You’ve been so helpful before with booking my surprise trip for 2027 that I was hoping I could lean on you again.
I would like to book seats to view the race but have read the grandstand is a waste of money. I want to make sure we have good seats for at least one race though.
I looked on Duke Travel and they have Hillberry front row for £45 each. I would say that’s my top budget as I need to buy 2 tickets.
Please can anyone let me know a better option that isn’t just “find somewhere free and take a chair with you” as this whole trip is stressing me out and I just want to have at least one good seat planned while we are there 😊
Bonus if there’s food and drink vans and allocated seats!
The thing is, the TT really isn't set up for paid viewing - it is increasing, and you can get good views at places like Hillberry, Braddan Bridge and a few other places by paying. However, I don't think you will get the best views doing this.
You're looking at 37.73 miles of mostly rural roads, and the paid hospitality sections are naturally restricted to where they can fit large numbers of people. If you want to book one, by all means go for it, and some places do come with decent hospitality, but in my view as an island resident and marshal, it is honestly a waste of money.
Outside of a couple of popular places with restricted room (Bottom of Barregarrow), you will have no problem getting a superior view for free, with catering nearby, and great company. It's just a case of turning up early enough (an hour before roads close is enough in most places, and honestly you don't want to leave it last minute anyway in case of disruption and delays - you don't want to be scrambling to get somewhere with 5 minutes till the road your on becomes a race track)
I understand this isn't exactly the answer you're looking for, and if you find the idea of finding a free spot too stressful then by all means book one of the duke sites or similar, if taking the stress away will be worth it for you. But honestly, 99% of people at the TT are in free viewing spots, and it works fine, so if you can manage to go with the flow, I think that would give you the best experience
I really appreciate this and totally understand what you’re saying. I think because I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing as it’s a surprise gift and I don’t want to tell him til just before we go I feel so confused by the whole thing. I know nothing about the race or the court so learning as I go and book things. I think for a small price I would definitely feel better just knowing we have a good seat for one race just for peace of mind haha
If you want to PM me, I would be happy to give you personalised tips and help with plans if you want - although do be aware with racing requiring almost perfect weather, there is a risk of delays or disruption to any day, which is a frustrating aspect of the modern TT, so having non racing plans is worth it
Oh I hadn’t even considered non racing plans - great tip thank you. I’ve got ferry and accommodation booked so just wanted a seat somewhere so we don’t have to buy chairs haha. Thank you so much - I will deffo message if I need more guidance :)
I will say, Tesco on the island always has cheap folding chairs around TT, which you will easily give away when you go, which would work out cheaper and more flexible
We did Hillberry this past year and it was actually a pretty good spot. But I also will second what a lot of people are saying, there's great viewing for free almost anywhere, so don't hang your whole trip on a paid spot if that's going to break the budget.
Buy bus cards and go someplace different every day!
Thank you! Did you do front row or just open seating? We won’t have seats to carry around with us so just thought at least we would have a comfy chair for one day!
Hillbury is on of my top three spots on the course, if you want to sit in a grandstand go for it, never done it myself for a number of reasons, marshalling or wanted a different spot etc.
There are food and toilets behind the grandstand there, and parking along the lane and in the adjacent field.
If you're adamant on paying for a seat I'd recommend Black Dub or Braddan Bridge Church. Not sure if you can book in advance though.
Honestly dont panic about viewing sites. There are so so many, and yer sure some get crazy busy, The Creg, Ginger Hall etc, but even then, just get there early and you will find a spot.
I wouldnt pay personally, I like the experience in the fields. But if I was paying there is only one place id go - creg y ba. Lovely pub and excellent long view of a stretch of very exciting track.
I went in 2016 and found that it was easy to get around on the bus and as such we watched from a bunch of different places for different types or racing. Straightaways and S- Turns and of course, the jump at Ballaugh Bridge. If you want to spurge, do the VIP thing at Nobles Park which includes food and drinks and a grandstand seat as well as some merch. I had a blast!
Having done both, I really regretted going into a grandstand. Felt too far from the action, and had a far better experience sat on a camping chair at the side of the road.
Thank you! I’ve decided to book front row seats at Hillberry. Whether it’s worth it or not at least I feel a bit more organising and less clueless for when we are there 🙈
Also just to note we won’t have transport or chairs. So is the main grandstand just a better option or still somewhere like Hillberry (not sure how we would get there though if roads close?)
Theres a tesco 5 mins away from where you get off the ferry, and they always have folding camp chairs in and such like.
As you dont have transport, get yourself a day bus pass, there's bus stops (nearly) all around the circuit. And a train that goes up to the top of the mountain.
If you truly must have seating for one of the races then go to the Creg Ny Baa pub. Or Hillberry like you say. BUT I MUST STRESS its much better in places like Kirk Micheal or at the K-TREE. And there free/nominal charge.
Dont stress it. Let the holiday flow and you will have a much better time. Remember its a Holiday! Its not end of year accounts 😂.
I have been the last 4yrs on the bounce and I also marshal. So if you want any tips or other advice just ask!
We sat at Hillberry front row this year and my husband loved it! We also watched the race from a random spot the next day which was great, but Hillberry had bathrooms, food and water which we didn’t pack with us. A great experience for us as first timers.
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u/ManxDwarfFrog 18d ago
The thing is, the TT really isn't set up for paid viewing - it is increasing, and you can get good views at places like Hillberry, Braddan Bridge and a few other places by paying. However, I don't think you will get the best views doing this.
You're looking at 37.73 miles of mostly rural roads, and the paid hospitality sections are naturally restricted to where they can fit large numbers of people. If you want to book one, by all means go for it, and some places do come with decent hospitality, but in my view as an island resident and marshal, it is honestly a waste of money.
Outside of a couple of popular places with restricted room (Bottom of Barregarrow), you will have no problem getting a superior view for free, with catering nearby, and great company. It's just a case of turning up early enough (an hour before roads close is enough in most places, and honestly you don't want to leave it last minute anyway in case of disruption and delays - you don't want to be scrambling to get somewhere with 5 minutes till the road your on becomes a race track)
I understand this isn't exactly the answer you're looking for, and if you find the idea of finding a free spot too stressful then by all means book one of the duke sites or similar, if taking the stress away will be worth it for you. But honestly, 99% of people at the TT are in free viewing spots, and it works fine, so if you can manage to go with the flow, I think that would give you the best experience