Peel (Isle of Man)

Peel (Manx: Purt ny h-Inshey – Port of the Island) is a small fishing port and beach resort on the west coast of the Isle of Man. Its main attraction is the castle, occupying an islet linked by road. In 2021 Peel had a population of 5710.

Get in
Peel is 12 miles by road from Douglas, the capital and ferry port, follow A1 west.

Bus 6 is the quickest from Douglas, running hourly daily and taking 35 min via Union Mills and St Johns.

Bus 4 / 4B runs from Douglas every two hours, taking an hour via Foxdale.

Bus 5 runs from Douglas every hour or two and takes 45 min, then turns east across the island to Ramsey, another 35 min.

Night Bus N5 runs from Douglas shortly after Friday midnight.

The main bus stop in Peel is by Town Hall.

Get around
Peel is small and walkable. The bus to Douglas will take you to Tynwald, but you need your own wheels for Niarbyl.

Anne's Taxis are on +44 1624 843799.

See

 * is the harbour light at the end of the breakwater, built in 1896. You can walk or drive here via West Quay, which skirts the castle walls, for views back over town.
 * Castle Jetty is a little pier along West Quay, with a stubby green-hooped harbour light built in 1946, looking like a dalek trying on a Celtic football shirt but failing to find its size.
 * East Quay on the other river bank has the best vista of the castle. Fenella footbridge is the shortcut to West Quay.
 * is a ruin on Castle St. It was built in the 15th century as a "chapel of ease" - the one you used if you couldn't reach the island cathedral - and when that fell derelict St Peters became the parish church. It was abandoned once the new cathedral opened, and most of it was lost to fire in 1954.
 * Isle Contemporary Art Gallery is on Mill Rd opposite House of Manannan, open W-F 14:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-17:00.
 * is a ruin on Castle St. It was built in the 15th century as a "chapel of ease" - the one you used if you couldn't reach the island cathedral - and when that fell derelict St Peters became the parish church. It was abandoned once the new cathedral opened, and most of it was lost to fire in 1954.
 * Isle Contemporary Art Gallery is on Mill Rd opposite House of Manannan, open W-F 14:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-17:00.
 * Isle Contemporary Art Gallery is on Mill Rd opposite House of Manannan, open W-F 14:00-17:00, Sa 11:00-17:00.

Further out

 * was the original site of the island parliament, in the hamlet of St John's. On Tynwald Day 5 July (corresponding to midsummer day by the Julian calendar) crowds gather to hear all new legislation proclaimed in Manx and English, and there's a fair.
 * Tynwald Arboretum is a bosky park north side of Tynwald Hill.
 * is a scenic promontory and shingle beach. The "Japetus Suture" is visible here: the opposite of a fault line, this is where the continents of Laurentica and Baltica fused 420 million years ago as Japetus Ocean closed up. The thatched fisherman's cottage has featured as a film location.

Do

 * Peel beach is one of the best on the island, long and sandy with views of the castle. No dogs April-Sept.
 * Centenary Centre hosts shows and events. It's at 22 Atholl St by the Town hall and cathedral.
 * West Coast Fitness is east off Poortown Rd. They have a gym and fitness classes, with day-membership available.
 * Hike: Raad ny Foillan is a coastal footpath right around the island. Southbound it's 15 miles to Port Erin, a little shorter if you skip Niarbyl and Bradda Head. Northbound is 7½ miles to Kirk Michael then another 7 to Jurby.
 * Golf: Peel GC is on Rheast Lane south edge of town. White tees 5919 yards, par 69, visitor round £35.
 * Viking Longboat Races are next held on Sa 20 July 2024.
 * Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is a music festival based in Peel. The next is 22-28 July 2024.

Buy

 * Convenience stores are Shoprite (two branches), Co-op Food and Spar, all open daily to 21:00.

Eat

 * Manx kippers are a local delicacy, though Moore's has closed down.
 * Quayside Fish & Chips is next to the Leece Museum, open M-Sa 11:30-14:00, 16:30-21:00.
 * Davison's Ice Cream Parlour is on Shore Rd next to Harbour Lights, open daily 10:00-16:30.
 * Black Dog Oven is a pizzeria on East Quay next to The Boatyard, open Th F 16:00-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-21:00.
 * Davison's Ice Cream Parlour is on Shore Rd next to Harbour Lights, open daily 10:00-16:30.
 * Black Dog Oven is a pizzeria on East Quay next to The Boatyard, open Th F 16:00-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-21:00.
 * Black Dog Oven is a pizzeria on East Quay next to The Boatyard, open Th F 16:00-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-21:00.

Drink

 * The Miller's T'Ale is at 33 Michael St towards Town Hall, open M-Th 17:00-22:30, F-Su 16:00-22:30.
 * The Miller's T'Ale is at 33 Michael St towards Town Hall, open M-Th 17:00-22:30, F-Su 16:00-22:30.
 * The Miller's T'Ale is at 33 Michael St towards Town Hall, open M-Th 17:00-22:30, F-Su 16:00-22:30.
 * The Miller's T'Ale is at 33 Michael St towards Town Hall, open M-Th 17:00-22:30, F-Su 16:00-22:30.

Connect
Peel and its approach roads have 4G from Sure and Manx. As of April 2023, 5G has not rolled out on the Isle of Man.

Go next

 * Douglas is the island transport hub and has the most amenities.
 * Ramsey is a resort on the east coast. See that page also for the north end of the island to Point of Ayre.
 * Port Erin on the southwest coast has boat trips to the Calf of Man.