Offering an abundance of natural beauty and a slower pace of life, the charming and vibrant Isle of Man is the perfect place to soak up some wellness this winter. From relaxing in saunas and hiking along mythical trails to practicing mindfulness and enjoying some dark sky stargazing, the official birthplace of Pilates has plenty to offer wellness and fitness enthusiasts, writes Lily Smith
Situated amidst the Irish Sea, wedged perfectly between England and Northern Ireland, the small and unassuming Isle of Man is perhaps most famous for its annual TT motorcycle race, which sees bikers tearing around the island as tens of thousands of spectators watch from the sidelines. However, once the races are over and the crowds have vacated, the island reveals its hidden side as a restorative fitness and wellness destination.
Whether you’re enjoying brunch by the coast, hiking along trails sprinkled with local legends or unwinding in a beachside sauna, this charming little island offers a deeply mindful and sumptuously slow pace of life. Last winter, I was lucky enough to experience this for myself with a long weekend of yoga, mindful walking, Pilates, stargazing and more.
Mythology and mindfulness
As soon as you touch down on the Isle of Man, the laid-back way of life and traces of magical mythology hasten to welcome you. While being driven to our home from home for the weekend – The Mill House, which regularly hosts wellness retreats and astrology events – we were perplexed when our driver greeted the fairies in Manx as we drove over an unassuming bridge. This was, we soon learned, a widely observed ritual upheld by the locals – because, according to legend, the fairies will bestow bad luck upon anyone who fails to greet them. As we ended up crossing this bridge several times per day during our trip, we quickly cottoned on and saying ‘hello fairies’ soon became second nature.
Our weekend itinerary was filled to the brim with activities designed to help us pause and slow down as we integrated into life on the island. First up was a guided walking meditation with Mike Kewley, a local mindfulness teacher, TEDx speaker, author and the eldest son of meditation master Dhammachariya Pannadipa. Unlike traditional seated meditation practices, this session saw us walking through a secluded and peaceful plantation in South Barrule as slowly as we physically could, deeply immersing our senses into our surroundings while focusing on rolling through the whole foot with every step. Mike’s deep wisdom and understanding of the human mind was fascinating and the session really helped me to slow down, arrive in the present moment and feel both feet land fully on the Isle of Man.
Pilates, breathwork and beachside saunas
The island’s love for wellbeing is evident in the presence of modern Pilates studios, nourishing restaurants and quirky beachside saunas. During our trip, we were joined by Kate Bergquist, owner and founder of Soul Adventures, a company committed to providing soulful and exhilarating adventures on the Isle of Man. First, Kate guided us through a relaxing breathwork and movement session before we all ventured out for an evening of hot and cold therapy at Kishtey Cheh in Port Erin, a wild beach spa-experience complete with a wood-fired sauna, hot tub and cold plunge pools.
While we could’ve started with the plunge pools, we chose to go one step further by stoically striding straight into the Irish Sea. Using the relaxation techniques Kate taught us earlier in the day, we willed ourselves to keep breathing deeply while mindfully observing the electrifying sensations. I’ve done my fair share of ice baths and sea dips before, but never in the pitch dark with a blanket of stars and full moon overhead. After hastily making our way back up the beach, we all huddled into the wood-fired sauna’s welcoming embrace to warm up our shivering muscles, before undergoing a few more rounds of hot and cold therapy with the plunge pools and hot tub.
Before heading to bed that evening, Kate guided us through a relaxing yin yoga session to stretch out our muscles and quieten our minds. Somewhat reminiscent of cold-water immersion, yin yoga is all about finding your edge and learning to sit with sensation. Holding deep stretches for up to five minutes at a time, it’s a beautiful practice for quietening your mind while releasing any tightness in your body. Safe to say, I slept very well that night.
Alongside Kate’s yoga and breathwork classes, we also enjoyed a mindful yet strengthening Pilates class with Kasey at Reform Wellness Studio. It’s no surprise that Pilates is big on the Isle of Man – after all, Joseph Pilates developed his world-renowned fitness method here while held at the Knockaloe Internment Camp during World War I. If you’re a Pilates fan, the Isle of Man should definitely be on your travel list.
Walking trails and hiking adventures
With stunning coastlines, dramatic cliffs and mythical trails inspired by local folklore, the island is filled with myriad walking routes for all abilities. If you enjoy trekking and solving riddles – and a spot of healthy rivalry – you’ll love IOM Quest: a mixture of hiking and treasure hunting, these competitive monthly quests see you teaming up with friends and family (or perhaps some new acquaintances) before following themed clues that will guide you to checkpoints around the island on a challenging yet hugely rewarding 15km expedition.
Racing against other competing teams (sometimes, quite literally when you catch sight of another team just up ahead of you), there are also special missions to complete, such as taking a photo of your entire team doing a Pilates move after finally reaching the summit. Designed to show you some of the most breathtaking scenery and ancient ruins found throughout the island, you’ll be learning all about the Isle of Man from a group of locals who are evidently passionate about their home – all while getting your daily steps and cardio in. Oh, and did I mention the winning team gets a cash prize?
Fuel up at traditional pubs and modern cafes
Perfect for gourmet foodies and fitness fuellers alike, the Isle of Man is home to a real mixture of dining experiences – from traditional pubs and to modern vegan cafes. One thing they all have in common, however, is their unwavering focus on using fresh and local produce. Some of my favourite meals included a gut-loving plant-based tasting dinner at VIBE, a locally-produced three-course meal at The Cosy Nook – a converted fisherman’s cottage dating back to the 1800s – and a hearty brunch at Noa, a local bakery and coffee roastery.
We also tasted the island’s national dish, Manx Queenies, a type of delicate scallop exclusive to the surrounding waters of the Isle of Man. I am, self-admittedly, a squeamish wuss when it comes to seafood and unsurprisingly wasn’t a fan – however, the rest of my group heralded them as utterly delicious, so I encourage you to listen to their verdict, not mine!
Witness the Isle Of Man’s starry skies
Another big draw on the Isle of Man is stargazing. Home to a whopping 26 official dark sky discovery sites (darkskydiscovery.org.uk) – the highest concentration in the British Isles – the island allows for spectacular views of constellations scarcely seen around the UK – especially in big cities, where light pollution is rife.
We were lucky enough to be given a tour of the night sky by renowned astronomer Howard Parkin MBE, who pointed out the radiant stars and planets before giving a stirring presentation on the ever-increasing problem of light pollution and how it is not only impacting humans, but also disrupting wildlife’s natural patterns. It was an eye-opening experience that has stayed with me long after returning home – and has forever changed the way I see 24/7 streetlamps and store lights.
I went into this trip not knowing anything about the Isle of Man and left with a profound admiration for the slower pace of life, the respect for nature and the deep focus on daily wellbeing. Whether you’re longing to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life or craving some fresh air and adventure this winter, the island’s magical walking trails, Pilates expertise, nourishing restaurants and beachside saunas could be just what you’ve been looking for. Plus, with flights taking just over an hour from London – or 30 minutes from Liverpool – a free weekend is all you need.
Find out more and plan your trip at visitisleofman.com
Words: Lily Smith. Photography: Visit Isle Of Man.
