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| Open: |
Mar 21st - October 2008: Daily, 10am - 5pm (last entry 4:15pm)
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| Price: |
PRICES FOR 2008
Adult: £3.30
Child (aged 5-15): £1.70
Family (2 adults, 2 children):£8.30
Groups (adult, pre-booked): £2.60
Groups (adult, un-booked): £2.80 |
| Disabled: |
Limited Access
Walks and stairs up wheel not suitable |
| Location: |
Laxey |
| Parking: |
Ample, close by in Car Park |
History
Set upon the hills near the village Laxey rests a giant. Lady Isabella
named after former Lieutenant Governor Hope's wife is also know as the
Laxey Wheel. Built
in 1854 by John Casement, a Laxey native and talented engineer. The
Laxey Wheel remains the largest working waterwheel in the world. The wheel
has a diameter of 72ft and a circumference of 227ft. It was used to pump
250 gallons of water a minute from the Laxey mines some 200 yards away and
1500ft below ground. The mines employed over 600 miners at its peak
producing lead, copper, silver and
zinc till the mines closed in 1929. In 1965 the government bought the wheel
and site. Restoration occurred and in 1989 it was put under the control of
Manx National Heritage. Tourists had long come to see the wheel, even when
the mines were still in use and they continue to come to this day.
Location
On the east coast of the Island in the village of Laxey.
From upper Laxey looking to the hills the giant red and white water wheel
can be seen in the distance.
By Vehicle:
Located near the village of Laxey where the B11 crosses the A2 (road between
Douglas and Ramsey). Near the Electric Railway Station take Mines Road in
the direction of the wheel and turn off up a small road to the car park.
By Bus:
Reachable by bus routes no. 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C from Ramsey and Douglas.
Take the stop in the town centre near the Electric Railway Station, then
walk along the Electric Railway lines in the direction indicated by signs.
The access road and paths are just off Mines Road.
By Railway:
Take the Steam Railway to Douglas. The Electric Railway to Laxey Station.
Walk along the Electric Railway Lines in the direction indicated by signs.
The access road and paths are just off Mines Road.
The Site
Three rambling trails with information signs on sites.
Laxey Wheel from bottom to top.
Picnic areas with benches and tables.
Laxey Mines about 40 feet in.
Many ruins of the wheel's past mining history.
Visiting the Laxey Wheel and Mines
Visitors to the Laxey Wheel have a few options. There are buses to Laxey
from many places about the island. There is also the option of the
Electric Railway, which runs from Douglas and Ramsey. It is a short walk from
where the buses drop off in the village of Laxey or where the tram stops.
There are signs which will lead the way down a road to a path which continues
on up to the wheel through vegetation. This walk is not hard, though might
not be for everyone. There is the car option, which means you can drive right
up to the wheel and park. Parking is free.
The Laxey Wheel is best seen on a sunny or clear day, as there is little to
no shelter from rain. The site is based mainly on walking about and reading
signs placed in spots of interest. The site is well covered with facts, but
unless you are making a day out in the sunshine with long walks and picnicking
most of the main site can be seen in a couple of hours.
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| LAXEY ATTRACTIONS |
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Great Laxey Wheel & Mines |
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Great Laxey Wheel & Mines |
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