Island with 'best beach in the world' less than an hour from UK
A small yet enchanting island, home to what's been dubbed the "best beach in the world", is less than an hour from the UK by plane. The Isle of Man sits in the Irish Sea, nestled between Great Britain and Ireland. Despite its modest size - approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles wide - it boasts a diverse landscape of rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and sandy beaches.
Impressively, the island's coastline spans 99 miles, offering a plethora of stunning beaches for visitors to explore. Douglas, the capital city, is home to one of the most frequented beaches, featuring a broad expanse of golden sand and nearby amenities including watersports facilities, cafes, and restaurants.
Further afield, Port Erin Beach nestles within a quaint seaside village. Garnering a 4.8 out of five rating on Google, some reviewers have hailed it as the 'best beach in the world', reports the Liverpool Echo. Port Erin also hosts Scoops, an ice cream parlour serving award-winning Davison's Ice Cream, and La Gusto Pizza, known for its hand-stretched Italian pizzas and calzones.
Beyond its array of beautiful beaches, the Isle of Man is graced with several waterfalls. Dhoon Glen Waterfall, located on the island's east coast, is a popular natural attraction, cascading down a wooded glen in multiple tiers.
The Isle of Man's enchanting beauty is perfectly embodied by the Fairy Bridge on the A5 between Ballasalla and Newtown. As per local Manx folklore, this bridge is home to the island's fairies, and it's deemed unlucky not to acknowledge them.
There are other must-see attractions on the Isle of Man too, such as the Laxey Wheel, the world's largest operational waterwheel, and the Snaefell Mountain Railway, which transports visitors to the summit of Snaefell, the island's highest peak.
However, the Isle of Man is perhaps best known for its thrilling TT motorcycle races, drawing thousands of spectators from across the globe. The TT is a series of motorcycle races, with the Senior TT being the main event.
The Senior TT is the concluding race of the event, covering a gruelling 226.38 miles on the challenging Snaefell Mountain Course. Since the inaugural Isle of Man TT in 1907, it has created legendary moments that have become part of motorcycling history.
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