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Old Grammar School – Yn Chenn Scoill Ghrammeyoys

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Discover the Old Grammar School, an architectural gem overlooking Castletown harbour and the oldest roofed building in the Isle of Man.

Old Grammar School – Yn Chenn Scoill Ghrammeyoys

About

An architectural gem located on Castletown harbour, the Old Grammar School is the oldest roofed building in the Isle of Man dating to the 1200s later converted into a grammar school in the early 18th century. Stand where once the ordinary people of medieval Castletown worshipped and later prominent Manxmen were educated.

This small but architecturally rich building was originally St Mary’s Chapel built around the 1200s. The chapel served the town as it grew around Castle Rushen until around 1710 when Bishop Wilson converted it into a grammar school. The school, open to boys and predominantly only those from wealthy families, ran lessons for nearly two centuries in an area of town then jostling with buildings and winding streets. In 1950 this medieval architectural survivor was saved from demolition as parts of old Castletown were cleared around it.

To visit the Old Grammar School, available as part of our Castletown Heritage Tour (Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12pm), you can book your tickets online or at the Castle Rushen Shop and Nautical Museum.

 

Opening Times

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

Opening Wednesday and Saturday and on selected days in the season.

 

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

Admission

Free to enter, donations welcome. £5 average donation to our Charity

Children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult

 

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:

  • Admission to the Old Grammar School is free, although we suggest a £5 voluntary donation to Manx National Heritage (Isle of Man registered charity no. 603), supporting our charity’s work in caring for the Isle of Man’s most cherished places and spaces, including historic buildings, landscapes, archives and museum collections.
  • 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:

  • See the same arches that the medieval families and stonemasons of Castle Rushen once sang and prayed beneath
  • Sit-up-straight on a Victorian school bench and face the blackboard, slate in hand. Imagine paying attention to teacher within the walls where centuries ago Members of the House of Keys, judges, lawyers and businessmen first learnt to read and write
  • Look out beyond the schoolroom to see out over the harbour as far as Langness lighthouse and Scarlett peninsula

Location

Address: Castle Street, Castletown, IM9 1LE

What Three Words: airfields.imprecise.them

Transport: Buses 1, 2, 2A, 8, 11, 11A. Isle of Man Steam Railway Castletown Stop

Essential Info

Drone Policy: The flying of unauthorised drones is not permitted at The Old Grammar School

Here are some useful FAQ’s

Useful Downloads

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