Discover Royal Ramsey

Ramsey is a historic town with fabulous artisan shops, cafes, pubs, shopping, and sightseeing.

Taking position as the second largest town on the Isle of Man. There is a harbour still in daily use and a beach for the sun seekers, as Ramsey boasts the most sunny spot on the island.

Ramsey, the capital of the north, is the main town in the north and is known as the island’s agriculture town. Named by the Norse as ‘Wild Garlic River’ due to settlements nearby where wild garlic grows in abundance.  It also saw the start of many invasions upon its shores. Most notable in 1079 with King Orry and then in 1313 with Robert the Bruce. Being the most convenient harbour to England, Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia. It is also where Fletcher Christian walked from Milntown to offer surrender to the King of England and his Navy.

In 1865, Ramsey became a town and at that time was at the forefront of shipbuilding, being the first shipyard to build an oil tanker known as ‘The Jane’. Within the same year, Ramsey shipyard also built the Euterpe or ‘Star of India’, which today moors at a floating museum in San Diego.

The town is also known as Royal Ramsey due to several royal visits. One in 1847, by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and later in 1907, by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

The Queen’s Pier is currently being lovingly restored.