Natural beauty and adventure on the Isle of Man

Setting off on foot
I love walking and had been tempted by the chance to explore a totally new place. Situated in the middle of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is just 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, offering many spectacular walks. There are two walking festivals each year, in June and October, where you can join an organised walk with a local guide.

Be warned though, some of the climbs are steep, but our guides didn't mind waiting while I huffed and puffed my way slowly up, and even offered a helping hand up the really steep bits! The wealth of local knowledge these guys had was phenomenal, and they were happy to share it with us, pointing out the different bird songs as well as describing significant landmarks.

If you prefer to set out on your own, there are long-distance trails to follow including the 95-mile coastal path which will take you right around the island, and the 26-mile Millennium Way, which goes from Ramsey in the north to Castletown in the south, right down the middle of the island. There are also plenty of shorter, circular walks suitable for all levels of fitness.

You're never far from the sea on the island, and the views make all the effort worthwhile. In the spring and summer, wild flowers decorate the landscape, and gorse, with its distinctive yellow flowers, blooms everywhere. In early summer, orchids also bloom, carpeting whole fields with their delicate flowers.

Local traditions
Many local traditions are still observed. Tynwald Day, the island's national day, marks the opening of the Manx Parliament or Tynwald. Every year, all the new laws are read out in an open air sitting on Tynwald Hill, near St John's. It is the oldest parliament in continuous existence, dating back to when the Vikings occupied the land. When the ceremonies are over, visitors can enjoy the Tynwald Fair.

A living museum at Cregneash is managed by Manx National Heritage and works to preserve traditional ways of life. Visitors can watch horses ploughing fields, and wander around the crofters' cottages that have been restored and thatched using age-old methods. Many people believe in fairies and when crossing the Fairy Bridge on the road between Castletown and Douglas, you're invited to greet them with a polite 'hello'. Failure to do so is reputed to lead to disaster and bad luck.

The Isle of Man really does have plenty to offer. Petrol-heads will enjoy driving around the island as there are no speed restrictions except in the towns. The famous TT races take place in the early summer, when streets are closed to normal traffic and hundreds of motorbikes race along the roads.

If you prefer more sedate forms of transport, horse-drawn trams and steam trains run throughout the summer months, and pleasure cruisers take trippers out to explore the coastline.

Facts about the Isle of Man

• The Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown dependency. It does not belong to the United Kingdom or Great Britain, but is one of the British Isles and is in the Commonwealth.
• It has its own parliament, called Tynwald, and is responsible for its own laws. However, Britain is responsible for its international affairs and defence.
• The island has its own language, Manx Gaelic, which is currently enjoying a revival.

The five day Summer Walking Festival is from 24 - 29 June 2007. The three-day Autumn Walking Festival is from 11 - 14 October 2007. For more information about the walking festivals visit www.isleofmanwalking.com

Adventurous Experiences run sea kayaking courses for beginners and take more advanced kayakers out on trips. They also run climbing and abseiling trips.

The Venture Centre organises archery classes for beginners. They also organise residential multi-activity courses for families involving archery, air rifling, assault course, abseiling, kayaking, sailing, gorge walking, orienteering, raft building, power boating and much more.

British Airways offer four daily flights to the Isle of Man. For more information visit www.britishairways.com

You can also reach the Isle of Man by ferry from Heysham, Liverpool, Belfast or Dublin. For more information visit www.steam-packet.com