The Grove Museum of Victorian Life tells the story of the Gibb family and their Victorian summer retreat, which later became their permanent residence and family home. Beautifully preserved to provide an intriguing insight into life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, a visit to the house, outbuildings and country garden is like stepping back in time.

Things to see and do:

• Listen to the story of the ‘Gibbs of the Grove’.
• Explore the sumptuous rooms throughout the house.
• See stunning Victorian furniture, fashion and fineries.
• Learn about the life of a scullery maid.
• Ring the servant bells and listen to their many tones.
• Watch the bees making honey.
• Discover early farm equipment including a horse drawn threshing mill.
• Explore the small wood and gardens.
• Play croquet on the lawn.
• Feed the ducks and count the flock of Manx loghtan sheep.
• Enjoy a picnic in the gardens or sumptuous Manx specialities in the Conservatory Restaurant.
• Buy memorabilia of your visit in the Grove Museum shop.

Information for Disabled Visitors:

Disabled car parking available. Drop off arrangements can be made for the Museum and Conservatory Restaurant. The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair with assistance as the surface is gravel or cobble. Wheelchair users are able to access the ground floor of the house through the back entrance with assistance. Upper floor access unavailable for wheelchair users, however, a guide can provide descriptions of rooms. Staff receive some disability awareness training. The nearest wheelchair accessible toilet facilities are in Mooragh Park in Ramsey. Guided tours can be arranged for visually impaired and blind visitors and large format information about the site can be provided. It is the policy of Manx National Heritage to admit the assistant or carer of a disabled person free of charge. Registered assistance dogs are welcomed.

How to get there:

• By foot and road: situated on the A9 Andreas Road, signposted in Ramsey.
• Manx Electric Railway: Manx Electric Railway to Ramsey.
• By bus: 3, 3A, 18, 20, 20A - from Ramsey Station.
• Parking: car parking available with blue badge parking.

Opening Times 2012:

Low Season - 31st March to 31st May and 1st September to 4th November, 10am to 4pm

High Season - 1st June to 31st August, 10am to 5pm

Admission Charges 2012: £2.25 Children (under 18 years) and Students, £4.50 Adults, £11 Family (2 adults and 2 children).

Free admission is available to holders of a valid Season Pass, 10 Day Heritage Explorer Pass, ACE cardholders and reciprocal agreement members.

Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more people, with the greatest savings available to pre-booked groups. For further details, please click here.

Nearest Story of Mann attraction: The Great Laxey Wheel and Mines Trail, Laxey

Other attractions nearby: The Mooragh Park in Ramsey, Milntown House in Lezayre

Whilst planning your journey around our beautiful Island, you will find our Visitor Information page useful when planning visits to the Isle of Man's amazing museums, interpretive centres and historic sites. Alternatively, you can click here to watch a short film on the Story of Mann.

Additional Information

The Grove House near Ramsey was developed in the mid 19th century by Duncan Gibb, a Liverpool shipping merchant, as a summer retreat for himself and his family. This modest sized Victorian villa presents a series of period rooms containing mostly original furnishings and fittings, a costume room, and general displays which include the accumulated possessions of three generations. At the rear, the complex of outbuildings would have mainly served the substantial adjoining farmland and contains early vehicles and agricultural equipment including a restored horse-powered threshing mill.

The existence of the Grove today owes much to the desire of Duncan Gibb’s granddaughters, the Misses Janet and Alice Gibb, that their lovingly preserved legacy be maintained as a period museum after their demise.

Find out more about the Grove in our Site Guide, available at the Manx Museum and The Grove Museum Heritage Shops.