House of Manannan

This is a fantastic place and a must visit on the island. The history flows through as you go through door one all the way to the end of museum. A number of interactive items are available as you go through too. The full size viking ship is absolutely fantastic and it makes you think about how they survived using them to sail the seas. This place is very much worth a visit just watch out for bus trips so you don't get slowed up.

Pleasure to visit this museum. I didn't think it would be go big and interesting. They have put a lot of effort into putting it all together and goes on and on (in a positive way !) Worth a visit if you are in Town. Lots to see in the area too and the pub next door is tidy too

I can say, I enjoyed it... 🏛️ Museum House of Manannan Here is some key practical information if you are considering a visit: Exhibits & Experience Highly interactive, immersive life-size reconstructions (Celtic roundhouse, Viking longship); engaging multi-sensory elements (sights, sounds, smells). Informative Manx Wildlife displays. The history of the Steampacket company. Some of these are in the process of being updated ○ Main Attractions: The museum guides you through the Isle of Man's Celtic, Viking, and maritime past. Key exhibits include a full-sized Celtic roundhouse, the Odin's Raven (a two-thirds scale Viking longship sailed from Norway in 1979), and a re-creation of a 19th-century Peel street with a kipper yard. ○ Admission Prices: As of 2025, adult tickets are £14, students are £5.50-£7, and children under 18 go free. All tickets have an optional £1.50 voluntary donation to the heritage trust. ○ Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. It is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. ○ Location & Access: The museum is located on Mill Road in Peel, in a converted former railway station. It is fully accessible with lifts to all floors and disabled toilets. ○ Staff are consistently are welcoming, helpful, and knowledgeable. ○ There is a lovely and well stocked gift shop ○ Nice cafe were to restore your energy. ○ Child friendly areas along the way 💡 How to Get the Most from Your Visit ○ Plan Your Time: Most visitors spend 2-3 hours here. ○ Visit During Quieter Times: If you prefer smaller crowds, the museum notes that its quieter times outside of school holidays are between 9:30 am and 11:30 am, every day except Saturdays. ○ Check for Passes or Reciprocity: If you are planning to visit multiple heritage sites on the Isle of Man, a Manx National Heritage Holiday Pass might offer good value. The museum also has reciprocal agreements with some organizations like the National Trust, but it's best to confirm this with them directly before your visit... The House of Manannan offers a highly engaging and family-friendly journey through Manx history. While it may show its age in small areas, the general consensus is that its innovative storytelling and immersive atmosphere make it a standout attraction. I hope this candid overview helps you decide.

More Than Just a Museum, It's a Time-Traveling Adventure (With a Gift Shop) Four stars. Would get lost in the Viking longhouse again. Let's be honest, when you hear "museum," you think of dusty relics, hushed whispers, and the overwhelming desire to touch things you absolutely shouldn't. But the House of Manannan in Peel is a different beast entirely. It's less a museum and more a full-blown, slightly chaotic, and surprisingly hilarious theatrical production about the Isle of Man's history. Then you enter the Viking longhouse, and this is where things get real. I fully expected a static display, but what I got was an immersive soundscape of burping, snoring, and what I can only assume is a very realistic depiction of Viking communal flatulence. It's a symphony of bodily noises that truly brings the past to life. My inner child (and outer adult) was in hysterics. The journey continues, and you find yourself in a Victorian street, complete with a recreated fishmonger's shop. The smell of "fish" is so authentic, you'll be tempted to ask for a pound of cod. (Spoiler alert: it's not real, but the brain is a powerful thing.) The entire experience is a sensory assault in the best possible way. And let's not forget the gift shop. It's a treasure trove of Mannin-themed souvenirs, from t-shirts with the three legs of Mann to miniature lighthouse models. I left with a soft Manx Cat, and a soft version of Moddey Dhoo a souvenir I never knew I needed but now can't live without. What is aMoxdey Dhoo I hear you ask? Well it's a phantom black dog in Manx folklore that reputedly haunted Peel Castle on the west coast of the Isle of Man. In conclusion, the House of Manannan is a riot. It's a historical journey that doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's all the better for it. Bring your sense of humor and your willingness to be serenaded by a flatulent Viking soundscape. You won't regret it.

One of the best museums I have been to. I loved the interactive aspects of the museum and story telling theme from the point of Manannan. It made the visit and learning much more enjoyable. The scenes making you feel like you travelled back into the past were interesting too, I felt like I was going through a walk through movie attraction! The scenes were very eye catching. The tap-screens where Manannan talks to you were very fun for me and my girlfriend, and it was fun to tap and learn about (almost) each thing. The interactive sections later ("tap the bottle to hear his story") were a little tricky to figure out but watching the videos of these characters and their lives were very endearing and an interesting point of view to see. The staff were very friendly and answered questions with ease. It's decently kid friendly in my view, with their "kid trail" where small kids toys are dotted about the exhibits for them to track and the occasional "play places" (toys) for them to use which will keep them entertained in small bursts if they get restless. Me and my girlfriend enjoyed the dress up sections, very fun photo opportunites for families who like taking photos. The long videos could be potentially boring for younger kids who get restless easily, so I feel these little play pit stops help greatly. Lots of seating throughout so can stop to rest if needed. Elevators available later when the next exhibit is up stairs. Had a range of things to learn, ranging from History of the Island, Natural History and so on. Gift shop had a big variety of items to buy from Isle of Man animal merch, some racing merch and some celtic accessories which was very fitting for the theme of the museum. Overall an amazing experience which phenomenal visuals. Loved the actor for Manannan, very endearing.

Definitely worth a visit - give yourself some time at least 1.5 hrs. It started really well - loved the celtic home. Wasn't that impressed if am honest on the viking section which I was particularly interested in. The storytelling/videos on this were a bit boring and aged and I didnt learn much. This section needs a revamp. Onto the rest of the museum about local life - it was great, really good. We loved the smells the stories the layout which encourages exploration - it was great.

Excellent displays and information. We learnt a lot about the history of the island and its people. Friendly staff and nice food in the cafe.

Great museum. Plenty to see, lots of history. Can't use National trust card here.