Nautical Museum - Yn Thie Tashtee Lhuingey : Manx National Heritage

About

Explore Captain George Quayle’s 18th century private dock and boathouse, overlooking the historic Castletown harbour. For more than 200 years the Nautical Museum in Castletown was home to the Peggy, the earliest surviving schooner, and the only surviving shallop.

Visit the ‘Quayle Gallery’ telling more of the personal story of George Quayle and his family as well as that of the Peggy, showcasing previously unseen objects uncovered in the archaeological excavations. Exhibits include a leather pistol holster, a flintlock pistol mechanism, some coconut shell drinking cups and what is believed to be an 18th century microscope.

To visit the Nautical Museum, available as part of our Castletown Heritage Tour (Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am), you can book your tickets online or visit the Castle Rushen Shop

If you would like to visit the Peggy and learn more about her conservation behind the scenes tours take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays at our special unit in Cooil Smithy at the Isle of Man Business Park. To learn more or to book your tickets please click here

Opening Times

2026 Season: Friday 27th March – Sunday 1st November 2026

Open Saturday – Wednesday: 12pm – 4pm; last entry 3.30pm

Admission

Adults £11 – all visitors have the option to make a voluntary donation of £1.50 at point of entry

Students £5.50 (over 18 with a valid Student Card)

Children FREE (children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult)

Multi-site savings available please click HERE for more information

To learn about the Peggy’s maker, Captain Quayle, and hear an update on her conservation story, you can book guided tour of the conservation facility of the Peggy, the world’s oldest schooner by clicking HERE

Join us on a tour of our Castletown Heritage Sites, meeting at the Old Grammar School followed by visiting the Old House of Keys and finishing at the Nautical Museum at either 12pm or 2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the season

For more information or to book your place please click HERE

Your admission:

All admission tickets for the Nautical Museum have the option to make a voluntary donation of £1.50 to Manx National Heritage (Isle of Man registered charity no. 603). This donation directly supports the ongoing conservation and management of the Isle of Man’s most significant historic buildings, landscapes, archives and museum collections. Should you wish to opt out of this voluntary contribution, please inform a member of staff at the ticket desk at the time of purchase.
Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Some special events may incur an additional admission charge.
Student discount is available on production of a valid student card.
Group discounts are available to pre-booked group visitors of 15 or more paying visitors booked 7 days in advance. Find out more.
Holiday and Annual Passes – admission is only permitted on production of a valid card. Cards are valid for the named person and are not transferable. ID may also be requested. Free access is for 14 days from the first day of use on a Holiday Pass and 1 Year from first date of use on an Annual Pass for Isle of Man residents.
Free admission is available to children under 18 years of age, persons accompanying a disabled visitor, GO Explore Heritage and GO Platinum Reserve Passes for use with trams, trains and bus transport and Members of the Friends of Manx National Heritage and organisations holding an agreement with Manx National Heritage. Entry available to the named member only on presentation of a valid membership card. Restrictions may apply. For details on our reciprocal arrangements, please consult your membership handbook.

Things to See and Do

Don’t miss:

Discover the story of Captain George Quayle (1757-1835) and his beloved Peggy, today one of the oldest surviving pleasure yachts in the world
Hear more about the fascinating stories of George Quayle and his family. a prominent Manxman, politician, banker, soldier and inventor during the Napoleonic Wars and at the height of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Captain Quayle is the most documented Manxman of the 18th century
Have fun discovering more about the Georgian era and George Quayle’s many guises
Imagine you’re at sea in the historic cabin room of a naval warship and learn about its secret doors and panels
Climb the stairs to the sailmaker’s loft and examine the tools of the trade