Our partners at Isle of Man TT Breaks have put together a spectator guide the Isle of Man’s world famous TT course | There’s no circuit in the world compares to the famous 37 mile plus Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Mountain Course with its never-ending bends, bumps, jumps, stone walls, manhole covers and telephone poles. Speeds of up to 200mph can leave you breathless and we have put a series of great spots to watch from for visitors new and old. Whatever you choose we’re sure you will have a week to remember!
GET A GRANDSTAND VIEW!
Fanzone seating is available in 3 spectacular locations around the TT course, each offering unrivalled views, dedicated parking, public conveniences and live commentary.
So whether you are seeking a magnificent view of pitlane, or wish to see the top riders fly through the air, push the tires to the limit or entertain you with monster wheelies, we have a seat with your name on it.
GRANDSTAND/NOBLE’S PARK
Great venue for soaking up the TT atmosphere with scoreboards and elevated tiered seating for approx 1,050 spectators. Good views of start and finish with the fastest riders hitting over 160mph as they complete their laps plus the frantic activity of riders making their pitstops. In Noble’s Park the stone wall provides a good low level view of start, finish and riders leaving the pits. You can also get close as the bikes make their way back through the park after finishing.
St NINIANS
Competitors approach down Glencrutchery Road from the Grandstand and become airborne as they pass through the intersection. You can spectate from both sides of the road but viewing is best from St Andrew’s Churchyard or St Ninian’s High School playing fields.
BRAY HILL
Spectacular and very fast, the leading riders only shutting off slightly at the bottom before accelerating down Quarterbridge Road. Lancaster Road, Hildesley Road and Malvern Road offer limited viewing. The bottom of Bray Hill has great views of the riders accelerating away over Ago’s leap.
QUARTERBRIDGE
Quarterbridge is a very popular place. There are two good vantage points here, one directly outside the local pub, the other is the grassy embankment on the corner. Riders can be seen taking the sharp right hand bend and then accelerating away towards Braddan Bridge.
BRADDAN BRIDGE
Braddan Grandstand has seating for approx 400 spectators giving an excellent view of the S-bend, or you can spectate from the Church grounds on the exit of Braddan Bridge. A small charge is made for entrance to both the Grandstand and the Church grounds. There is also limited viewing from the Old Braddan Church yard.
UNION MILLS
Very popular, Union Mills offers three good vantage points. The Railway Inn on the outside of the course has an elevated beer garden which has a great view of the approach. On the inside of the course you can watch from the Church Hall or the Memorial Hall – get there early!
CROSBY VILLAGE
Very fast section of the course leading on from Glen Vine, Crosby is a straight stretch of road which gently rises uphill before dropping down towards the Highlander.
THE HAWTHORN
Another fast section of the course just after Greeba Castle and Greeba Bridge. Viewing is only from The Hawthorn side of the road as you see the competitors exit Greeba Bridge and head on towards Gorselea and Ballacraine.
BALLACRAINE
After a very fast seven miles Ballacraine is a tight right hand corner which takes the competitors on to the Glen Helen section of the course. Best viewing is from the embankment opposite Ballacraine Farm.
CLEN HELEN
Glen Helen has good facilities and is also a radio commentary point. As well as being able to view from the roadside entrance, you can also spectate from behind the small wall up to the wooden fence after which it is clearly marked as a Prohibited Area. You can also climb up into the wooded area above for an elevated view of the action.
CRONK Y VODDY
From Sarah’s Cottage to the Cronk y Voddy crossroads, the land either side of the course is mainly agricultural. You can watch from a number of spots but check with farmers and marshals before making yourself at home. Also remember the local laws and please dispose of any litter responsibly.
BARREGARROW
Spectacular and fast left hand curve at the top of Barregarrow. Get here early if you want to get a good spot to view from. On the inside of the course you can walk down to the bottom of Barregarrow but take note viewing is very limited.
DOUGLAS RD CORNER & THE MITRE HOTEL
From the intersection you can see the approach to the right-hand bend into Kirk Michael. There is viewing from the Mitre Hotel with less visibility but more beer and a great atmosphere, but you must get here before the roads close.
KIRK MICHAEL
There are a few small spots for spectators in the Village itself including Whitehouse Park where there is a small charge on race days. Several side roads offer limited spectating opportunities.
BALLAUGH BRIDGE
After getting airborne over the hump-backed bridge, the riders speed away through the village. Viewing is permitted from behind the barriers at both sides of the intersection. The outside has better visibility while the inside has the Raven Hotel. From the Raven you can watch from the parking lot.
BALLACRYE FANZONE
Just through Ballaugh you will find Ballacrye fanzone which is located on a fast bend heading towards Quarry Bends. Tickets are required for this stand…Just ask Us.
QUARRY BENDS
Spectacular part of the course. Viewing from the Wildlife Park parking lot entrance is limited but very good. Please respect the Prohibited and Restricted Area signs.
