Point of Ayre

The Point of Ayre is the northern extremity of the island, a low spit of shingle where the land simply runs out into a fast tidal race, with a lighthouse of 1818 built by Robert Stevenson standing on it in red and white bands. A smaller light stands seaward of it, moved twice as the shingle has extended. Scotland is visible across the water on clear days. There is no shelter and the wind is constant.

Background

In Manx the point is Kione ny Hayrey, and Ayre derives from eyrr, a Norse word for a gravel bank. It marks the far northern end of Ramsey Bay, with the town of Ramsey 10 kilometres to the south, and is reached by the A16 road from Bride. No other spot on the island is closer to Great Britain: Burrow Head in Scotland lies 26 kilometres to the north. Strong offshore currents keep piling up shingle, so the beach takes a new shape with every tide. Gorse and heather around the lighthouse, the oldest on the Isle of Man, run into dunes to the south-west that shelter rare wild flowers within a Manx National Heritage Nature Reserve.

Source: Wikipedia, "Point of Ayre"

The landscape

• The 1818 lighthouse - the Stevenson tower in red and white bands.
• The shingle spit - the low bank of stones the island ends on.
• The tidal race - the fast water running past the point.
• The Scotland view - the Galloway coast visible across the water on clear days.

When to go

April to October is best for conditions. The point is exposed in any weather. Clear days are needed for the view across.

What to expect

There is nothing here but shingle, the lighthouse and the wind. The lighthouse is not open to visitors. Currents offshore are dangerous and swimming is out of the question.

Nearby

The Ayres National Nature Reserve is west, and Ramsey is south.

Key facts