The Millennium Way's ------ start or finish, whichever way you look at it is situated just outside Ramsey on the Lezarye Road. It is a footpath commemorating the Millennium which goes from the north of the island to the south at Castletown. Twenty six miles long it takes in many of the islands high spots including Snaefell. The start at at Ramsey takes you first up Sky Hill passing on the way the stone that depicts the site of the last battle on Manx soil in 1079..............................


Poyll Dooey ------ is a delightful place to walk and relax. Situated on the banks of the River Sulby on the edge of Ramsey it's a haven for many different types of wildlife. The local commissioners along with local businesses have created a nature trail which is interesting to both adults and children alike..........................


Mooragh Park ------  in Ramsey is a fantastic park this is for either young or old. It seems to have everything. For it's main selling point it has in the middle a sea water filled lake where you can either hire boats or pedalos. Also at times the local model yacht club hold races here, and you can also have lessons in how to sail or use a canoe as the local Venture Centre from Maughold use it quite frequently..........................
..................Around the lake you will find a crazy golf course, tennis courts, a crown green bowling square, a recently refurbished children's playground as well as a restaurant that serves nice food which includes snacks as well as Sunday meals. Close by to the restaurant you will find a kiddies paddling pool and a covered area where on some days you can sit and watch local dance groups and entertainers do their stuff. All this along with well designed and planted gardens and you have a place of soltitude. Somwhere you can walk around and feel good with spectacular views to Barrule and then on to Snae Fell....................
...........It is also home to a recently altered BMX track where on some Sundays you can watch the riders competing in this most energetic of sports. I'm afraid I'm not up to competing. As well as an up to date all singing and dancing skate park.The money for which was left to the children of Ramsey by a very generous benefactor specifically for this cause........................
Dhoon Glen ------ Which is nothing short of spectacular is serviced by two paths which take you through one of the Islands most picturesque glens, both leading to Dhoon Beach. This is a large pebbled beach with a spectacular cave and rock formations at one end which can be reached only at low tide......................
........................Path one will take you to the beach via the top of the glen along the cliff edge. Route two takes the path along the brook right through the glen and is spectacular especially when you reach the steps that climb down alongside one of the tallest waterfalls on the island. During the severe storms that hit the island two years ago this glen was virtualy destroyed with trees and bridges being swept away in the torrent of water that was coming down from the hills. After a lot of time and money spent by the Manx Government the glen is now fully restored to it's former glory, though it does seem a little bare in places. We've been lucky to visit here during all types of weather conditions and it was fantastic on each ocassion. The one time was just after we had heavy rain and the waterfall was at it's most magnificent. Another was in mid winter when we had had a very heavy frost. Previous winds had brought down large branches which were half in the waterfall and half out, the part that was out of the water was just covered in ice and the branches made a fantastic sight.
If walking back up from the beach through the glen expect a hard walk especially when you come to the steps by the waterfall. There are strategically spaced resting places with benches and these are well used. Also do be careful if the weather has been wet as they can become slippy. Though it's hard work it is all well worth the effort..........

Ballaglass Glen ------ situated in Maughold is a fantastic place to visit especially in the spring when the bluebells are out in force. We were amazed at the amount of them when we visited one spring. There are a number of very nice signposted walks in the glen that aren't that difficult. There is a large sign at the entrance to the car park showing these different routes and the car park can be found just passed Cornaa tram station in Maughold.........................................


The Point of Ayre ------ the pointy bit at the northern most tip of the island is a natural habitat for many species of birds and plants. During the summer months when the Ayres visitors centre is open you can find out all about this unique area. If you are lucky you might even get the chance to see the biggest fish in the world as they sometimes swim in the waters close to the beach. The fish being the basking shark, a massive creature that feeds on minute particles that it sifts through its very large mouth.  Even out of season it is a great place for walking either on the very steeply shelving rocky shore or through the many sand dunes that cover this area. Do however take extra special care, as at certain times you can find yourself in the middle of tern nesting areas.......................................................................

