House of Manannan
House of Manannan
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Mythical sea god Manannan guides you through this interactive museum which focuses on the Isle of Man's rich Celtic, Viking and maritime past. Discover life sized reconstructions of Celtic roundhouses, join the crew of the Odin’s Raven on a Viking longship as it returns from the battle of Clontarf, or find out what life was life in a Viking longhouse. You’ll also hear about the magnificent stone crosses dotted around the Island’s landscape and find out where you can still see them. Explore 19th Century Peel with a walk around the quayside, complete with traditional sights and smells from the Manx kipper yard, and uncover the importance of the sea to the lives of the people on the Isle of Man. During your journey from past to present you’ll also come face to face with characters telling you stories and superstitions from the Island’s past. An attraction not to be missed!
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- mystic100268 contributionsGreat place to find out about the islands historyGreat place to find out about the islands history. Everything is laid out in a very informative and interesting way with number of great interactive displays. The ladies at the ticket kiosk were particularly friendly and welcomingVisited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 April 2024
- Wendz11Birmingham, United Kingdom142 contributionsWell worth a visitWell worth a visit. House of Manannan is very interesting, It is a must on a visit to Peel. It has a small tearoom, lifts to all the levels and plenty of toilets on each level. I wish I could have spent more time in here. I did not see everything as it was time to return to our coach. Very knowledgeable staff.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 April 2024
- David TDoncaster, United Kingdom119 contributionsHistory lesson of Isle of ManVisited this museum for the first time (been to IOM many times) whilst on a coach trip to IOM. Very impressed with all the displays and information about the history of the IOM. Only allowed 90 minutes to see all exhibits and will revisit if in Peel again. Particularly liked the video presentations and the model of the round house. Well worth a couple of hours if you are interested in history of island. Slight minor point - small Cafe unable to accommodate many customers.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 4 May 2024
- RapsmanTaunton, United Kingdom10 contributionsExcellent museumWhat a breathtaking experience. A comprehensive study of the history of the island superbly told via interactive video and displays. The first display, a reconstruction of a round house is awesome. Highly recommended.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 May 2024
- John WWorcestershire, United Kingdom39 contributionsVery impressiveA very impressive place to visit, with so much of the island's history presented in an informative manner. All aspects of the Isle of Man are together in the same building, and we left with much more knowledge than when we arrived. So many nice touches, such as the smell of kippers in the fishing section. The additional section on the history of the RNLI on the island was a real bonus. Staff were pleasant and welcoming.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 June 2024
- Ibrahim GHuddersfield, United Kingdom201 contributionsvery good displaysWent on day 2 of the visit to IOM. The owner of the cafe we called at that morning mentioned that this is the best place to start on the tour of the island, giving you the initial history. He wasn't wrong, you can tell there has been quite a bit of investment in the site. There was plenty of things to keep my autistic son occupied, you may need to be patient with some of the interactive props but they do work.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 July 2024
- MerrowmumGuildford, United Kingdom1,389 contributionsSuperb modern interactive museumThis is a really superbly done modern museum explaining the history of the different peoples who have lived on the Isle of Man in a very visual and interactive way, great for anyone but particularly suitable for families with children. The reconstructions of various types of dwellings and situations over the millennia are extremely well done. The highlight must, however, be the replica Norse Longship “Odin’s Raven”, which was actually sailed across from Norway in 1979. I also liked the Celtic roundhouse and the kipper smoking factory ! Highly recommended.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 August 2024
- Spoony14London, United Kingdom103 contributionsAn excellent interactive museumWe very much enjoyed our visit here. When we arrived there were dancers and musicians celebrating a cultural event outside the venue. It was a joy to watch. The museum itself is a truly excellent and interactive experience. You traverse through different rooms exploring the culture of the Isle of Man. Lots of information about the history of the island and videos and artifacts to peruse. The staff were also very friendly and informative. Highly recommended!Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
718 reviews
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@ LoveTravel789951
Cheshire, UK90 contributions
May 2022
Absolutely love this museum!! Been numerous times but I still enjoy going. This time I took my mum with me who was visiting the island for the first time. Whilst you pay for entrance to this museum unlike the Manx museum, it is well worth every penny. The staff are wonderful, so knowledgeable and friendly every time. The museum offers interactive things to do for children, no matter how young. Lots to see in a reality kind of way and the story of Manannan is told through a series of film. Highly recommend!
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard S
St Peter Port, UK123 contributions
Aug 2020
Our National Trust membership allowed us free admission to the museum was an unexpected bonus, but overall the museum was one of the best I've ever visited. The displays bring to life the history of the island and the whole experience is captivating and imaginatively put together. If you only visit one attraction on the Isle of Man, this should be it!
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_jackiebeadell
Guildford, UK8 contributions
Sept 2021
Using a central character to take you through the history of the Isle of Man is a brilliant idea. Interesting for all ages. You could spend several hours within its walls, if you read everything, or simply listen and watch all of the screens and 'sets'. Beautifully done.
