Places to see

Castles, forts and homes around the island

What the people who look after or study each place say.

Castles and a Tudor fort

Castle Rushen, Castletown

Castle Rushen in Castletown is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the British Isles. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen Its walls are three feet thick. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen

It has been a Civil War fortress and the island’s Victorian prison. Manx National Heritage: Castle Rushen It was a fortress, a royal home, a mint and even a prison. Manx National Heritage: Access Guide for Castle Rushen (2026)

The town of Castletown grew up around the castle. Manx National Heritage: Access Guide for Castle Rushen (2026)

In 1988 it became a Manx National Heritage site, and it opened to the public as one in 1991. Visit IOM: Castle Rushen

Peel Castle, St Patrick’s Isle

Peel Castle stands on St Patrick’s Isle, joined to Peel by a causeway. Visit IOM: Peel Castle It is the biggest and most complex heritage site on the island, inside a 700-metre curtain wall. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle

Inside are almost two hectares of fortifications built over 700 years, with a cathedral, a church, chapels and graveyards. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle

You can go down into the crypt of the Cathedral of St German, built 800 years ago. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle There is a 16th-century great garrison hall. Manx National Heritage: Group visitor information for Peel Castle

Davey says Peel’s buildings face north in style, reflecting the earliest Norse kings and the bishop. Peter Davey, “Manx archaeology in the high Middle Ages” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

A ghostly black dog, the moddey dhoo in Manx, is said to haunt the isle. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle Look out to sea for seals. Manx National Heritage: Peel Castle

Derby Fort, St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island)

Derby Fort on St Michael’s Isle was built on the orders of King Henry VIII to keep out French or Spanish invaders. Manx National Heritage: St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island) St Michael’s Isle is first mentioned in the Chronicles as the site of a battle in 1250. Manx National Heritage: St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island)

Its St Michael’s Chapel was built on the site of a Celtic keeill. Manx National Heritage: St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island) After the war it became a lighthouse, until about a century ago. Manx National Heritage: St Michael’s Isle (Fort Island)

Hango Hill

Hango Hill is a Bronze Age burial mound with a later summerhouse on it. Manx National Heritage: Hango Hill

He was later tried and executed at Hango Hill. Some now see him as a Manx patriot. Manx National Heritage: Hango Hill

Iron Age forts

South Barrule

South Barrule is the earliest and only large summit hillfort on the island. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications Its stone-faced turf rampart enclosed at least 85 house sites. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications

Peter Davey counts at least 80 roundhouses inside two wide-spaced ramparts. Peter Davey, “Manx archaeology in the high Middle Ages” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

Davey compares South Barrule with forts in southern Britain, especially Wales, such as the big forts on the Llŷn Peninsula. Peter Davey, “Manx archaeology in the high Middle Ages” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

Cronk Sumark

Cronk Sumark is a small summit hillfort with vitrified ramparts: stone melted together by great heat. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications

Until it was drained in the 1600s, Cronk Sumark looked over a big wetland called the Curragh. Peter Davey, “Manx archaeology in the high Middle Ages” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002) Davey compares Cronk Sumark with Scottish vitrified forts, such as Dunadd. Peter Davey, “Manx archaeology in the high Middle Ages” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

Cronk ny Merriu

At Cronk ny Merriu, an Iron Age bank and ditch cut off a headland to make a fort. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Cronk ny Merriu

Manx National Heritage describes the later Cronk ny Merriu building as part of a system of coastal lookout posts. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Cronk ny Merriu Cronk ny Merriu overlooks Port Grenaugh, the only possible landing place on a rocky stretch of coast. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

Close ny Chollagh

At Close ny Chollagh, a stone-faced rampart enclosed four stone houses. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications Close ny Chollagh is not a natural headland: a ditch dug from the end of a deep sea inlet made it defensible. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

Cass ny Hawin

Cass ny Hawin was used in the Mesolithic, the Iron Age and the Viking Age. Manx National Heritage: Cass ny Hawin It overlooks an inlet, perhaps to warn off raiders. Manx National Heritage: Cass ny Hawin

Balladoole

Balladoole was used for living, defence and burial. Manx National Heritage: Balladoole Chapel Hill at Balladoole had Iron Age stone-faced earth ramparts around several stone houses. Manx National Heritage (archived gov.im page, 2012): Iron Age Fortifications

Homes, mounds and a tomb

The Braaid

At the Braaid you can see an Iron Age roundhouse and two Norse longhouses side by side. Manx National Heritage: The Braaid

The Braaid’s main longhouse was 20 metres long and 8 metres wide inside, with walls 2 metres thick. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002) A second building, 16.5 metres long, is thought to have been a house for animals. Andrew Johnson, “Watch and Ward on the Isle of Man” (Scottish Society for Northern Studies, 2002)

Broogh Fort

Broogh Fort is a flat-topped mound 20 metres across and 4 metres high, inside an 8-metre ditch. Manx National Heritage: Broogh Fort

It is probably a medieval motte, though it may have been a Bronze Age burial site or an Iron Age ringfort. Manx National Heritage: Broogh Fort It has never been properly excavated, so what it was for is still unclear. Manx National Heritage: Broogh Fort

King Orry’s Grave

King Orry’s Grave is a Neolithic tomb about 6,000 years old. Manx National Heritage: King Orry’s Grave Despite the name, there is little evidence to link it with the half-legendary King Orry. Manx National Heritage: King Orry’s Grave

Museums

The Manx Museum says the island has more Viking silver per square kilometre than England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Manx National Heritage: Manx Museum

Odin’s Raven, a replica Viking ship at the House of Manannan, sailed from Norway to the Isle of Man in 1979. Manx National Heritage: House of Manannan

Some of these places are dated as “years ago” and some in years BC or AD. More on when sources disagree.

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