Sulby Glen and reservoir ------  are well worth a visit as the views on a clear day can be amazing. One of the best ways to see it all is by having a circular drive. Start off in Ramsey and head south along the Lezayre Road towards Sulby. When in Sulby go as far as the Sulby Glen Hotel which will be on your right then take the road to the left opposite the hotel. It is signposted Snaefell. This road takes you to the mountain road at bungalow via Sulby Glen and Thot-y-Will. Drive carefully as at times the road can be very narrow and also winding and steep. You can stop at either the craft shop at Thot-y-Will or at the reservoir itself each have places where you can enjoy a picnic................

The Harbour Bistro ------  proprietors Ken and Patrick Devaney always have a very warm welcome ready for anyone visiting their restaurant on the East Quay Ramsey. This is an excellent place to eat especially if you have a family and get to eat before seven when the specials end. The specials that are on offer give exceptional value, I've tried most of them at some time and I've never been disappointed. The main menu can also recommended as it contains dishes using locally caught and grown produce.  The Queenies are very nice. If you haven't heard of Queenies before, they are a local dish; small scallops. I had never tasted anything like this before but I must say that when I had done they were very tasty indeed.........................


The Swan ------ at the junction of Lezayre Road and Parliament Square......One of the two pubs that are the nearest to where I live so you would think that I would frequent them. I don't. Been in here on a few occasions but it tends to lack atmosphere. Have eaten in here a number of times and the food was good pub grub.........


The Central Hotel ------ Facing Ramsey Town Hall at the junction of Parliament Square and Lezayre Road...........The other local but for one reason or another I've never been inside so I can't comment.....


 The Trafalgar Hotel ------ Situated on the quayside overlooking the harbour................One of the two pubs that we use the most in Ramsey as it's a very friendly pub with great staff and an excellent pint of Guinness. Has won the Islands best pub award on many occasions and rightly so..................... A great pub, probably Ramsey's best just a pity that it doesn't do food...........................


The Mitre Hotel ------ I'll go as far as saying that the upstairs bar in this great pub must have one of the best views in the whole of the British Isles. The downstairs bars are also good though not for the view, for the music. This is the second of the two pubs that we mostly use where again you can get an excellent pint of Guinness and on a Thursday evening listen to local people playing traditional folk music and on a Friday locals playing traditional Irish music. Not to be missed honestly and the best thing of all it's free. Just one minor drawback the gents toilets downstairs leave a lot to be desired...............................................


The Ellan Vannin ------ Previously called the Commercial or as the locals say The Commie and still known as that today this pub is situated on the corner of the quay and market square.........A small but busy pub which can get a bit noisy when live bands are playing........................................


The Royal George ------ Directly opposite The Ellan Vannin in Market Square........A large pub recently re-fitted to a very high standard. Beers from around the world a tad expensive but well worth a visit.........


The Stanley Hotel ------ One pub you can't miss as it's directly opposite the swing bridge on the quayside........Another of those pubs that I hardly frequent.....................................


Night Life ------ Technically not a pub but a night club (locally called FRIGHT LIFE) thought I'd post it as it's a very popular place for the young and not so young. Formerly the Saddle Hotel it is situated in Market Square............Have visited this establishment on two occasions and on both times I've had a little too much to drink before hand. What I can remember was that it was expencive and very, very loud...........................


Bar Logo ------ A young peoples pub situated on Parliament Street which caters for the coffee crowd during the day and the youngsters on a night......................................


The Plough ------ Probably the smallest of the pubs in Ramsey this is situated in Parliament Street opposite Bar Logo....................................................


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The Royal Manx Agricultural Show ------ at Sulby, which takes place in August, is a delight to visit. Here you will be able to browse the aisles of the marquees filled with anything from a child’s pet rabbit to someone else’s work of art. It is a fantastic showpiece of life on the island where either professional people or keen amateurs can come and show off the fruits of their labours. From farmers showing off their prize bulls or having a chat to the very helpful ladies in the Women’s Guild tent, there is something for all tastes.  Learn the art of lace making or just sit and watch many of the displays that take place in the two arenas. You could also have a drop of the hard stuff whilst listening to live music. So much goes on that you need to spend the whole day just wandering around and soaking up the fabulous atmosphere. Our favourite is the grand parade of animals that they have on the Saturday afternoon to judge the Best in Show. It’s not every day that you can stand inches from a champion shire horse the size of a tank, resplendent in all it’s brasses and bows or for that matter a ginger fleeced sheep. Just brilliant..........................

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