Family fun in the Isle of Man

Fun filled adventures by ferry

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A holiday island that has everything for families of all ages – high-octane activities, atmospheric heritage sites and museums, a buzzing arts scene, breathtaking scenery, amazing wildlife, beautiful beaches, and countless play areas and parks.
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A magical destination for all the family

Imagine kayaking in the shadow of a mighty medieval castle, while gigantic basking sharks sail beneath you, or perhaps staying dry with a visit to a wildlife sanctuary to see everything from penguins to red pandas, before relaxing with a show at a magnificent Victorian theatre.

Imagine the rush of soaring through the air at Ape Mann or the thrill of launching yourself (safely!) off a cliff, before winding down with a relaxing ride on a steam train or going in search of wallabies in the wild at dusk.

Whatever you are looking for from your family break in the Isle of Man, the chances are you will find it. It’s not so much a question of what there is to do; the question is, are you staying for long enough to squeeze it all in?

Action Stations

Sea Kayaking

The Island's waters are teeming with wildlife. Get up close with a great family adventure sea kayaking or Stand up paddleboarding. There's a chance to see dolphins, seals and basking sharks

All activities are done under the guidance and supervision of fully-trained instructors. Allow 2-3 hours for each activity. Minimum age – 10+ for coasteering and gorge walking, 12+ for kayaking.

South Barrule Forest

Covering 128 hectares, South Barrule Forest has become one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the Island.

It is home to Ape Mann Adventure Park and Laser Mayhem, both offering hours of fun for the young and not-so-young alike.

Ape Mann challenges you to find your way through rope courses, crawl through sky barrels, and shoot down long zip-lines. It’s also home to one of the highest sets of monkey tree climbing hardware to be found anywhere in the UK – a real treat for anyone with a head for heights! The park’s rope courses have been built using a continuous lifeline system, so there is no need for clipping on and off as you go around the activities.

Just across the road is Laser Mayhem, for which you can get dressed up in full military combat overalls and camouflaged face-paint and, well, cause mayhem with your laser guns! There are different missions to choose from, unlimited ammo, and a choice of laser gun. For those members of the family who don’t fancy climbing around like an ape or hunting each other with lasers, South Barrule Forest has many beautiful trails to walk or cycle, and a skills area to test your riding techniques. And once all the family have finished their activities, there is the cosy Coffee Cottage on hand offering hot food and drinks.

The Venture Centre

The Venture Centre in Maughold, just outside Ramsey in the north of the Island, has a wide range of activities on offer, including abseiling, archery, paddle sports, raft building, assault course, coasteering, and gorge walking. Founded in 1981, the centre offers special family day packages – half-day and full-day (with lunch) options – and you can create your own menu of activities, tailoring the day to suit your family. You can also stay overnight on site, with rooms sleeping between one and eight people - usually on a bed and breakfast basis, but self-catering and full board options are available.

Minimum age – varies depending on activity.

The Venture Centre >