Douglas Bay Horse Tramway

Horses have pulled trams along the Douglas seafront since 1876, and the line still runs the length of the promenade between the sea terminal and Derby Castle, where it meets the electric railway to Ramsey. It is generally described as the oldest horse tramway still operating anywhere. The cars are Victorian, the horses work short shifts and are retired to a home at Richmond Hill, and the whole thing survives because the island decided repeatedly not to close it.

What you actually see

• The Victorian cars - the original tramcars still in service on the promenade.
• The horses - the working teams, on short shifts with a retirement home inland.
• The promenade route - the run between the sea terminal and Derby Castle.
• The connection - the interchange with the electric railway at the northern end.

When to go

May to September is the operating season. It does not run in winter. Services are more frequent in high summer.

Honest expectations

It runs only in the summer months and the timetable is thin outside July and August. The route is short and duplicated by a five-minute walk. Track relaying work has closed sections in recent years.

Nearby

Douglas Head is south, and the Manx Electric Railway starts at the northern end.