Old Onchan Picture Gallery 2

Howstrake Holiday Camp

This view is taken at the Howstrake Holiday Camp which in 1897 became the first holiday camp in Britain. It was established by Joseph Cunningham who used to bring groups of underprivileged lads from Liverpool to Laxey on holiday.

Seeing a potential for cheap holidays he took the lease of Lagbirragh Park overlooking Groudle and set up his village of bell tents around a group of corrugated iron buildings housing kitchen and other facilities.

In 1903 a mid season storm saw no fewer than 65 tents being destroyed. The following year Mr Cunningham moved his camp to Little Switzerland in Douglas.

This photograph was taken by Canon Stenning of King Williams College and is presumably of the O.T.C. at camp.

Prev | Home | Next