Laxey and Snaefell
Laxey and Snaefell
Laxey is a village on the east coast of the Isle of Man that has a history that stretches back to the Viking Era, where at one point the most profitable mine in Britain was located and consequently the reason why the World’s largest waterwheel is located here. We will go to see this quaint attraction by departing Douglas on the Manx Electric Railway, snaking our way up to Laxey where we will alight. From there we will take the short walk or the train (if operational that day ) to the Laxey Wheel and we will get to have a look along the way at what remains of the washing floors, a place where takes abound of the ordinary person just trying to make a living in the most testing of conditions. After that, we can go for a walk to the beach where you’ll see some traditional Manx Stone cottages along the way as well as a woolen mill that has a story of its own to tell before we have some lunch on the shorefront. From there we will go up to the summit at Snaefell, where you can see the Seven Kingdoms, The Isle of Man, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, some say the Kingdom of the Sea, and last but not least, the Kingdom of Heaven.
The journey up Snaefell takes place on the Snaefell Mountain Railway, a completely unique transport system that has been in operation since 1895. Built in only 7 months it has stood the test of time, and as we climb to the top I will be able to tell you about the tragic Snaefell Mining Disaster, a story that deserves to be a film someday. Following our descent I will escort you back to your hotel/place of residence if you so wish.