Groudle Glen Water Wheel

Little Isabella 1. TownTactics (Atlas Obscura User)

This rustic Victorian waterwheel is situated in the Groudle Glen area of the Isle of Man, just outside the main Capital of Douglas. This water wheel was originally built in 1893 to support the construction of the Manx Electric Railway being built at the time. It was also designed to pump water to the Groudle Hotel and power lights in the area. The wheelhouse was rebuilt in 1954 when the Groudle Glen was attracting tourists due to rumors that the wheelhouse and Groudle Glen area were haunted.

In 1986, the water wheel was featured in an episode of BBC’s Lovejoy series under the fictional name “Little Isabella” and henceforth, the water wheel has lovingly adopted the name.

The Groudle Glen water wheel continued to be a feature for tourists to the Isle of Man, but in October 2002, the water wheel was damaged significantly by storms in the area. It remained damaged for some time, but with the help from the Isle of Man’s Victorian Society, the water wheel has successfully been restored along with the water house, which reopened in October 2020.

Know Before You Go

To get to the Groudle Glen you can either hop off the train line at the Groudle Glen train stop or drive/cycle out to the King Edward Road from Douglas Town to the Groudle Glen area. Turn right at the Groudle right intersection and drive downhill to the Groudle Glen Cottages where there is a small car park. From here, walk up the Groudle river path for approximately 15 minutes until you come across the mill in the center of Groudle Glen.