The Great Laxey Wheel

Doesn't look like much from the outside and I was in 2 minds to go in and spend my money. It was worth it. I ended up buying a 14 tourist pass so you can go in lots of other attractions on the Island. I am sure I will by the end of the holiday. However the wheel is really interesting with all the history. Staff were friendly and informative.

Bit of walk(about 15 min) from train, hilly in parts for those who struggle. Can use National trust card for entry. 99 steps to top, very low beam near top. Good piece of engineering. Historic place to visit. Walk up to the mine but only short entry in.

Arrived early on the Saturday and were the first in, this gave us the chance to start the wheel itself. That was great fun, then climbed to the top to watch it start. Visited the mine after and went to the back of it, on the way out we were visited by a Robin who gets fed by the wardens, it was so close to us.

Short 10-15 Min from both the electric railway and bus stop. Very impressive heritage site. Thought it was just the wheel at the start but can easily spend a few hours exploring the place. Heading into the mines with a hard hat to see a little bit of what the miners had to work through (it's only a short walk available but it's interesting) or heading to the top of the wheel (narrow spiral staircase with 96 steps and a possibility of a concussion if your not careful enough with the beam - you are warned about this tho) fantastic views all around or just walking to the end........it's a long walk with multiple routes. Some folk moan about the price but it's £14 (£15.50 if you agree with the donation) but I thought 14 was a decent price - since it's more than a wheel. Don't expect to do much if you struggle with stairs and steep areas.

Such an interesting engineering masterpiece. It’s worth braving the 99 steps to the top of the wheel. Then the walk around claims to be an hour more its more like 30 minutes. You can also walk around 20 metres into the mine. Overall a good way to spend ~1 hour and £14.

Haven't been here for over 47 years, so revisited whilst attending the I.O.M. TT races. It didn't disappoint, lovely to see it well maintained, nice to see thee cutting edge engineering (of the time) still working.. The views from the top were great, Mines weren't much to see, but worth a visit. Very Pricey for what it is at £15.50 per Adult 😳 Free parking there and nice cafe a short distance away. The road is quite narrow and seep leading up to it.

As it was my last day on the Isle of Man, I decided to visit the Laxey Great Wheel, which I had spotted in the distance while taking the train up Snaefell Mountain. When I first arrived at the site, my impression wasn’t the best. I went straight to the information desk to pick up a map, thinking it would help me navigate and find my way up to the wheel. Unfortunately, the signposting around the site was quite confusing and unclear. After passing through the gates, I came across the first sign, which directed me over the bridge. This path led me in front of a rail line, but the directions ended there. With no further guidance, I wasn’t sure whether I needed to turn left or right. After wandering for a short while, I eventually had to return to the information desk to confirm the correct route. It was a little frustrating at the start of my visit, as I had expected the directions to be more straightforward. There was an entry fee of £14, but since I had purchased a TT Heritage Pass, my entry was free. one of the things I enjoyed most about thevwheel was the engineering and the views fron the top of the wheel which can be accessed by the spiral staircase. I also had fun exploring the mining tunnels and the staff who stood beside the tunnels provided hard hats.

We visited when the weather was not so great. If it rains you will definitely get wet, there is very limited opportunity to shelter. It cost us £15.50 each entrance fee and it was free parking. The car park is on a hill and has 2/3 tight blind corners on the single track road that leads to it. There is an option to park in Laxey near the gift shop and walk to the wheel. (10-15 mins). If it’s a nice day there are picnic tables set alongside the water to enjoy views and the peace and quiet. You can visit a mine, walk on trails, visit the t rocker and explore the valley. The ticket office is also a souvenir shop. Great place to visit but keep an eye on the weather.

It's beautiful in every way. A piece of engineering, a piece of Art and a piece of history. The paint job is immaculate, no disrepair here at all. I first tied to climb in 1974, made it to the second level and had to be brought down by a school dinner lady. Tried again yesterday 2025, made it to the second level again and was brought down by a kindly Scottish fella. Pablo climbed the spiral all the way to the top. Make sure someone is on the ground to get a picture of you because its one of the best photo ops in IOM. Gifts available at the ticket office. Walk on after to the Mine Exhibit, put on your helmet for a 30 yard walk into the mine, It was very wet inside so be prepared. This is a tourist attraction at its best.

The Great Laxey Wheel is one of the most quirky attractions you can find on the Isle of Man. On the one hand you are right - it is just a big (very big) water wheel - but honestly, even if you have seen it on pictures before you visit, you are still awed by the sheer sitze of this engineering feat of the Victorian Era. In a time when industrialization shifted from water power to steam power, a small band of engineers in the hills of Laxey resisted the changing times and started to build one of the biggest water wheels that the world had seen - and which is now the highest functioning water wheel in the world. But for what did they build it? The 22m high structure was built to pump water from the mines deep under the Snaefell Mountain and it did it for quite some time until it finally had to succumb to the bigger power - steam, and eventually the end of mining in this place. But the wheel was never dismanteled, and over the last years it was restored to old glory. So what can you see here beside of a f. big water wheel? The whole place is a Manx Heritage Sight and there is a lot information about the Wheel, the History and especially about the life of the Miners in that time. Everything is explained in great detail and especially the part about the miners is very interesting as you get deep insight into the life of miners, how dangerous the work was and what it meant to live without social security. Beside of this you can walk up to the top of the wheel and have splendid views over the surrounding area or you can explore a small mine shaft to get a better feeling what working conditions were like in this place. Yes, it is true that you can see the Wheel also from town without paying a penny for it - but the closer you get, the more impressive it is and with all the additional information and the view from the top it is well worth the money. So if you happen to be on the Isle of Man, you should make Laxey part of your itinary. The Wheel, the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the Electric Railway and an awesome tea shop give Laxey enough attractions to keep you occupied for a whole day!

This is a must-see for visitors and locals, the Laxey Wheel was built in 1854 to pump water from the mine shafts. It is the largest working waterwheel in the world, an impressive feat of Victorian engineering. The mine employed over 600 miners at its peak producing lead, copper, silver and zinc until it closed in 1929. In 1965 the Manx Government bought the wheel and site, it is now a Manx National Heritage. There is a car park at the top however If you visit the Ballacregga Corn Mill restaurant (just across the street) there is a short gravel footpath to the Laxey Wheel car park. In summer, there is bus service to the Laxey Wheel, drops you at the foot of the road, the footpath is to the left (safer option that walking on the narrow road used by cars). Lunch or tea at Ballacregga Corn Mill and a visit to the Laxey Wheel would be a great way to spend an afternoon, especially on a sunny day.