Top 10 local things to do and try out, this Bank Holiday weekend

The late Bank Holiday is here and what a weekend we have in store. A long weekend off (for most), many will have welcomed loved ones back to the Island and will hopefully be reunited with close family members once more. 

Are you booked into a campsite, hotel, self-catering cottage or apartment this weekend to enjoy some time out? Abbie, owner of Isle of Man Local is excited about her own little staycay this weekend and has informed us that she’s staying in Douglas Lighthouse. Keep an eye on our social media channels to find out more about this amazing accommodation and to get a bird’s eye view of her staycay experience. We can’t wait to hear more! 

The Isle of Man has some amazing weather forecast and to top it off, there are lots of new local businesses and activities opening up for us to enjoy.

To help you make the most of your long weekend off, we’ve pulled together our top 10 picks of local places to visit and things to do this weekend!

1. Did you know that the Island’s first and only cat café, Manx Cat Café is to open its doors for the first time this weekend, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed and cost café environment and spend time with their amazing local cats whilst you’re there? Based in Douglas, this new and fun cafe is going to be a popular hangout, so please ensure you book a table to avoid disappointment. Pop over to the Manx Cat Cafe Facebook page to find out more.
2. With the forecast as good as it is, we recommend a trip to the local sandy shores around the Island, so make sure you’re ‘beach ready’ and get yourselves down to the new Cosy Nook Beach Bar & Café brought to you thanks to a brilliant collaboration between Noa Bakehouse and Foraging Vintners. Don’t forget to pack your tub of Beach Powder, the highly acclaimed powder that removes sand from hands and feet without any moaning! Win Win! This ‘Dragon’s Den’ favourite is absolutely brilliant, and we particularly love their shimmer version, leaving you with that dewy glow, perfect for sunset cocktails with your tribe, on the opposite end of Port Erin promenade – A perfect ‘day to night’ accessory!
3. This weekend why not step back in time and visit one of the incredible Manx National Heritage Sites? Many of their sites are opening to the public from this weekend, so pack yourself a picnic and take in the local history and stunning vistas from the grounds of Peel Castle to Rushen Abbey. If you prefer a more laid back affair, you can kick back in the relaxing and colourful gardens of the Grove Museum and sample a delicious coffee and homemade cake al fresco whilst the children enjoy a mini nature hunt. If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb to the top of Castle Rushen for those spectacular views of the town and harbour, before tucking in to a Mediterranean bite to eat in the new outdoor dining spaces at Leonardos and Secret Pizza, allowing you to max the al fresco dining all weekend long.
4. Fancy dipping your toe in the water this weekend with a ‘Beginners and Discovery Paddleboard sessions, from just £24 each? We’ve teamed up with the fantastic Saltworks SUP Paddleboarding to bring you two exclusive offers to wet the appetite! Perfect if you’re looking to gather your family or friends and see the Island from a new perspective or treat someone to a voucher they’ll love. FIND OUT MORE 
5. You won’t go hungry this Bank Holiday, thanks to a visit to Truth Wine Bar and Tapas in Ramsey, where you’re guaranteed incredible food, warm hospitality and excellent value for money. Exclusive to Isle of Man Local customers, feast your eyes on these exclusive Isle of Man Local offers, with a choice of delicious meals at a fraction of the normal cost, guaranteed to tickle the taste buds!
6. We are looking forward to making the most of the lighter and warmer evenings and what better way to relax than to pick up a sumptuous pizza from Parish Pantry at Ballamoar Campsite (Friday) or you may prefer to take a load off and enjoy a pizza in the beer garden alongside the stunning view of Mooragh Park lake, at Conrod’s Pizzeria (open all weekend). Both of these mouth-watering options are available for those of you who are in the North this weekend.
7. Hang out with the Lemurs, Monkeys and wildlife at The Curraghs Wildlife Park before letting the children work up an appetite on the bouncy pillow. When you’re ready to eat, you’ll be able to pick up a delicious meal at the Mangrove Cafe.  We have heard good reports about their Vegan pie & salad special at just £6.95, which is not only reasonably priced, but also huge! Yum!
8. With the forecast set to bathe our beautiful Island in glorious sunshine, grab your sun cream and towel and head to one of our stunning local beaches with friends and family. Whether you’re planning a quick throwaway BBQ meal, packing a staycay food hamper or planning to stay home and fire up the BBQ, our local food suppliers have you and your fresh food requirements covered! Whip up some fresh fruit sundaes, roast locally grown vegetables, and grill your choice of freshly caught fish or local meat and wash it down with a lovely glass of Cider from Isle of Cider or Rhubarb Fizz from Foraging Vinters, the Island’s array of local food & drink businesses will keep your pantry, picnic basket and BBQ topped up. Order your fish from Isle of Man Seafoods, Robinsons or Kermelley Seafood and grab a BBQ pack from Lee Mayers Butchers in Kirk Michael, Ballakelley Farm in Andreas, Tate’s Butchers in Peel, Number 16 Victoria Street in Douglas or Radcliffe’s Butchers in Castletown. Don’t forget those colourful summer salads with a vast choice of locally grown organic vegetables,  from our wonderful local farm shops around the Island.
9. When it’s sunny, we’re off work and we feel in the mood for a treat, you won’t go far wrong with one of the many frozen delights from around our gorgeous Island including the Gelatory in Ramsey, Davisons in Peel, Cafe Delicious in Port Erin and the refreshing Frozzd ice lollies from the Shed in Laxey.
10. Last but by no means least, we hope you have time to get out and enjoy our Island to the max and explore the beautiful scenes, remote paths and soak up that gorgeous sunshine. Two recommendations on our list this weekend include the amazing walk to the Tower of Refuge, which takes place on Friday 28^th May or a try out a section of the Raad ny Foillan (Way of the Gull) coastal footpath, where you’ll find an abundance of wildlife, photo worthy views and as much fresh air and ‘Vitamin Sea’ that you can handle. Take a flask of locally ground coffee, grab some local vegan bites and delights from the amazing Veg and Vitality, (available from their website or Victoria Road Shoprite in Douglas) and pack yourself a delicious backpack of local treats, and make a day of it. Support local at every turn and keep you and your fellow walkers well fuelled, to ensure you’re satisfied from dawn til dusk. If you’re still feeling peckish, there’s nothing better than tucking into a fresh portion of fish and chips whilst you watch the sun go down, content that you’ve enjoyed all that the Island has to offer.

Whatever you decide to do with your long weekend, we wish you a wonderful break and as always, thank you for continuing to support local businesses, you are all incredible.

Team Isle of Man Local x