Peel

Peel, in the west of the island, is an ancient town with links back to the times of the Viking kings of Man. Dating back to the 12th century, the castle on St Patrick’s Isle is an imposing presence in the town and has become a venue for many of the outdoor events there – from music festivals to Shakespeare. Originally a major fishing port, it is now home to many leisure sailing crafts, although the smoke houses still cure the traditional Manx Kipper from herrings landed in the town. The House of Manannan is a state-of-the-art interpretation centre, showing the nautical history of the Island from early Christian times. For the more traditional family holiday there is a wide sandy beach with a choice of ice-cream parlours, caf é s and restaurants. The spectacular sunsets give Peel its nickname ‘Sunset City’.