Douglas, since 1869, has been the Island's capital and the main tourist and commercial centre. Here, too, are the Legislative Buildings of its ancient parliament Tynwald whose origins go back over a thousand years when the Island became a Viking kingdom.

The magnificent sweep of Douglas Bay, against the background of green hills, has a charm hard to equal anywhere. Douglas was a pioneer in illuminations and at night presents a scene of spectacular beauty, never to be forgotten.

As the tourist industry developed rapidly in the latter half of the nineteenth century rows of hotels and boarding houses sprang up along the sea front. The sea was restrained by construction of promenades which provide a one and a half mile stroll along the front to 'take the air' and see the sights. One of these is the Tower of Refuge which has stood as a place of safety since 1832. It was built at the instigation of Douglas resident Sir William Hilary, founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Douglas owes much of its development to the fact that it provides sheltered harbourage from the prevailing winds with Douglas Head and Onchan Head at either end of the two mile sweep of the Bay. The harbour piers are named after Queen Victoria and King Edward VIII, the latter pier being one of the few public monuments to commemorate the brief reign of this monarch. The piers have welcomed millions of tourists to the Isle of Man from many parts of the world but mainly from the industrial areas of northern England and Scotland. They came in the safety of The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company under whose flag more than sixty passenger ships have sailed reflecting the latest in ship design and providing the experience of voyaging in mini-liners. Today, the harbour is protected by a new Breakwater which, in turn, shields the old one which has stood up to easterly gales for over a century. The piers are equipped with link-spans to give easy access for the thousands of cars that arrive annualy and for the container lorries that provide the Island with vital supplies.

Along the entire sea front run the Douglas Horse Trams which are now the only ones still in existence. They began life in 1872 and they remind us of a more leisurely way of life. Douglas has a modern shopping centre in Strand Street which leads on to the sea front with its hotels and centres of entertainment such as The Gaiety Theatre, now cherished as a gem of Edwardian splendour. Adjacent are the grounds of the Villa Marina with its Royal Hall. A major scheme of refurbishment will ensure that the Villa Marina remains the Island's most important venue for a wide variety of events including entertainments and cultural activities. At the northern end of the Promenades is the Summerland Leisure Complex, and Cinema. Modern developments will see a gradual change as the Victorian hotels of the last century are either extensively modernised or replaced by new hotels providing the best of accommodation for the tourists of the next century. Behind the front can be found other places of interest such as the Manx Museum, the centre of Manx National Heritage and a fascinating treasure-house of the Island's unique history. The new sports facilities available at the National Sports Centre at King George's Park rank high in quality for the enthusiast.

Noble's Park provides many sporting activities and leads to the fine new Grandstand from which the world famous TT Motorcycle Races are controlled. Of the Island's population of over 80,058, about 26,218  (census 2006) live within the confines of the town of Douglas while the neighbouring village of Onchan has rapidly grown in recent years and now has a population of over 9,172, most of whom find employment in the capital. Onchan provides a splendid setting for Government House while its church of St. Peter stands on the site of the former church in which William Bligh married Elizabeth Beham in 1781, some years before Bligh set out on the historic voyage in HMS Bounty. The Onchan Park and Stadium provide a wide range of amenities for today's visitors.

Acknowledgement: "Isle of Man Scenic Guide" by The Manx Experience

You can view a clickable map of Douglas at MultiMap.com