Isle of Man Guide

There are many recognisable signs that summer is coming - the clocks change, daffodils spring up and all the Manx National Heritage (MNH) sites open for the season!

MNH seasonal sites will re-open to the public for the 2010 summer season on 2nd April, the first day of the Easter holidays. Doors, windows and portcullises will be opened for the public to once again explore all 13 MNH sites. Everyone can stretch their legs by climbing the Laxey Wheel, take part in a heated debate at the Old House of Keys and enjoy the Island’s fascinating national heritage sites.

In preparation for the forthcoming opening, MNH has launched a series of new developments for summer 2010. The launch of the ACE card which has been supported by Conister Bank gives Island school children the opportunity to visit all the sites for free. This scheme means that it will be easy for all school children to have exciting days out on the Isle of Man this summer. Child paid entry has been extended to cover children aged up to age 18 (previously 16 years) and discounted admission has been introduced for students in full time education on presentation of a valid student card. Children under 5 already receive free entry.

A range of discounted admission passes are also available including the popular 5 site seasonal pass and MNH’s new 10 day explorer pass which provides unlimited entry to MNH sites for up to 10 days, with the greatest savings available on MNH’s online shop www.manxheritageshop.com. For those who would like to become involved in MNH’s work, there is also the opportunity to join MNH’s membership organisation, the Friends of Manx National Heritage.

Howard Parkin, Public Services Manager for MNH said: “2010 is going to be an exciting season. There is a packed events programme which includes activities for children. These include an Easter Egg hunt at Peel Castle every day of the Easter Holidays, the Great Bug Hunt at Laxey Wheel, rock pooling at Niarbyl and activities for all ages such as the first chance for the public to experience guided tours of MNH’s large object store which is full of fascinating artefacts relating to the Island’s past”.

Make your summer unforgettable with visits to the Manx National Heritage sites including The Great Laxey Wheel and Mines Trail, The Grove Museum in Ramsey, The Old House of Keys, The Nautical Museum, The Old Grammar School and Castle Rushen in Castletown, Peel Castle, The National Folk Museum at Cregneash and Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla, all open daily from 10am to 5pm until 31st October 2010. The Manx Museum, House of Manannan, Niarbyl Café and The Sound Restaurant are open all year round.

A fantastic new addition to the MNH sites for 2010 is the new Abbey Restaurant. Opening later this summer, the Abbey Restaurant will be the perfect setting to linger over lunches and spend the long summer evenings in the peaceful surroundings of Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla.

Further details on the work of Manx National Heritage and forthcoming events at the MNH sites are detailed on www.storyofmann.com or in the MNH What’s on leaflet which can be downloaded from the website or picked up at the sites.

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