Discussion
Hi
I am looking at going to IOM TT next yr and realise I need to get my finger out , I am fairly flexible with dates .But currently thinking something like going on 31st of March or 1st of June and come back on the Tue 5th or Wed 6th , it seems I should be able to get the ferry ok on foot or get there by plane ok .
What I'm struggling with is accommodation , how realistically would it be if I took a tent to try to see if someone would lend me there garden or even crash on someones floor , or actually find a camp site once I'm there ?.
Or for others that know the score could you possibly point me in any direction please of the best thing to do , that wont cost me absolute fortunes .
I have been wanting to go for yrs but it never happens , so Im really keen to make 2023 the yr .
Thank you for any advice
I am looking at going to IOM TT next yr and realise I need to get my finger out , I am fairly flexible with dates .But currently thinking something like going on 31st of March or 1st of June and come back on the Tue 5th or Wed 6th , it seems I should be able to get the ferry ok on foot or get there by plane ok .
What I'm struggling with is accommodation , how realistically would it be if I took a tent to try to see if someone would lend me there garden or even crash on someones floor , or actually find a camp site once I'm there ?.
Or for others that know the score could you possibly point me in any direction please of the best thing to do , that wont cost me absolute fortunes .
I have been wanting to go for yrs but it never happens , so Im really keen to make 2023 the yr .
Thank you for any advice
Following...
I'm the same, have been wanting to go for years, but it just seems like such a massive arse ache trying to arrange transport over there, and then digs at a reasonable price, that I've never got round to it. For me camping would be an absolute last resort (especially if its for more than two or three nights)
I'm the same, have been wanting to go for years, but it just seems like such a massive arse ache trying to arrange transport over there, and then digs at a reasonable price, that I've never got round to it. For me camping would be an absolute last resort (especially if its for more than two or three nights)
Going by foot, you need to be thinking Douglas for camping, just makes it easier to get around if you're based in Douglas. So if you do a search you'll find plenty of camping, some of these do have pre-erected tents but then you might need to book them for a minimum period. There's a good few sites for you to pick from, Quarter Bridge rugby club, Blackberry Lane is just up from the start/finish, Glenlough is on the course just before Ballagery, there used to be camping down near Hillberry inside the course at Glen Dhoo, I've used the Ballacottier farm outside the course at Hillberry. I'm sure there is another site run by Metzler somewhere near Douglas. Camping with your own tent is the cheapest and easiest way. I've done B&B and Homestay, but getting a response from a Homestay person was impossible and expensive. This has improved in recent years but I've not bothered looking.
We camp at Kirk Michael at Glen Wylin site, but I've also used Cronk Ashen, Ballacottier and the TT camping next to the pits.
We camp at Kirk Michael at Glen Wylin site, but I've also used Cronk Ashen, Ballacottier and the TT camping next to the pits.
We have stayed at Ballafletcher Sports Ground three times now and the facilities there are very good as (temporary) campsites go, seeing as you have use of the football/rugby club's changing and shower facilities for anything bathroom related, as well as the rugby club's bar. The football pitches you camp on are very well draining and flat, so excellent for tenting on. The club building also doubles as an emergency storm shelter, as we found out first hand one year...
From there it's about a 10 min walk down to braddan bridge, or 20 mins to union mills. The top of Douglas for bray hill is probably a 20 min walk away. You're on the inside of the TT circuit there which gives you the chance to travel around the islands interior while the roads are closed if you know where you're going, plus you're right next to the access road that will allow you to cross from inside to outside/vice versa while roads closed, though you'll need a bike or car to do it as no pedestrians or cyclists allowed.
From there it's about a 10 min walk down to braddan bridge, or 20 mins to union mills. The top of Douglas for bray hill is probably a 20 min walk away. You're on the inside of the TT circuit there which gives you the chance to travel around the islands interior while the roads are closed if you know where you're going, plus you're right next to the access road that will allow you to cross from inside to outside/vice versa while roads closed, though you'll need a bike or car to do it as no pedestrians or cyclists allowed.
Consider a homestay in or around Douglas, Last time we stayed with a lovely lady in Tremode where you can walk to Bray Hill, Quarter Bridge and the Grandstand plus Hillberry all in around 20 mins. Far better than a tent if the Manx weather does it's usual thing. Camping can be a miserable existence and spoil the experience if the weather doesn't play ball (Which is highly likely at some stage)
http://homestay.miquando.com/
http://homestay.miquando.com/
I always found the accommodation thing a struggle in years gone by, until I found a home stay after a few years of visiting the Island.
For the first year I camped at Glen Lough and found it an excellent location. I invested in some really decent camping gear including a great inflatable mattress. We didn’t bother with cooking equipment and just ate out or bought supermarket food.
Give camping a go. You might be surprised.
For the first year I camped at Glen Lough and found it an excellent location. I invested in some really decent camping gear including a great inflatable mattress. We didn’t bother with cooking equipment and just ate out or bought supermarket food.