Written 16 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
McCharlie1
18 contributions
Jan 2020
Been many times before always makes a good day out.
Displays are beautiful and amazing entertainment, kids and adults will throughly enjoy.
So much to learn about the history of the Isle of Man, staff are very friendly, it’s also very big.
There’s even long houses and round houses, definitely worth a visit.
Displays are beautiful and amazing entertainment, kids and adults will throughly enjoy.
So much to learn about the history of the Isle of Man, staff are very friendly, it’s also very big.
There’s even long houses and round houses, definitely worth a visit.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JakeCox
Cardiff, UK134 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
On a cultural day out during my trip to the Isle of Man I visited here with my partner and her parents (resident Manx).
I found the museum to be a wonderful place with an extensive and engaging array of exhibits covering all aspects of the isle's rich history.
There's so much to see, I really enjoyed my visit and will have to go again as there's simply too much information for just one visit. I can see why even people who live nearby make this a frequent trip. Really good. Thank you.
I found the museum to be a wonderful place with an extensive and engaging array of exhibits covering all aspects of the isle's rich history.
There's so much to see, I really enjoyed my visit and will have to go again as there's simply too much information for just one visit. I can see why even people who live nearby make this a frequent trip. Really good. Thank you.
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy M
Stamford, UK306 contributions
Aug 2021
The house of Manannon is not your usual museum, I was pleasantly surprised by the content in each room.
The history of the Isle of Man story is told through displays that are reconstructions of buildings used in the Isle of Man over the centuries, plus artifacts and interactive audio-visual clips and in some cases the associated smells.
The only downside was that there is so much audio content that sometimes you can also hear the commentaries from the other displays.
There is a small, free car park behind the museum, with an overflow car park close by.
This experience is good value for money.
The history of the Isle of Man story is told through displays that are reconstructions of buildings used in the Isle of Man over the centuries, plus artifacts and interactive audio-visual clips and in some cases the associated smells.
The only downside was that there is so much audio content that sometimes you can also hear the commentaries from the other displays.
There is a small, free car park behind the museum, with an overflow car park close by.
This experience is good value for money.
Written 30 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IOMtravelgirl
Douglas, UK585 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Peel is a lovely, small town with an impressive museum . It tells the Viking history of the Isle of Man through stories. Great for adults and children. It also has some later history about the fishing industry and the Steam Packet. Multi sensory and fascinating. What a great little place.
Written 11 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsAnnie G
Suffolk130 contributions
Sept 2021
Can't praise this place highly enough - so very interesting, a great mix of artefacts and dioramas bring history to life. The Odin's Raven display is breathtaking, loved the roundhouse, street scene and the activites for kids, the short films were well worth watching. The cafe was also super, cheapest tea in town and nice staff. Unmissable.
Written 24 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim B
Burton upon Trent, UK287 contributions
Jul 2023
Didn't really do this museum justice, we had been to Peel castle and as we had a visitor pass for the heritage sites popped in for a quick look round, too much of interest to get it done quick. Very well laid out, scenes set up so you can see exactly what it would have been like to live in those times, could have stayed much longer than we did give yourself plenty of time for a proper look round. Glad we went though.
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crien W
Ghent, Belgium1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
We were on the Isle of Man (visiting from Flanders /Belgium) for 3 full days and I’m sooooo glad we decided to visit this museum ! I’ve been to a lot of museums but this is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Great interaction between visitor and museum. Eg a reconstructed ‘house’ brings you to the history of the island as if you had been there yourself.
They also use smells to bring you deeper into the museum experience. Loved it !!!
I recommend to combine the museum with a visit to the ruins of Peel Castle.
They also use smells to bring you deeper into the museum experience. Loved it !!!
I recommend to combine the museum with a visit to the ruins of Peel Castle.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am a member of The National Trust. Can I use this in IOM
Written 13 February 2019
When we visited we could, they had a reciprocal agreement. Worth checking with them beforehand to see if still in place.
Written 22 February 2019
I would like to know if it s possible to take pictures inside the museum?
Written 27 July 2018
Could you please let me know how much it is to visit the museum for a adult's and children (up-to what age)
Thanks
Written 17 July 2017
The price of visiting House of Manannan is £10 for adults and £5 for children. The most cost effective way to visit attractions is to purchase a Holiday Pass which provides access to all Manx National Heritage sites (£20) or Season Pass for local residents. There's also free entry for Members of the Friends of Manx National Heritage and we have a reciprocal agreement with English Heritage, National Trust and others - members showing their cards receive free entry. In return, you can opt to leave a donation to our charitable funds. Admission income and donations make a huge difference and help with the upkeep of the site.
Written 24 July 2017
When you going to spend some money on it and get it back to its former glory days??
Written 17 March 2015
The House of Manannan is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme including a redesign of the Kingdom of Man and the Isles gallery and the outside area, which will be turned into a play space. The new gallery is scheduled to be open in May of this year.
Written 19 March 2015
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