Where to watch at the Isle of Man TT

As far at the TT is concerned finding a good place to watch the racing is what it’s all about.

Where you choose to set up camp all depends on what you want from the TT.

• Download the spectator guide here

There is the excitement and hair stands up on the back of your neck experiences of Bray Hill, or the scary speeds down Sulby Straight or Cronk Y Voddy.

Up on the mountain there are some lovely places to watch, you can be almost out on your own or in a small group.

The Goosneck is very popular, but it’s a slow speed corner and you can get close to the action.

Alternatively just sit outside one of the many pubs, enjoy a drink or two and enjoy the action. You can’t really go wrong at the TT – but to make sure you don’t: download the circuit guide from this page and ask around as much as you can when you are there.

A few options allow you to move during the race, but it’s best to stick in one spot. Understandably, most people go for the places near watering holes in or near the towns.

The atmosphere is good but with all those people it can be hard to see.  The mountain section is subject to sudden weather changes, and you can often be stuck up there until the roads re-open.

So bring food, drink and warm, dry stuff. You also need a radio (for the commentary). Some less well known options: – the passageway up from the campsite on the right hand side of Sulby kink (before the bridge).

It’s the fastest part of the course. – Ballacrye – a crazy high-speed wheelie past a lonely white house reached by a half mile walk back from the crossroads – Glen Helen – gnarly flick-flack section where riders muscle the bike around.

Nice tea and cakes too. – Quarry Bends – not much to do there, but you see the bikes going really fast round corners for quite a few seconds.

But the TT is not all about watching other people complete the 37.5 mile circuit – you can have a go yourself.

MCN’s Adam Child recommends you: “Do not leave the island without riding the track/road. The mountain section is amazing, its one of the best sections of roads in Europe with an amazing history.”

But avoid the crowds and idiots by doing your laps of the course in early morning or late evening.  

When you are not watching the racing or riding the track, you need somewhere good to stay.

MCN’s Rupert Paul said: “Most of the TT is about having somewhere nice to stay. Being camped next to a bunch of Ogris playing AC/DC at 3am may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

“If you haven’t got somewhere good this year, hunt around for a place you like and book it for next year.

There is also plenty of off-track entertainment.”

• Download the spectator guide here