SULBY CROSSROADS
At Sulby there’s great high speed action as the bikes tear along the straight! Blink and you’ll miss ’em. No shortage of refreshments here! The Sulby Glen Hotel is a top TT venue with lots of atmosphere, good food and good beer. On the inside of the course hot pies, local pasties and light refreshments are also available from Caley’s store.
SULBY BRIDGE
Competitors approach flat out from Sulby village and brake hard for the tight right hand corner. Excellent views from the grandstand there and St Judes Road on the outside of the course and some parts of the hedge on the approach. Please respect Prohibited areas. On race days there is usually a marquee in the field that backs on to Sulby Bridge serving light refreshments, snacks, sandwiches etc.
GINGER HALL
Very popular spectator venue offering views of the approach from Sulby Bridge around the quick left hander and on towards the Kerrowmoar section of the course.
CHURCHTOWN
Excellent place to watch the racing from. Fast left hand corner, quite bumpy with a fair bit of overtaking. There is a small charge, which goes to a chosen motorcycle charity, for pedestrian access to the fields. From there you are able to take in the action from Churchtown all the way down to Sky Hill. At Milntown there is a limited but spectacular viewing as competitors jump over the Glen Auldyn bridge and immediately have to negotiate a very fast right hand corner.
PARLIAMENT SQUARE, RAMSEY
Parliament Square is a very popular place to spectate with loads of room and good views as the riders brake into the right-hander, accelerate accross the square and sweep out via a fast left-hander.
The square is situated between the 23rd and 24th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course.
CRUICKSHANKS/MAY HILL
This is a superb viewing area. On the outside of the course, Parsonage Road gives a wide view of Cruickshanks and the rise up May Hill. Good viewing on May Hill itself on both the outside, Beaumont Road and Lheaney Road which is just before the left hand corner Whitegates, and inside with a great view from the end of the lane below Glen Elfin Road. Spectators can get to the inside of the course by crossing the footbridge situated in Close Woirrey, close to the old school. It’s possible to get to the playground on the inside of Cruickshanks or back down to Parliament Square.
RAMSEY HAIRPIN
At the hairpin itself there’s another radio commentary point relaying all the excitement as the riders negotiate the bend at the start of their climb up the Mountain. There’s limited spectating from the grassy area on the inside of the bend.
GOOSENECK & GUTHRIES
A very popular vantage point, The Gooseneck is a tight right hander after the climb out of Ramsey. Good view of the competitors approaching from Tower Bends and braking hard for the corner. For those who are feeling energetic you can walk up to Guthrie’s Memorial, an S-bend on the mountain climb which precedes the Mountain Mile. If there’s a lull in the action sit back and take in the glorious views of the north of the Island, across to the Cumbrian coast and Scotland.
BUNGALOW
The view from the Bungalow is one of the longest on the course, all the way from the exit of the Verandah to the entry into Brandywell, some 1.5 miles later. At the Bungalow you can cross the road using the footbridge to get a different perspective. Be prepared to wrap up, it can be quite cold! Please observe any prohibited and restricted areas.
BRANDYWELL
Good views of the riders accelerating up Hailwood Heights from the Bungalow. As the highest part of the course, Brandywell starts the descent of the Mountain section of the course towards the 32nd Milestone and Windy Corner.
KEPPEL GATE & KATE’S
Great views on a spectacular section of the course. At Kepple Gate, view the competitors approaching from the 33rd and negotiating the left hand corner before dropping down to Kate’s Cottage and the famous Creg ny Baa. The action is fast and spectacular.
CREG NY BAA
The Creg ny Baa is a very popular place to watch from. Spectacular action on one of the fastest parts of the course. Please note that there may well be a charge for spectating from the grandstands situated at the Creg. There is an official Fanzone, call us to book tickets.
HILLBERRY
A 200-seat grandstand at Hillberry gives a great view of the competitors coming down from Brandish through the fast right hander and on up to Cronk-ny-Mona. There is a charge to view from the Grandstand during races, a lesser charge for practices. There is also limited viewing from behind the Road Closed barrier on the Little Mill intersection.
SIGNPOST CORNER
Signpost is very popular and the private house owned by the Bullock family is open to the public on race days for a donation to the Helicopter Fund and other race charities. There are good views , from a great position, all the way down to the left hand Bedstead corner.
GOVERNOR’S BRIDGE
Governor’s Bridge is great for photographs as the riders slow right down for the tight right-hander. There was a new viewing area established at Governor’s in 2009. Access to this area will be clearly marked. You can also spectate from the top of Victoria Road as the competitors exit Governor’s Bridge dip.
GLENCRUTCHERRY ROAD
This area is within walking distance of the TT Grandstand. The playing fields next to Police Headquarters are a popular and spacious area to spectate from, with views of the competitors exiting Governor’s Bridge and also the entrance to the pits and grandstand, but please be aware this is a helicopter landing site and access may be limited. You can also watch from the inside of the course at First, Second or Third Avenue.
