Nautical Museum
A Castletown museum built around the Peggy, an armed yacht of 1789 walled up for a century.
Updated 2 September 2026
The Nautical Museum occupies the boathouse and quarters of George Quayle, a Manx banker and smuggler, and its centrepiece is the Peggy, an armed schooner-rigged yacht built around 1789 that was sealed into its rock-cut boat cellar after his death and rediscovered there in 1935, having survived untouched. The vessel was removed in 2015 for a long conservation programme, and the museum's opening has been affected by that work ever since.
What's there
- The Peggy - an armed yacht of around 1789, walled into its cellar for a century.
- The boat cellar - the rock-cut chamber the vessel was sealed into.
- The Quayle rooms - the cabin room and quarters of the banker who built her.
- The conservation project - the long programme the vessel was removed for.
When to go
April to October is the usual season for Manx National Heritage sites. Opening has been irregular during the Peggy conservation work. Check before travelling.
Things to know
The Peggy has been off site for conservation since 2015 and may not be on display. The museum's opening has been irregular for years as a result. It is small and an hour is enough.
Nearby
Castle Rushen is a short walk away, and St Michael's Isle is southeast.
What to pack for Nautical Museum
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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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
