It’s home to one of the most famous and deadly motorcycle races around the world, and the Isle of Man will be the star of Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum‘s upcoming docuseries about the TTs, which start next week.
But there’s much more to the British island than just this daredevil competition, according to writer, photographer and adventure group leader Andy North.
For his new book, Wild Guide: Isle of Man, available to buy now, Andy travelled the length and breadth of the island to photograph its ‘wilder side’.
He says the Isle of Man is ‘unique in the variety of landscapes and wild spaces that it manages to fit into its landmass of 572km2’.
And that’s shown by the fact it was named one of the 25 best places to travel in 2025 by the BBC.
Andy adds: ‘This small island set in the middle of the Irish Sea, has mostly forgotten mass tourism and is the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of modern-day life.
‘Forget the chaotic pace of urban living with its traffic jams and embrace the national slogan “Traady Liooar”, which means “there is time enough”.’
Here, Andy reveals some of his favourite hidden gems and secret beaches from across the island, through stunning photography…
CRONK NY ARREY LAA QUARRY: Known as the ‘Hill of the Rising Dawn’, the unique carnivorous sundew plant grows on the boggy slopes of this hill. You will also find a sheltered quarry on its slopes, with stunning views
CAIN’S STRAND BEACH: There are beautiful red slabs of sandstone, a stream and a gorgeous sculptural cave to explore down at this cove. Plus fishing off the rocks and sometimes seals and dolphins to be spotted
LAXEY OUTER HARBOUR: It’s well worth walking up and around the Laxey Valley to take in the views out to sea and across the bay, then climbing down some ancient steps to reach the outer harbour. It’s a very peaceful spot, with good sea fishing from the back of the breakwater
BALLACUBERAGH POOL: A lovely long, deep pool, sheltered under trees in the Sulby River, just where it sweeps sharply east on its journey to the sea. There is a lay-by on the road nearby. At the bend in the river, as it begins to flow east, you will see a gap in the bank and a short, steep path down to the river
SAND DRAGON BEACH, GLEN MAYE: This rock formation is in a beautiful secret cove surrounded by very strange rock formations, one of which looks like a burrowing dragon
PORT SKILLIAN: Watch for friendly seals and a community of cold-water swimmers at the Port Skillian cove if you’re ever spending a weekend in Douglas and Onchan
PORT SKILLIAN: From here, you can wander along the coast to the Sea Lion Café and jump into the deep pool from the cliff above
FENELLA BEACH: One side of St Patrick’s causeway is sand and white shells that create the turquoise water of Fenella Beach, whilst the other side forms the harbour
FENELLA SHELL COVE: Just a 100m swim or snorkel to the left of the main beach is this little cove which is all crushed shells. At mid- and low tide, the beach and rock formations form a lovely sun trap away from the main beach
THE PUDDLE COVE: The pebble beach at the end of the island’s only stream is a legendary place for sea glass hunters. From Cow Harbour, follow the path towards the south harbour past the warden’s cottage for 2.5km, until you cross the stream and then follow it down to the sea
NIARBYL ISLAND: Niarbyl gets its name, ‘The Tail’, from this thin string of rocks that forms an island at high tide. It can be reached on foot at low to mid tide and has a unique cave and gully dissecting it, which will take some courage to step over if you wish to continue over to the next segment of the island
TECTONIC RIFT, NIARBYL: Although not quite as impressive as the Icelandic version, this rift between the ancient North American tectonic plate and the Avalonian Eurasian plate meets in the cliff just above the beach to the north of the thatched cottages. You can put a foot on each continent here
LITTLE SOUND COVES: There are two coves here: one with steps down to an old ladder, offering good jumping and swimming potential at high water. The other lies to the south down a seam of pure white quartz, which leads to a tiny, secluded cove where seals can be viewed
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .