Following a bumper half term, Manx National Heritage, the national heritage agency for the Isle of Man, is delighted to announce the opening of Castle Rushen and The Great Laxey Wheel for the 2017 season.
Both attractions will open weekends throughout March and daily from Saturday 1 April. Edmund Southworth, Director of Manx National Heritage said:
“Working together with our partners across the Island including DED, hoteliers and travel operators, we have been able to extend the traditional tourism season. This meets the needs of both locals and visitors. Our first major group visitors arrive next week and advance bookings are looking positive throughout the season, including 30 Cruise ship visits and over 800 advance bookings from an operator returning to the Isle of Man market after some years.
An increasing number of families are also discovering and rediscovering the island’s heritage, with our new trail at the Manx Museum and House of Manannan particularly popular amongst this audience. New initiatives such as the opening of the Costa Coffee facility opposite the entrance to Castle Rushen are proving popular and make a vital contribution to the economy through increasing spend and dwell time in our town, villages and attractions”.
March and April are now important and busy periods. The weekend openings at Castle Rushen and the Great Laxey Wheel will be complemented by our partners at IOM Railways who run the first services of the Manx Electric Railway on 9 March and Isle of Man Steam Railway on 18 March. All Manx National Heritage sites will open on 1 April, Snaefell Mountain Railway will commence operation on 7 April and the world-famous Douglas Bay Horse Tramway opens on 8th April.
Admission to Laxey Wheel and Castle Rushen is free to all local children on presentation of an ACE card. Entry costs ?8 for adults or ?20 for a Season Pass providing entry to all Manx National Heritage attractions.
Edmund continued:
“We encourage all local families to purchase a Season Pass or become a member of our Friends, and our team look forward to welcoming you on your next visit”.
For further information, please visit www.manxnationalheritage.im.
Photo - Laxey Wheel opens weekends in March from Saturday 4 March 2017.
