The rush of the summer holidays has passed, the days are still warm and natures colours begin to transition from Summer to Autumn. September is very much a month of change and with lower prices on travel and accommodation than the peak summer months makes it a great window of opportunity to visit and stay in an Isle of Man holiday cottage!
Here are our top 5 reasons to visit the Isle of Man this September.
1. When day turns to night…..
With the nights drawing in we often enjoy great early evening sunsets on our west coast, these merging into the darkness of the Autumn sky, ideal for stargazers! Out of around 100 official Dark Sky Discovery sites in the British Isles, the Isle of Man boasts the largest concentration of them within one area, with a whopping 26 official sites. Find out more on our blog dedicated to stargazing (photo credit - James Brew).
2. Explore our island on foot
With slightly cooler weather than the height of the summer, September is a great month for walking. Our coastal footpath the “Raad Ny Foillan” offers nearly 100 miles of coastal footpath which can be explored in sections or in one go over several days. In addition, the hills and glens provide a wonderful contrast with a fine display of autumnal splendour.
At the end of the month, Walk the Isle of Man takes place. A festival of walking for all abilities. 27th September – 1st October 2021.
3. A taste sensation......
For such a small place the Isle of Man presents a vibrant food and drink scene. In 2018 “Queenies” were crowned the national dish of the Isle of Man. The name first arose from the name ‘queen scallop’ and has been widely used by locals and visitors alike for many years. However, there is so much more than “Queenies” on offer with an abundance of local restaurants sourcing a wide range of local produce. You can explore more at the annual Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival taking place at the Villa Marina in Douglas between 18-19 September 2021.
https://www.iomfoodanddrink.com/
4. Take a dip in the sea.
OK, so whilst the Irish Sea is by no means tropical, you’ll find the sea temperature at its warmest during the autumn months, a balmy 14-15 degrees Celsius (57-60 degrees Farenheit) Open water swimming is a popular activity on the island, and places like Port Erin bay make a great place to take a dip. From snorkeling over sandy bays, rockpooling, sea kayaking and paddleboarding there is a wide range of activities sure to give you a good dose of vitamin sea.
5. Take to your bike
The Isle of Man is an unusual mecca for mountain bikers and road cyclists alike. With great trails offering stunning panoramic coastal views and all within a close proximity you can easily spend days exploring our island on two wheels.
For those seeking a more grueling challenge, the End 2 End Mountain bike event takes place on Sunday 12th September 2021, this 75km route from the Point of Ayre in the north to Port Erin in the south makes for a great day out!
For more information go to: https://end2end.im/
There are a number of Isle of Man self catering holiday cottage options available, browse them here. Please contact us if you'd like to know more!
