you are looking for some fun activities to do, Mooragh Park is well worth visiting. You can hire a boat or go canoeing, kayaking, or sailing on the water. There is also the possibility to play tennis, to enjoy a crazy golf course, or to use the BMX track.

Go stargazing at Mooragh Park:

In the evening, Mooragh Park is very suitable for stargazers. It is one of 26 registered Dark Sky Discovery Sites on the Isle of Man. With dark skies horizon from the north to South East, Mooragh Park is a perfect place to admire the Manx night sky.

See the Queen’s Pier:

Ramsey has one of the biggest harbours on the island and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen’s Pier. This is a distinctive landmark of Ramsey. The iron pier is about 650 metres or 700 yards long.

Go fishing:

There are some excellent opportunities for angling from the shores around Ramsey. If you like fishing, try to catch fish at Ramsey that include Bass, Tope, Dogfish, Grey Mullet, Mackerel, Coalfish, Plaice and Dab.

Where to eat in Ramsey, Isle of Man?

If you are looking for some Manx produced food, you can try a bite at Jean-Pierre’s Bistro, a family owned restaurant. A nice pub is The Raven, where you can find a lovely warm atmosphere. When visiting this pub, order a pint of Ravens Claw (a beer brewed exclusively for this pub). You can also eat in the Milntown Cafe, which has wonderful views of both the Walled Garden and the famous Winchester gates. The Royal George offers a fresh-look pub on Ramsey Harbour, making it a great place to pop in for a quick drink or bite to eat.

Where to overnight in Ramsey, Isle of Man?

Accommodation in Ramsey isn’t hard to find. Ramsey offers a good range of hotels and guesthouses. Booking.com is a good place to book your stay. A selection of some of my favorite places to stay in Ramsey, Isle of Man:

Beach House:

There is a really nice Beach House next to the Queen’s Pier. The Beach House boasts a 180° panoramic view of unspoiled Ramsey bay. 

Guesthouse: Baie Mooar Guesthouse:

Another great option is Baie Mooar Guesthouse, a guesthouse close to Mooragh Park with a great view of the sea and Snaefell. 

Hotel: Ramsey Park Hotel

The rooms of Ramsey Park Hotel offer great ocean- or park views! The parking facility is really good and so is the breakfast.

Apartment: Parliament Square

If you like to stay in an apartment, Parliament Square might be a good option. The apartment has two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and washing machine.

I hope this information can help you prepare and enjoy Ramsey, Isle of Man. I am sure you will enjoy Ramsey as much as I did. If you have been to Ramsey and know any other good things to do, food to eat, hang out places or anything else that could be useful for preparing a trip to Ramsey, please let me know in a comment! I would love to hear about it.

Author: Daphne

This article is part of the GPSmyCity iOS app. You can download it, read this article offline and obtain travel directions (by foot, car or bicycle) to the places mentioned in this article. Click here to download it.

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