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Villa Marina

Open:	All Year: Daily, 9am - 5pm
Price:	Gardens Free Event Prices as Shown
Disabled:	Access
Location:	Douglas
Parking:	Ample, close by. Park along the Promenade.

History

The Villa Marina started as an Estate. The land was acquired by George Steuart, who shortly after the purchase died in 1806. Some of the land was sold off and on the rest a house was built by the late Steuart's son for his mother. Upon Mrs Steuart's death the house become a school and then a governor residence. The latter in 1861 indicated the starting move from the capital then in Castletown to Douglas, as accommodation in Castletown was unavailable for the new Lieutenant Governor Pigott.

In 1868 the Estate was bought by Henry Bloom Noble for £7,000. Upon his death in 1903 the Estate was offered for sale as a tourist site to Douglas Corporation in his will. In 1910, the Villa Marina Estate, then known as Marina Lodge, was purchased by Douglas Corporation from Noble's Trustees for £60,000. The Villa Marina Royal Hall and Gardens were opened in the the summer of 1913. Extensions to the Villa Marina were made in 1931. These included the Colonnade, Veranda, Public Conveniences and Arcade.

In 1973, the Reading Room was converted into a Conference Hall. A new bandstand was erected at the Villa Marina in 1996. In 2001, the Villa Marina underwent a complete rebuilding and refurbishment, which was completed early in 2004.

Location

The Villa Marina is located along Harris Promenade overlooking Douglas Bay.

By Vehicle:
Travel to Douglas and then along the sea front to Harris Promenade.

By Bus:
Douglas can be reached by most main bus routes: 1's, 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, and 6's, as well as many others minor routes. On the island most routes leads to/from Douglas.

By Railway:
By Electric Railway, take the trams heading to Douglas. Then walk along the Promenade to Harris Promenade and the Villa Marina.
(Note: It is a long walk, there are always buses and in the summer a regular service by the Horse Drawn Trams.)

By Steam Railway, take the train to Douglas and then walk along the Promenade to Harris Promenade and the Villa Marina.

Visiting the Villa Marina

The Gardens are open to the public all year round. In the summer outside concerts are held on the grounds. The Villa Marina main complex was rebuilt and opened to the public again in April 2004. A range of facilities are available in the new complex, as well as the Royal Hall for concerts. Check listings for events held there.

Events

Dates:	Sunday 11 May 2008
Description:	Lesley Garrett, semi classical concert at the Royal Hall, Villa Marina. Tickets from £35, concessions for senior citizens. Telephone 694555. Royal Hall, Villa Marina, Harris Promenade, Douglas.

Dates:	Tuesday 13 May 2008
Description:	Solid Silver 60s Show. The Solid Silver Sixties Show starring Gerry & The Pacemakers, Swinging Blue Jeans and Dave Berry. At the Royal Hall, Villa Marina at 8pm. All tickets £23.50, no concessions. Telephone 694555. Royal Hall, Villa Marina, Harris Promenade, Douglas.

Dates:	Thursday 15 May 2008
Description:	Mutya Buena (former Sugababe) in concert at the Villa Marina Royal Hall Douglas. All Tickets £25.00. Tel: 01624 694555. Or book on line. Villa Marina, Harris Promenade, Douglas.
More>>
Event information supplied by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure (01624 686766)

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Muyta Buena 8 April 2008
Dubbed the best British pop vocalist since Dusty Springfield by producer and song writer Brian Higgins, Mutya Buena will be performing at the Villa Marina on Thursday 15th May 2008. [More]

Indie Rock Band ATHLETE joins the entertainment line up for the TT Festival 7 April 2008
The Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Adrian Earnshaw, is delighted to announce that the Indie rock band ATHLETE will be performing at this year’s TT Festival on Thursday 5th June in the Villa Marina. [More]

Arcade Colonnade Refurbishment/Gaiety Filming 10 March 2008
The Department of Tourism and Leisure, following a request from the Film Commission Division of the Department of Trade and Industry, have agreed to a cessation of all noise intrusive works at the Villa Marina Arcade site until Saturday 15th March 2008, to allow uninterrupted filming of Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Robert Kaplow’s coming-of-age novel, ‘Me and Orson Welles’, starring Zac Efron. [More]

Isle of Man Festival of Pool 10 March 2008
The world of international 8-ball pool, supported by the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Heron and Brearley, returns to the Isle of Man in September and will take place at the Villa Marina. [More]

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Publications
Douglas Remembered Allan B. Gill Allan B Gill, Paperback, 08 December, 1999 ISBN: 0953765407 List Price: £6.99 Used Price: £30.55 Buy Now More Info