Island Escapes has secured a five year contract to provide management and marketing services for holiday accommodation owned by Manx National Heritage.
Manx National Heritage (MNH) currently has three self-catering holiday properties; a hostel style bunkhouse on the Calf of Man, a luxury thatched cottage in the north of the Island and a lovingly refurbished farmhouse on the west coast at Eary Cushlin.
The new partnership comes at a time when Manx National Heritage is looking to further develop its holiday accommodation offer on the Island. Working with Island Escapes will ensure this expansion is fully-supported by first-rate management services.
Director of Island Escapes John Keggin said, “We always aim to provide a bespoke service for all our owners, and this partnership is no different; we are delighted to be supporting Manx National Heritage with caring for their unique properties and look forward to providing an excellent service for the guests that choose to stay in them”.
Director of Manx National Heritage Edmund Southworth said, “As we look to expand our small portfolio of holiday cottages, we are pleased to have secured the back-up of an established and professional, Island-based agency with a strong track record in this business.”
Edmund continued, “Manx National Heritage is a charity that receives some of its funding from the Isle of Man Government and also raises its own income through trading operations and fundraising. Several of our properties are not suitable to be operated as museums or visitor attractions so using them as holiday lets enables them to be brought into sustainable use, provides some income for reinvestment in our estate and services and helps to support the Island’s growing visitor economy”.
The MNH properties now being supported by Island Escapes include:
Full of charm and character, you can look forward to a cosy stay in our traditionally thatched one bedroom Manx cottage. With minimal light pollution this cosy 4 star cottage on the Island’s north coast offers the ideal retreat for stargazers to watch shooting stars, meteor showers and even spot the Northern Lights. A registered historic building, Yn Thie Thooit offers guests an unforgettable luxury retreat.
Hidden on the rugged western coastline just beneath Cronk ny Arrey Laa, sits the former home of eccentric recluse, Colby Cubbon, who purchased the property hoping to escape the German bombing raids – ironically, one of only two German bombs that fell on the Island, landed just mere metres away from the farmhouse.
Refurbished by Manx National Heritage to 4 star Gold award standard, the farmhouse, sleeping up to 9, now offers a unique holiday destination for families, friends and small groups looking for an adventurous rural getaway with modern comforts.
The journey to The Calf is by boat from Port Erin or Port St Mary where upon arrival you will be welcomed by the local wildlife, from playful porpoises and seals to nesting sea birds and if you’re lucky you might even spot the elusive basking shark.
For nine months of the year, two wardens are the only inhabitants of the island. Working as Estate Wardens they assist in running the Bird Observatory, repairing dry stone walls, shepherding the livestock, monitoring the wildlife population and welcoming guests staying in the Observatory.
Self-catering bunkhouse style accommodation is available on the Calf for up to 8 visitors, comprising of 2 bunk rooms which each sleep two guests and one bunk room which sleeps four.
Eary Cushlin and Yn-Thie-Thooit are now open for bookings with bookings being opened for the Calf of Man observatory in the new year.
