Onchan: Nature, Coast and History

Onchan offers nature and culture to suit different interests when planning a stay. If you’re looking for hotels in Onchan, you can first consider whether nature trails, coastal views or local history are especially important for your trip. Local highlights range from a publicly accessible nature reserve and reservoirs and glens to a coastal path and a historic miniature railway.

Nature Areas and Reservoir Trails

Onchan Wetlands, also known as Curragh Kiondroghad, is a publicly accessible nature reserve of approximately one acre. Curragh Kiondroghad is accessible to wheelchair users and people with pushchairs; Onchan Wetlands also has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. If the condition of the boardwalk is important for your visit, check it in advance. One acre is approximately 4,000 square metres.

The Clypse and Kerrowdhoo Reservoirs are located in Onchan. Three marked nature trails run through the reservoir area: The Reservoir Trail, The Groudle River Trial and The Upland Trail. The paths pass through an area rich in flora and fauna; ruins of former farmsteads can also be found along the nature trails. To choose between them, you can compare their different highlights: at the Wetlands, these are the nature reserve, its size and the boardwalk; in the reservoir area, they are the marked trails, flora and fauna, and the ruins.

Glens, Coast and Groudle Glen Railway

Three National Glens meet at Whitebridge in Onchan. Port Jack Glen lies in the lower part of Onchan and has two entrances: one at the end of Royal Avenue and one behind the shops in Port Jack. Whitebridge marks the meeting point of three glens; the location and entrances of Port Jack Glen provide useful points of reference.

A path in Groudle Glen leads to the Groudle Glen Railway and the coast, with sea views along the way. The miniature railway opened in 1896 and is now known as the Groudle Glen Railway. Its historic line ran from Lonely Valley (Lhen Coan in Manx) over the headland to the sea lion rocks; the Railway’s route runs from Lonely Valley to the headland and along the coast. The Groudle Glen Railway operates steam, diesel and electric locomotives, including the original 1896 locomotive “Sea Lion”.

History and Local Stories

Onchan Park was registered as a Dark Sky Discovery Site in December 2013. The name Molly Quirk’s Glen comes from an unsubstantiated legend: Molly Quirk is said to have been robbed and murdered there; there is no evidence to support the story. The Lourdes Grotto is behind St Anthony’s Church. It was formerly used for outdoor services and contains a piece of stone from the site of the Lourdes Grotto in France.

Discover more destinations: Ballasalla, Douglas, Andreas, Port Erin, Laxey, St Johns

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