Maughold Village and Head
A churchyard holding a major collection of carved crosses, above a lighthouse headland.
Updated 2 September 2026
Maughold churchyard holds the largest single collection of carved stones on the island, over forty crosses and slabs from the Celtic and Norse periods gathered into a shelter beside the church, including work with runic inscriptions and interlace. The site was an early monastic settlement and the enclosure walls survive in part. Maughold Head runs out beyond the village to a lighthouse of 1914 with seabird cliffs below it.
Highlights
- The cross collection - over forty carved stones from the Celtic and Norse periods.
- The runic inscriptions - Norse carving among the slabs in the shelter.
- The monastic enclosure - surviving stretches of the early settlement boundary.
- Maughold Head - the headland with its 1914 lighthouse and seabird cliffs.
When to go
April to October is best for the head and the seabirds, which are on the cliffs from April to July. The churchyard is open year round. Winds on the head are constant.
What to expect
The cross shelter is sometimes locked outside the season. The headland path is exposed with unfenced drops. There is no interpretation of any depth at the site.
Nearby
Cashtal yn Ard is west, and Ramsey is north.
What to pack for Maughold Village and Head
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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