Isle of Man
Wildlife of land and sea on Manannin's Isle

Monday 18 - Friday 22 June 2012 (5 days)

Join Liz Charter on her home patch, the Isle of Man, for an exploration of the surprisingly diverse island landscapes and habitats, the haunts of rare birds and floral displays. We also expect to see some spectacular marine life.



The Isle of Man is thirty miles long and ten miles wide. The central uplands of the island are covered in beautiful moorland and dissected by wooded valleys. Around the edges of the hills are deep glens of ferns and waterfalls. It has an uninhabited heathy islet, the Calf of Man, separated by the Calf Sound from the main island. The northern plain is quite different with long shingle beaches, coastal heath and sand dunes - known as the Ayres. Ayre is the Norse word for a sandy spit, and is a clue to the link with the other Norse islands, Orkney and Shetland, with which it shares some of its ancient culture. The stone slab crosses are the most beautiful and intricate of their kind. As a Crown Dependency the island is self-governing and its parliament meets on Tynwald hill each year to read the new legislation and hear petitions.

The Island has a traditional farming landscape with small fields surrounded by Manx sod hedges and the less intensive agriculture is partly responsible for supporting the good population of Chough, a bird not seen in many other places in the British Isles.

The marine life has relatively recently hit the headlines as the island's waters are internationally important for Basking Sharks and, given the right sea conditions, it is also possible to see seals, Risso's Dolphins and other cetaceans quite easily.

This will be our third tour to the island, and it promises a varied itinerary with coastal walks, visits to glens and a trip out in a boat (weather permitting), good bird-watching opportunities as well as displays of summer wildflowers.

Liz Charter, who also leads our tours to Crete, is a Manx resident and has designed this tour for us.

Outline Itinerary
 Clients may be met either at Douglas, where the ferry from Liverpool or Heysham (Lancaster) arrives, or at Ronaldsway Airport by arrangement on Day 1.

During the holiday, if sea conditions permit, we will take a boat trip to see basking sharks, other marine wildlife and viewing the spectacular cliff scenery. If the sea isn't suitable some marine wildlife attractions are visible from land.

The holiday concludes after lunch on Day 5, when clients will be offered transport either to the sea Terminal in Douglas or Ronaldsway airport.

Price: £ 765

Single supp.: £ 95

Deposit: £ 200 per person

The price is per person and includes 4 nights' accommodation, meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 5, transport within Isle of Man, admissions, and the services of the leader.

The price excludes travel to and from the island, drinks and other personal expenses. The boat trip (weather permitting) will be charged during the tour and is expected to cost £25-35 depending on numbers.

Please do not book your flights to and from Isle of Man until you have had confirmation from us that the trip is going ahead as planned, and that your proposed times are suitable.

Arrangements can be made for you to extend your stay.

The Isle of Man map


Accommodation
 We stay in beautifully converted quarters on a working farm where as much as possible of the produce is locally grown. All bedrooms are en suite. The farm is set under Peel Hill which is home to Choughs and seabirds.

Walking
 Expect a moderate amount of walking during the week, almost all on the level. Dhoon Glen has the steepest walking which we will take at a gentle pace. You will need to be able to get in and out of a small boat.

Leader: Liz Charter

Numbers: Max. 8 clients

Click here for a full, printable itinerary

What you say:

'A very good, comfortable base... Liz Charter gave us a wonderful introduction to the Isle of Man - such a diverse range of habitats - and the wildlife! Altogether an excellent few days' G.K., Yorks.