Douglas Trip Overview
John is a fully qualified Isle of Man Government Blue Badge Driver Guide. He was involved in the archaelogical excavations at both castles and has a passion for castles and history. He is a storyteller, Viking re-enactor and bagpipe player.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 hours
Starts: Douglas, United Kingdom
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Douglas Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Douglas, Isle of Man, United Kingdom
John is a fully qualified Isle of Man Government Blue Badge Driver Guide. He was involved in the archaelogical excavations at both castles and has a passion for castles and history. He is a storyteller, Viking re-enactor and bagpipe player.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Tynwald National Park and Arboretum, St Johns
After a short orientation tour of Douglas we head West to St John’s in the middle of the Isle of Man to visit Tynwald Hill the site of our open air parliamnent which was started by the vikings in 979AD
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Peel Castle, Peel
We then head to Peel on the west coast to visit Peel Castle. Your guide John Shakespeare will show you around the castle and will also tell you about the excavations that he was invovled in the 80’s when they discovered the famous viking grave The Pagan Lady of Peel
The castle was built in the 11th century by the Vikings, under the rule of King Magnus Barefoot. While there were older stone Celtic monastic buildings on the island, the first Viking fortifications were built of wood. The prominent round tower was originally part of the Celtic monastery, but had battlements added at a later date. In the early 14th century, the majority of the walls and towers were built primarily from local red sandstone, which is found abundantly in the area. After the rule of the Vikings, the castle continued to be used by the Church due to the cathedral built there – the see of the diocese of Sodor and Man – but was eventually abandoned in the 18th century.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: House of Manannan, Mill Road, Peel IM5 1TA
We then head to the House of Manannan in Peel a museum that has some of the finds from Peel Castle but also a replica viking longboat Odin’s Raven
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Castletown, Castletown, Isle of Man
From Peel we head south over some stunning scenery to the Isle of Man’s old capital Castletown where we have lunch
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Castle Rushen, Castletown Square, Castletown IM9 1LD
After lunch we visit Castle Rushen the finest medieval castle in Europe. Completely intact it was the home of the Kings of Mann and lastley used for as the Island prison
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