Give camping a go. You might be surprised.
I went in 2015 I think it was, on bike via Ferry.
Stayed in a nice little 2-bed apartment in a square just off the main road through Douglas, which I had to book 11 months in advance, and that was £465.
Ferry was just over £400 return Heysham to Douglas, overnight. IIRC you had to pay a deposit to secure a slot then pay the balance later, I don't know if that's still the case.
This was practice week mind, race week might be a bit more expensive still. Fuel I don't recall being too expensive compared to mainland, but obviously a lot's changed in 8 years. At least bikes are relatively frugal
Overall though, amazing experience and one definitely worth doing at least once, tick it off the bucket list.
Me and my dad are doing Goodwood FoS next year, another bucket list item. LeMans 24hr still on the list after that.
Stayed in a nice little 2-bed apartment in a square just off the main road through Douglas, which I had to book 11 months in advance, and that was £465.
Ferry was just over £400 return Heysham to Douglas, overnight. IIRC you had to pay a deposit to secure a slot then pay the balance later, I don't know if that's still the case.
This was practice week mind, race week might be a bit more expensive still. Fuel I don't recall being too expensive compared to mainland, but obviously a lot's changed in 8 years. At least bikes are relatively frugal
Overall though, amazing experience and one definitely worth doing at least once, tick it off the bucket list.
Me and my dad are doing Goodwood FoS next year, another bucket list item. LeMans 24hr still on the list after that.
Thanks for all the replies so far , really helpful and lots of links info to look up .Plus great info of places to watch
So I booked flights today going to land on Wed 26th in the evening and flying back on Tue 6th . Flights worked out lots cheeper for me than the ferry
Super excited already
So I booked flights today going to land on Wed 26th in the evening and flying back on Tue 6th . Flights worked out lots cheeper for me than the ferry
Super excited already
Petrolhead67 said:
Please dont take the piss 
I just realised ive booked wrong dates FFS
Canceled and re booked ,now going 8th June coming back on the 13 th
What a numpty good job I didnt book accommodation yet
8th June - 13th give you 2 race days and that is it? If you’d gone earlier you would have seen a lot more action. I just realised ive booked wrong dates FFS
Canceled and re booked ,now going 8th June coming back on the 13 th
What a numpty good job I didnt book accommodation yet
I’m going early 31st May - late return 4th June which will give us 3 practice days and 2 race days
Edited by patchb on Tuesday 29th November 21:10
ccr32 said:
We have stayed at Ballafletcher Sports Ground three times now and the facilities there are very good as (temporary) campsites go, seeing as you have use of the football/rugby club's changing and shower facilities for anything bathroom related, as well as the rugby club's bar. The football pitches you camp on are very well draining and flat, so excellent for tenting on. The club building also doubles as an emergency storm shelter, as we found out first hand one year...
From there it's about a 10 min walk down to braddan bridge, or 20 mins to union mills. The top of Douglas for bray hill is probably a 20 min walk away. You're on the inside of the TT circuit there which gives you the chance to travel around the islands interior while the roads are closed if you know where you're going, plus you're right next to the access road that will allow you to cross from inside to outside/vice versa while roads closed, though you'll need a bike or car to do it as no pedestrians or cyclists allowed.
Second Ballafletcher, and if you book a package through Duke, you get a travel swipe card for the buses and trains.From there it's about a 10 min walk down to braddan bridge, or 20 mins to union mills. The top of Douglas for bray hill is probably a 20 min walk away. You're on the inside of the TT circuit there which gives you the chance to travel around the islands interior while the roads are closed if you know where you're going, plus you're right next to the access road that will allow you to cross from inside to outside/vice versa while roads closed, though you'll need a bike or car to do it as no pedestrians or cyclists allowed.
Downside is if you miss these it's a steep 50 minute walk up from town via the valley then cut through the industrial estate back to your tepee.
Oh, and being tents, sometimes neighbours can be carousing into the small hours - solution, get drunk and come back later!
With the Advice of Patch I have changed my flight , my flight is now going out on Monday the 5th still coming home on the Tue 13th due to costs of flights .Plus im hoping to see other bits of IOM on the Mon Tue ?
So starting to look for accommodation now , I really dont want to camp , I have done lots of camping over the yrs and I really struggle after a couple of nights .
So if anyone on here or anyone you know going that looking at booking somewhere but needs a extra person , a pm or message would be really appreciated , I don't care if it just the floor so long as it warm and dry and ideally in Douglas or walking distance to .
Cheers
So starting to look for accommodation now , I really dont want to camp , I have done lots of camping over the yrs and I really struggle after a couple of nights .
So if anyone on here or anyone you know going that looking at booking somewhere but needs a extra person , a pm or message would be really appreciated , I don't care if it just the floor so long as it warm and dry and ideally in Douglas or walking distance to .
