05-Mar-2026
We live on the outskirts of the Isle of Man's capital, Douglas. Aka "town". The very plainest route into town is still a really quite acceptable walk: Down what must have been the old road, now given over to dog-walkers and rooks; across the big road; down past the golf course; through the next estate; along a little bit of the next big road (not enough to be troublesome); and then, via a variety of routes, to your chosen destination. (By "big road", by the way, we're talking Isle of Man-style big road. We're not thinking dual carriageways here...)
Over the last little while, we've whittled away at this basic route, all with a view to cutting down "road" bits.
This last week, however, we've done a few variations on the theme.
1.
First up, the route along the north of the river. This cuts out a lot of road. It's a bit muddy, but very pretty. What's on the other side of the river is actually an industrial estate, but you wouldn't really know that. It's all very green and pleasant.
The Inkerman Memorial. It's a Russian gun, set up to commemorate the death of Thomas Leigh-Goldie, who died in the Battle of Inkerman (part of the Crimea campaign) in 1854
The entrance to The Nunnery
And the little row of cottages a little further along
This particular day lent itself to eating sandwiches on the prom, where you can always snap a pretty house or two
Verdict: A good, serviceable route. A great combo of speed and picturesqueness.
2.
If you want to go all out on the scenic option, then head out towards the Fairy Bridge at Kewaigue, but carry on to the Marine Drive, which will take you very beautifully to Douglas Head. And from there you descend to the harbour.
The lovely little bridge again
On, via easy paths...
...gorgeous views...
...and buildings whose history I do not know...
...to your scenic lunch spot (where you may or may be joined by two border collies desperate for you to throw their stick for them...
The Marine Drive is always spectacular, and that day it was enhanced by a delicate little film of mist:
You can top up with coffee at the other branch of Noa, opposite the Sea Terminal
Verdict: You wouldn't want to do this routinely, but it's a really awesome way to get to town.
3.
Another day, we set out early, walked right across the back of Douglas to the sad old Summerland site, and then the entire length of the prom back to the Sea Terminal. The combo of the time of day and the interest of the buildings was definitely a winning one:
A particular surprise was Upper Dukes Road, whose chequerboard houses I swear I've never seen before... Really, really cool
Then down, past the old Falcon Cliff, to the prom
Verdict: This was really rewarding, and I'm looking forward to doing it again. Perhaps go even earlier, and take breakfast with us?
Options 2 and 3 really need the buses to be working... They're still doable if you add the return journey on foot, but it's definitely a bigger investment of time and shoe leather... The buses, you'll have gathered, are still intermittent on account of ongoing strike action. We're really hoping this thing will be solved soon...
Still, the bottom line is that the walking here is really good, and we're enjoying it a lot.