Ok guys we have decided that next year we are heading to the TT. I have a few questions for anyone who goes regularly or is perhaps heading there this year if you don't mind. Getting there: Now I know as much as that you need to call up 'steam packet' early on a specific date to get your crossings at a good time or else your left with the dregs and bumped onto a ferry that can be at any time that may not suit you or the racing for that matter. 1: What I don't know, especially if like me coming from the North of Scotland is where the ferries leave from, or even if there is only 1 main crossing that heads that way? Could we also find out where the nearest ferry port would be for deep southerners as a helpful note. 2: What would be the best days to try and get crossings for there and back, so that we made sure we didn't miss anything, and also can still get in to the digs before the roads were shut off? Or is this even an issue? Accommodation: Now this can be a bit of a nightmare I've heard, and hopefully with a little insight from those who head over regularly can point in the right direction for anywhere reliable to stay for the weeks racing. Hopefully we can make this into a decent thread for others to look over for information, because as it stands it seems very complicated for what should be an easy trip to make, and 1 I cannot wait for. Thanks in advance.
Hi Colin, Plenty of useful info here TT Info - The official Isle of Man TT website Sailings are from Heysham (near Lancaster) or Liverpool. Sailings go on sale a year in advance and get booked up very quick. You might get lucky and get a cancellation - keep checking the website. Accomodation is limited - the B&Bs and Hotels get booked up early and people tend to go back to the same place every year. The other options are camping or homestay (where you stay in someones house). Hope the RB is going well! Cheers, Ian.
I've only been once so sure people will know more, I travelled from heysham but I'm sure there are other Pitts, we went on the Saturday in the middle and came back a week on Monday , basically there for race week, roads only close in the evening on practice week and then from approx 9/10am on race days. We stayed in a bungalow via the homestay scheme and couldn't fault it, cooked breakfast every morning but need to book very early ie: a year in advance! One of the best weeks I've ever had!
You can pm me your number and I will try and answer most things ,have missed twice since 1990 due to a calcanium fracture on sticks for 7 months Going over this year with bobby McMullen he's from your way paisley ,he raced there at the tt in 2011 in the newcomers I think he done a 1 17 average not bad eh for your first time
Thanks Ian The RB is going well mate, though I'll probably sell it during the summer months as I have another project that will need the cash. (Planning on building a house). Quite fancy the home stay option. Does anyone have a link to this?
Info here Travel, Accommodation and Camping - The official Isle of Man TT website Homestay team at Regency Travel on 01624 694456 or email [email protected] It will be a shame to sell the RB - they seem to be fetching good money at the moment though!
Colin, As a regular, and going with a group who come from. Glasgow, Hull, Northampton and London. The closest port to Scotland is. Heysham, near Morecambe. Phone up as soon as you can once the TT starts to get a provisional date and time, and pay a deposit. Think it was £40 per person this year. From Heysham though is the slow boat, Ben My Chree (4 hours travel time - smoking allowed top deck). From Liverpool is the Mannanan, the fast boat (2 hours - no smoking). This year it was £242 each. Accomodation, if you don't mind camping, the cheapest way the are loads of campsites. Best we have been in is. St George's right next to the. Grandstand. Great location, but very popular. The one at Quarterbridge Rugby Club is ok too, but is inside the circuit so you have to be up and out before road closes. If you can afford it you could get a Homestay, and basically rent a whole house for all of you. We are in a B&B this year as I am taking my wife this time. Place is right behind the. Grandstand and is about £35 per person per night. Quite good as we will still see the guys camping next door, and handy for merchant etc, and the pubs on the front. If you need to know anything else, gimme a shout.
I know mate every time I go to take pictures to sell it after I wash and wax it, I end up not doing it Thanks for the help mate.
Well said raster 100% agree to all !rugby club ain't as good as George's stopped at both! band b this year first time age I guess but about 20 lads at rugby club
The last couple of years we have been there for the end of practice week. Previous to that we have went on Mad Sunday a couple of times. And before that, on the Saturday of the first races. This year the wife and I are going on the Tuesday of practice week until mad Sunday. First few years we were there for 5 days. The last 3 times there it has been 7 or 8 days. I should have said, we all just meet at Heysham and go on the same sailing. Some obviously have to leave earlier than others. One of them is a 78 year old who rides an SP1 Last year the only sailing we could get over was from Liverpool on the fast boat though. But sailed back to Heysham. Should also say that one guy books the ferries. Just usually books about ten places. Total doesn't need to be paid until January and if you cancel even a couple of places you get your deposit back. I wouldn't leave it to every individual booking their own, as you will all end up on different sailings.
We are planning to be there for the 7-8 days. So we'll probably just do the Saturday to Sunday. By the looks of it I'll probably just book the spaces needed for the trip. Thanks again
Sailings with steam packet for 2015 will be available from the 26th may 2014. Best to get in early and get the dates you want. I'm going alone this year and am camping at st George's which is beside the grandstand, unfortunately I missed the sailing dates I wanted and don't return home until the Monday after race week. Those, sailing and accommodation, are the two main things to get booked straight away. Other than that get plenty of spending (fuel) money put to one side and enjoy.
What day are youn going Glynn ? We are staying just behind the grandstand. Can pm you my mobile and meet up with you there if you want.
Talking about fuel ^^^ take a bit of extra cash petrol on the island is dearer than mainland and it miraculously goes up in price the weekend b4 TT fortnight ??!!