Cheers
Hi, next year will be my 22nd TT. We're booked and generally booked 1 year in advance.
The IOM Government subcontract a homestay scheme, due to lack of B&B's etc - http://homestay.miquando.com/
You might get lucky. I personally don't like the website, find it most frustrating.
There are some proper doss houses appear closer to the TT outwith the homestay site and I've heard some horror stories over the years. (9 men in a 3 bed apartment with no hot running water or £200 a night bed only in some dump in the back streets of Douglas)
Best bet is to try the TT accommodation facebook page, I had better luck that way previously.
The Island is a great place and when TT is on, its nothing short of paradise, in my opinion.
The effort taken to actually get to the island is far outweighed by the experience.
If you have any questions, happy to answer here or via PM
The IOM Government subcontract a homestay scheme, due to lack of B&B's etc - http://homestay.miquando.com/
You might get lucky. I personally don't like the website, find it most frustrating.
There are some proper doss houses appear closer to the TT outwith the homestay site and I've heard some horror stories over the years. (9 men in a 3 bed apartment with no hot running water or £200 a night bed only in some dump in the back streets of Douglas)
Best bet is to try the TT accommodation facebook page, I had better luck that way previously.
The Island is a great place and when TT is on, its nothing short of paradise, in my opinion.
The effort taken to actually get to the island is far outweighed by the experience.
If you have any questions, happy to answer here or via PM
Thanks EvilK
I have gone on that homestay web site and sent some e mails waiting for replies
Thanks for the FB heads up , I have requested to join that and hoping that can be my ticket to finding something , I just want basic but like you say am sure there are some real horror stuff out there .
As for cost to get there , the ferry crossing just by foot was working out more than flying and I live near the airport so took that choice , I have actually now got two flights booked to go there one on the Monday and one on the Thursday still . Just incase I cant find any accommodation or floor !!! .
I am excited but also quite anxious in other ways , but already I feel happier getting feedback from all of you .
Thank you
I have gone on that homestay web site and sent some e mails waiting for replies
Thanks for the FB heads up , I have requested to join that and hoping that can be my ticket to finding something , I just want basic but like you say am sure there are some real horror stuff out there .
As for cost to get there , the ferry crossing just by foot was working out more than flying and I live near the airport so took that choice , I have actually now got two flights booked to go there one on the Monday and one on the Thursday still . Just incase I cant find any accommodation or floor !!! .
I am excited but also quite anxious in other ways , but already I feel happier getting feedback from all of you .
Thank you
I wouldn't be too concerned at the moment. Accommodation generally gets advertised in the new year.
Prices vary from £25 upwards, just be careful where you are looking at as you might get a bed in Jurby but transport could end up being a problem.
Our original homestay died pre-covid and we eventually found new digs not too far away, last year, and on a bus route too. The people couldn't be friendlier.
If you like bikes, your in for a treat. Even away from the TT circuit, its motorcycle overload.
Prices vary from £25 upwards, just be careful where you are looking at as you might get a bed in Jurby but transport could end up being a problem.
Our original homestay died pre-covid and we eventually found new digs not too far away, last year, and on a bus route too. The people couldn't be friendlier.
If you like bikes, your in for a treat. Even away from the TT circuit, its motorcycle overload.
evilkinevil1981 said:
I wouldn't be too concerned at the moment. Accommodation generally gets advertised in the new year.
Prices vary from £25 upwards, just be careful where you are looking at as you might get a bed in Jurby but transport could end up being a problem.
Our original homestay died pre-covid and we eventually found new digs not too far away, last year, and on a bus route too. The people couldn't be friendlier.
If you like bikes, your in for a treat. Even away from the TT circuit, its motorcycle overload.
I cant wait , but like I say a bit nervous on what i may get as I suppose it a bit pot luck . Prices vary from £25 upwards, just be careful where you are looking at as you might get a bed in Jurby but transport could end up being a problem.
Our original homestay died pre-covid and we eventually found new digs not too far away, last year, and on a bus route too. The people couldn't be friendlier.
If you like bikes, your in for a treat. Even away from the TT circuit, its motorcycle overload.
Never been or know the Island at all , im just going to try to stay nr Douglas , as hopefully one less thing to worry about !
If I can find something for around £25 a night that would be perfect .
If I get really stuck or cant find anything im just going to rack up and hopefully find something even if I have to buy a few beers and crash on a floor ???
Can I ask how kind of safe is it with crime , or being mugged / robbed , or say if I did camp tents do they get broken in to lots ? Or the B ana B stuff can you leave anything in the room or not ?
Petrolhead67 said:
Can I ask how kind of safe is it with crime , or being mugged / robbed , or say if I did camp tents do they get broken in to lots ? Or the B ana B stuff can you leave anything in the room or not ?
Never had any issues ourselves. Have heard of things being robbed, but its a small island, getting things off it is generally 1 way.If your going to steal off bikers, you need your head examined.
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