Nautical Museum
Nautical Museum
4
About
The Nautical Museum in Castletown is home to one of the world's oldest yachts - the Peggy - which was found in 1935 concealed in a contemporary boat cellar. The Peggy had lain undisturbed and undiscovered for 100 years after her owner, Captain George Quayle, died.Visit this impressive yacht in its original home where you'll find trap doors, secret panels and a replica stern cabin in the boathouse. In the loft, you'll find a reconstruction of a sail maker's workshop and a fishing gallery which includes models of boats, equipment and photographs depicting the importance of the fishing industry.You'll also hear about the exploits of Captain Quayle and his fascinating life as a politician, a banker, soldier and, it's alleged, a smuggler! Find out more about the Peggy on the National Historic Ships Register. Please note: Extensive archaeological investigations have been completed in the boatyard yielding new information on the Peggy story and revealing an 18th century private dock. The Peggy has temporarily been removed to a specialist building for a long-term programme of stabilisation, conservation and study. This is likely to take place over a 5 year period.
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles124 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
44
Average
16
Poor
8
Terrible
1

Caroline C
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
We visited the Nautical Museum as the last stop on a Tuesday tour of the Old Grammar School and The Old House of Keys. I only went on the tour to find out about the Old House of Keys and nearly left the tour before the Nautical Museum, however it turned out to be the best bit of the tour!! The thing that made it come alive was our tour guide Rew. He was so knowledgeable and really great at telling a story. He turned what would have been a very dull and dry museum into a fascinating, quirky and vital piece of history. Even my two teenage daughters loved the stories! I will remember that for a long time! Thanks Rew!
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elaine C
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Don't miss the tour! It's on every Saturday and includes here, Castle Rushen and the Old Grammar School. We missed it and were kindly given a private and highly entertaining tour by Andrew who possesses a wealth of knowledge about this building, If I had wandered around this boathouse and simply read about the late Captain George Quayle and his boat, 'Peggy' I believe I would have been unimpressed. Andrew, our guide, however, entertained us constantly by revealing the total eccentricities of the Captain in a room which Andrew called 'the man cave'. It will spoil all your fun to reveal the secrets which this room holds all of which were deftly demonstrated by Andrew who really knows his stuff. Don't miss this fascinating tour whilst in Castletown. Its a must.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Krabate
133 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Very nice guided tour. We got a lot of informations about captian Quayle and his boat, nice display. We love the back of the boat house and man cave ;).
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PBPG
Yorkshire, UK6,010 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
The museum tells the life of George Quayle who was the original Elon Musk given the number of things he did, including building his yacht and a hidden dock for it. Interesting building and displays
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gaz O
Rhyl, UK496 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Family
We visited this place back in april when we visited the island then, but my daughter wasnt with us. This time with the family complete, Andrew welcomed us and let us have a look around to start with then gave us a tour into the Cabin room, showed us the secret passages and really did bring it to life.
The 1st time we went it was great, but with Andrew it was 100 times better, we must have been there 4 times as long as last time and were so impressed and learnt so much.
What a hidden gem this place is
Written 1 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

normanandmarilyn
Caldicot, UK150 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
This a must visit museum in Castletown which is primarily dedicated to the amazing Captain Quayle
His man cave at the back of the Boat house is absolutely incredible
He also used to travel across to Liverpool on a tiny sailing boat
A REAL Character
Written 16 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Clivel_98
Hereford, UK1,494 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019 • Couples
This small museum revolves around George Quayle and his family, as well as his boat, “Peggy”. At the moment, Peggy is undergoing conservation, so is not there. However, there is still plenty to see - and you do need the guided tour to hear about the hidden bits, such as the safe, where the illicit booze was hidden and how George could completely seal the room off by exiting through a secret place.

Well worth visiting.
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Geoff R
Stafford, UK377 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
This museum largely focusses on George Quayle and his exploits. The 'Peggy', his boat is currently being worked on so is not there, but there are still some interesting exhibits and bits of information about history. Worth a visit if you are in Castletown and free to National Trust members.
Written 9 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

I&C
33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
We went back to this museum 3 times to gain as much insight as possible and to read all that we could of the maritime history of the IoM, and the genius of the late Captain George Quayle, who once lived here.
The museum's curator and archivist, Andrew, was superbly knowledgeable and passionate about Capt Quayle, and the whole museum. Andrew gave us a fascinating guided tour of the Captain's rooms, and allowed us to achieve tiny glimpse of the man behind the history here, and his boat "The Peggy", currently being conserved.

Free entry to IoM Heritage members or UK Natinal Trust.
Very well worth a visit
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve M
London, UK517 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Couples
The displays were very interesting, as was the unusual boathouse both inside and outside. But the centrepiece - the "Peggy" - is being restored. In conversation with the guide, he said that there was no date set for her return and it was all down to finance. (So maybe the message is to donate to the Manx National Heritage!)
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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