We are looking for a place to stay on the mainland or on the island (I’m sure staying on the mainland would be a lot cheaper!) during the race days in June 2026. We will have approximately 25 people, including 3 young children (ages 5, 3 and 1)
Where would you recommend? Thank you!
Don't even think about staying on the mainland.
That will add at least five hours to each day by the time you add on airport time twice and transit time to and from whichever mainland airport (LIV or MAN), and Ronaldsway airport on the Isle of Man. The flights are also on relatively small aircraft and will be chock full. The flight costs will totally wipe out any hotel savings, and then some.
The ferries from Heysham and Liverpool take three to four hours in each direction, so that is a non starter.
I wouldn't do that alone, with two dozen people including children that would be a total nightmare.
Both in terms of experiencing the TT and hotels able to take that size of group Douglas (the island capital) is your place to be. I've only stayed in B and B's on the island since 1977 so can't help with large hotel recs.
Just to get around you will want to rent 2 x 16 seat minibuses (vans to you)- again doing that as soon as bookings open as there is limited availability- the island is really busy.
Thank you! Any other ideas of airbnbs/vrbos to accommodate our large group? Or, simply 2 or 3 places in somewhat close proximity and our group would break up for sure!
This is an enormously popular event and people book over a year in advance.
Out of idle curiosity, I had a look on booking.com.
There are four glamping/tent places available only. Nothing else.
A month later, all the usual hotels, B&Bs etc have vacancies.
As the previous poster said, travelling to and from the mainland is a non starter, too.
My friends take their own motorhomes and tents.
I fear you may be disappointed.
We stayed on Man during a bicycle race (won by the Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish), not during the motorcycle events, and at an Airbnb on the southern coast of the island, south of Douglas. There were just two of us, and I’d imagine you’ll need several properties if you go that route. Will you be renting cars, to reconnect and/or stay together?
When I say I've used B and B's I mean conventional Bed and Breakfasts. Air B and B/VRBO is a totally alien concept to me.
I've just been looking too and there is this Glamping business which will open for booking for next year as soon as ferry tickets are released in mid May- https://www.intentsgp.com/glamping-isle-of-man-tt/
Most people go over by ferry with as many extra sailings as the Steam Packet can manage to run.
I've also been looking at Booking.com. I'm not sure if places haven't opened their booking yet or are already full. I also looked for September this year and there are quite a few nice places in Douglas (apartment buildings or hotels) that could take this group size (and some I wouldn't recommend) but can't find them for next 30 May to 6 June. Looking on booking.com I can also see a glamping place in Castletown- that would also suit.
So all I can personally suggest is you have a look on AirBB/VRBO platforms in the next month or so. Then run anything you find past us. Get that booked, then your flights (ideally to MAN) then be ready to hit the ferry bookings in mid May. Those will open before flight bookings. You may have to book the ferry before the international flights which I think open 330 days before travel.
Getting from MAN to Liverpool port is dead simple by train- although a group transfer would probably be best and cheapest.
You could also approach Steam Packet Holidays (the island specialists). They may be able to put something together for you.
Will everyone in the group be interested in the races? Thinking the children might be bored but what do I know? Would the group consider dividing up for a few days and let the ones with a high level of interest go stay on Isle of Man and let the others maybe go to the Lake District or somewhere of interest for the little ones?
(NOTE: This entry was in response to a posting that has subsequently been deleted.) It’s always been Isle of Man as far as I’ve known it, the spot of land between Northern Ireland and northern England. Maps concur, as does britannica.com.
But the mighty Wikipedia says it’s Man or Mann, so either works.
It may be called the Isle of Man, but has always been the Kingdom of Mann (going back to and prior to when the island was part of the Kingdom of Northumbria, then under Norse Rule and then Scottish Rule.
King Charles is Lord of Mann. In the Manx language the country is Mannin or Ellan Vannin.
So pick and choose one or two n's. Neither is right or wrong.
The lighthouses are still maintained by the Scottish Northern Lighthouse Board, not the English Trinity House.
kathrynlynnseifert, based on my personal experience there, I still suggest that Airbnb properties could provide a lodging solution for your large group, especially during the Isle of Man(n)’s most crowded time.
Will everyone in the group be interested in the races? Thinking the children might be bored but what do I know? Would the group consider dividing up for a few days and let the ones with a high level of interest go stay on Isle of Man and let the others maybe go to the Lake District or somewhere of interest for the little ones?
That is not necessary. It is a big island and the races only affect a fairly small part of it. There are plenty of family activities elsewhere on the island with good public transport to get around.
I've been over during TT week, I found it wasn't only for petrol heads- there were family activities specifically set up.
On the vexed question of the name I live in a town where I can see the island on a good day, and we still have a sizeable Manx diaspora. Locally we often call it 'The Island' or even just Man or Mann. We all know what we Mean, and it is accepted abbreviation.
That is not necessary. It is a big island and the races only affect a fairly small part of it. There are plenty of family activities elsewhere on the island with good public transport to get around.
I’m sure that Pam realizes that, and I’m also sure that she posted her idea as a remedy for the OP to not have to be responsible for housing 25 people in one place. It’s not a question of activities but of having a place to stay. I think it’s a good idea that they potentially look for someplace else for half the crowd to go to. It would definitely make things easier.
..meanwhile I have spent some time yesterday and today looking at this conundrum. Everywhere (hotel wise) I look at has not opened their own websites (as opposed to using booking.com) beyond 365 days out. I've tried Douglas, Ramsey, Peel, Port Erin and Port St Mary, not left many stones unturned.
But I have found this website- https://www.islandescapes.im/
As a for instance they have three properties each taking 8 people in Port Erin which all seem to be available for that week. Port Erin is a little but well equipped harbour town/seaside resort at the South west corner of the island (and the steam train terminus). I've not looked closely at the locations but honestly the 3 properties simply can't be that far apart from each other.
It is a town I know fairly well as my late uncle lived there.
Douglas is about 30 minutes drive away, none of which drive is anywhere near the TT course until the outskirts of Douglas. That could be quite a good base for you. There is also a good bus service, and the steam train normally runs TT extra commuter trains into Douglas.
It may at least be worth contacting the company and seeing what they can do for you. Even if you had to split up between Port Erin and Port St Mary it wouldn't matter as the two towns are next door to each other.
Peel would be another really good base if they could find enough rooms for you BUT part of the TT route is on your way to Douglas.
Thank you Mardee, that is exactly what I was thinking! IF finding lodging for 25 or so is going to be an issue then why would you take up scarce lodging for a big event with folks who might have more fun elsewhere?
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kathryn, sorry this thread got a little off course! Did you have any questions about the relevant part of this? Or need clarification?
I'd hoped Nigel might have something to offer when he's back, as he's someone with an affinity for bikes and racing.
