Why Honeymoon in Peel
Peel Castle is the centerpiece. Its walls enclose the ruins of an early Christian monastery, a round tower and a 13th-century cathedral, all on St Patrick's Isle, which is joined to the town by a causeway. Viking kings ruled from here. Excavations uncovered a richly furnished Norse grave known as the Pagan Lady. Walking the path around the islet at sunset, with the castle walls glowing red, is the reason to come.
The town itself is relaxed and walkable. Narrow lanes run between fishermen's cottages, the harbor is lined with boats and the beach is a short stroll from almost everywhere.
Nature is close too. Basking sharks feed offshore in early summer, seals gather near the breakwater and the cliffs to the south hold nesting seabirds. It is a gentle, uncrowded place to spend a few days together.
When to Go
June through September is the best period, with July and August the warmest and most reliable months. Evenings are long, with sunsets after 9:30 pm in midsummer, which suits Peel perfectly. Expect highs in the low to mid 60s°F and the chance of rain on any day.
The TT races in late May and early June fill the whole island. Peel hosts its own Peel Day during TT fortnight, but accommodation is scarce and expensive. Unless you are race fans, come after mid June.
July is busy with local events, including the Yn Chruinnaght inter-Celtic festival and Viking longboat races in the harbor. September is calmer and often pleasant.
Winter is wet and windy. Many attractions close or shorten their hours. Peel Castle is typically a summer-season attraction.
Where to Stay
Peel has no big resort hotels. Most visitors stay in guesthouses, small B&Bs or self-catering cottages and apartments, many of them in restored fishermen's houses near the harbor or on the promenade.
For a honeymoon, a self-catering cottage with a sea view is often the best choice. You get space, a kitchen for kippers and local produce plus somewhere to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. Look for places on the promenade or on the slopes above the town for the best views over the bay and castle.
Couples who want a full-service hotel can stay in Douglas, about 25 minutes away by car, then visit Peel for long afternoons and sunsets. Another option is to split the trip: a few nights in Peel for atmosphere and a night or two in Douglas or Castletown for variety.
Romantic Things to Do
- Explore Peel Castle, then walk the path around St Patrick's Isle as the sun sets.
- Visit the House of Manannan, a museum partly in the old railway station that tells the island's Celtic, Viking and maritime story. Its two-thirds scale Viking ship, Odin's Raven, sailed from Norway in 1979.
- Tour Moore's Kipper Yard, which has smoked herring here since Victorian times.
- Climb Peel Hill, across the river, to Corrin's Tower for views of the town and the coast.
- Walk the Raad ny Foillan coastal path south to Glen Maye's waterfall and on to Niarbyl, with its whitewashed cottage and view of the southern hills.
- Join a boat trip in early summer to look for basking sharks.
- On a clear night, look up. Peel Castle is one of the island's Dark Sky sites.
Getting There and Around
Fly to Dublin, Manchester, Liverpool or London and connect to the Isle of Man Airport at Ronaldsway, about 35 to 40 minutes' drive from Peel. Ferries from Heysham and Liverpool arrive in Douglas, about 11 miles away.
Buses connect Peel with Douglas frequently, so you can manage without a car. The old railway line between the two towns is now a footpath and cycleway, which makes a pleasant ride or walk.
A rental car is the best way to see the rest of the island, including the southern cliffs, Castletown and the Snaefell area. Within Peel, everything is walkable. The castle, beach, harbor, museum and kipper yards are all within ten minutes of each other on foot.
Park once and forget the car while you stay in town.
Food and Drink
Peel is the home of the Manx kipper. Herring smoked over oak chips has been produced here since at least the 19th century. Moore's and Devereau's are the two traditional kipper houses still operating. Buy a pair for breakfast or try them grilled in a café.
Queenies, the small sweet scallops that are the island's national dish, appear on local menus, often pan-fried with bacon or simply with garlic butter. Seafood from the harbor is a highlight, as are fish and chips eaten on the promenade wall.
Peel is also known for its ice cream, made with Manx milk and sold from shops near the beach. Several harbor pubs serve local ales. For a more formal dinner, book ahead, as the town's handful of restaurants fill up on summer weekends.
Honeymoon Tips
Check the sunset time and plan your evening around it. The breakwater, the castle path and Peel Hill all make excellent viewpoints.
Bring layers and waterproofs. Even in July the wind off the Irish Sea can be cold.
Visit Peel Castle in the morning or late afternoon to avoid school groups. Check opening hours, which are seasonal.
Book early if you plan to travel anywhere near TT fortnight, or better, avoid those dates altogether.
Combine Peel with a few days in Ireland or northern England to justify the long journey.
Finally, laugh off the weather. A rainy day spent in the House of Manannan followed by a dramatic break of light at sunset is part of the Peel experience.