Nautical Museum

About the museum

The museum occupies the former stable and carriage shed of Bridge House, the home of the Quayle family beside Castletown harbour. Captain George Quayle (1757 to 1835) was a banker, businessman and soldier, and he built the yacht Peggy there, the earliest surviving British schooner and the only surviving shallop of her kind. For more than two hundred years she was kept in the boat cellar, and the building has been run as a museum since the 1950s.

Archaeological excavation of the boatyard has revealed an eighteenth-century private dock, which visitors can look into from a viewing platform. The Peggy herself is now kept in a specialist building elsewhere on the island, where she is being stabilised, conserved and studied.

The displays include the Quayle Gallery on the family and the Peggy, with objects from the excavations, a reconstructed sail loft, a gallery of ship models and nautical items, and a cabin from a historic naval warship fitted with secret doors and panels. The museum is part of the Castletown Heritage Tour run by Manx National Heritage.

Highlights

• Quayle Gallery on Captain George Quayle and the yacht Peggy
• Objects from excavations of the boatyard and the 18th-century private dock
• Cabin from a historic naval warship with secret doors and panels
• Reconstructed sail loft and ship model gallery
• Part of the Castletown Heritage Tour

Permanent exhibitions

• Quayle Gallery – The story of George Quayle and the yacht Peggy, with objects from the archaeological excavation of the boatyard and its 18th-century dock.
• Sail Loft and ship models – A reconstructed sail loft and a gallery of ship models and nautical items on the first floor, plus a warship cabin with secret doors.

Founded

1951

Operated by

Manx National Heritage

Admission & discounts

Adults can add an optional £1.50 voluntary donation at entry. Free entry for Friends of Manx National Heritage members, GO Explore Heritage and GO Platinum Reserve pass holders and a person accompanying a disabled visitor. Holiday and Annual Passes are accepted; they are non-transferable and ID may be requested. Groups of 15 or more paying visitors booked seven days ahead receive a discount. Tickets can be bought online or at the Castle Rushen Shop.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users, through moderate ramps; the first floor and the boat cellar are reached by steep open-riser stairs only. There is a hearing loop at the reception desk and there are no public toilets on site (access guide 2021).

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The Quayle Gallery has an interactive, family-friendly area and a film about the Quayle family and the Peggy. Under 18s are admitted free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is beside the harbour, reached across the Cain Bridge from the town square.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Wi-Fi

Small gift shop. The museum's access guide says free Wi-Fi is available on site; ask staff for the log-in details.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit