Any person may approach Tynwald Hill on Tynwald Day and present a Petition for Redress. If the Petition is in accordance with the Standing Orders of Tynwald, any Member of Tynwald may subsequently request that Tynwald consider the substance of the petition. Matters are indeed redressed by this simple but ancient procedure which can lead directly to the enactment of legislation.

The Petitions section of the website has links to:

• Guidance for potential petitioners
• Reports on Petitions
• Previous petitions

The Tynwald Honour Medal is awarded by Tynwald to recipients who have made an outstanding contribution to Manx life over a significant period of time and have demonstrated a selfless commitment in doing so.

View all recipients here.

By statute, each Act of Tynwald must be promulgated on Tynwald Hill within eighteen months of enactment or it ceases to have effect. Promulgation of the Acts takes place on Tynwald Day and the promulgation is certified at the sitting of Tynwald at St John's.

Tynwald Day Costs

The Office of the Clerk of Tynwald is responsible for the organisation of the Tynwald Day Ceremony and the associated events connected to the Island's National Day.

The following table gives an unaudited breakdown of costs, from 2013, incurred by the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald relating to the Ceremony itself and the infrastructure surrounding it; the audio/visual provision; the enhancements provided for those attending St John’s on the day and in the evening; the official guests of Tynwald; and separately, the official dinner; and the Tynwald Garden Party.

Other Government departments provide services and support for the Tynwald Day Ceremony and associated events. The costs below relate to those incurred by the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald only. 

Readers should note that in 2020, due to the Covid-19 situation, the Tynwald Day Ceremony took place in a modified form link - press release​ - and there were no enhancements or other associated events that year.

Year	​​ Total	Infrastructure and Ceremonial	Audio Visual Provision	​ Military Support	Enhancements​	​Official Guests	​ Official Dinner	Tynwald Garden Party
2025	185,068.72	72,944.53	35,934.00	19,984.25	24,483.34	11,069.74	8,091.77	12,561.09
2024	179,608.72	76,882.12	34,440.00	16,172.00	21,513.14	11,482.28	7,367.49	11,751.69
2023	174,875.88	71,900.31	34,390.00	13,560.71	23,512.53	12,214.29	7,794.21	11,503.83
​2022	169,11​5.83	​70,334.14	​34,400.00	​13,473.25	​21,433.66	​9,567.21	​7,246.33	​12,​661.24
​2021	​​177,413.05​	​83,594.79​​	​33,390.00	​18,507.16​	​15,181.48​	​5,101.69	​9,516.76	​12,121.17
​2020	41,193.21	16,677.75	24,615.46​	​	​	​	​	​
​2019	165,595.71​	​68,629.44	​20,267.12	15,458.81	​22,837.38​	​16,992.07	​10,320.54	​11,090.35
​2018	​154,609.99​	​72,695.33	​19,695.00	​13,236.25	​22,052.64	​5,971.48	​11,600.80	​9,358​.49
2017​	​157,557.82	​67,034.34	​30,510.39	​12,975.95	​22,107.03	​7,756.60	​8,892.82	​8,280.69
​2016	170,024.74​	​67,649.81	​34,436.29	​14,088.30	​21,992.00	​8,118.27	​8,687.04	​15,053.03
2015​	178,740.78​	​74,743.67	​35,766.10	​15,136.74	​17,870.66	​10,360.13	​10,011.73	​14,851.75
2014​	​187,482.55	​78,318.53	​34,714​.45​​	​22,358.66	​16,080.09	​12,261.47	​13,141.18	​10,608.17
​2013	179,959.63​	​70,414.96	​33,320.92	​21,924.52	​19,579.70	​7,860.63	​12,603.38	​14​,255.52

  ​​​​​

Introduction

The observer at St. John's on 5th July, the Manx National Day, watches a ceremony which has continued unchanged, except in detail, for more than 1,000 years. The annual outdoor sittings of Tynwald, the Manx Parliament, date back to the Viking settlements which began in the eighth century of the first millennium AD. No other parliament in the world has such a long unbroken record.
After a religious service in the Royal Chapel, the Members of Tynwald process to Tynwald Hill, one of the ancient open air sites of Tynwald. Following the proceedings on Tynwald Hill, presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, the members of Tynwald return to the Royal Chapel where a formal sitting of Tynwald takes place.

This guide is provided to assist those attending Tynwald Day as a visitor or an invited guest.

A printed Tynwald Day Programme of events on the day is available, please contact the Office in advance should you require a large print version or an electronic version. Braille is not available.

                                                                        Clerk of Tynwald’s Office
                                                                                                                                Finch Road, Douglas, IM1 3PW
enquiries@tynwald.org.im
www.tynwald.org.im
01 July 2023

General Access

The Tynwald Ceremony and associated events are held in the areas marked on the map. In general access is flat and accessible for wheelchairs/pushchairs however, access to most sites will require moving over grass or pathways on natural ground and these may be uneven.

Areas across the site can become very crowded during the day.

Access to all sites from the car parks are on closed roads and pavements. Temporary pavement ramps are put in place to assist with level access.

Drop kerbs can be found by the traffic lights in front of Bunscoill Ghaelgagh (Manx language primary school), outside the entrance to Culture Vannin, next to the bus shelter and on Station Road by the side access to Greens Cafe.

Some roads open later in the day and yellow barriers are used to aid movement.

Help and Assistance / Visitor Information

The Tynwald Information Hut is located at Stand 1 of the Back Fairfield. Should you require any assistance or have any queries on the day about the Ceremony, one of our team will be happy to assist.

This is also the location for lost property or to report any incident. Access to the Tynwald Day Co-Ordinator can also be made through this information point.

Site Locations

Getting to St. John’s/ Pre-Arrival

By public transport

Tynwald Day can be accessed via bus to the St. John’s stop. Due to road closures, please note that the last departures to serve the St. John’s stop before the Ceremony are the 0922 departure from Dougla​s, Lord Street and the 0920 departure from Peel Town Hall.
Full details can be found at https://www.iombusandrail.im/

By car

The Tynwald Day Ceremony is located in St. John’s village which is accessible by car. Please note that if you are arriving to St. John’s by car that road closures will be in place from 10am.
The electric charging point in the Arboretum car park will not be available during road closures and ceremony times. The closest electric charging point will be at Tynwald Mills.
Please adhere to any road closure signs and follow instructions from traffic management on the day; all personnel will be recognisable with hi-vis or a Police uniform. Driving on closed roads can invalidate your insurance policy.

Parking Free parking is available at St John’s. Please obey all traffic restrictions and follow all directions given by the Scouts who assist with traffic management on the day.
The Arboretum car park is not accessible from 8am until 2pm on Tynwald Day.

 Blue Badge holders wishing to attend Tynwald Day may reserve a parking pass entitling them to a reserved space at the Old Farmers Arms car park (also known as the Old Railway Line car park). For enquiries, telephone 685500.
Please be advised that both the Blue Badge and the numbered orange reserved parking passes should be displayed in car windows at all times to assist those directing traffic.
For any enquiries, please email enquiries@tynwald.org.im or call us on 685500.

Public Toilets
There are accessible, male and female public toilets located throughout St. John’s and the Tynwald Day ceremony site.
Temporary portaloos are put in pace to support the public toilet blocks. All toilets have a sink and hand washing facilities.

Portaloos have non-slip flooring and motion activated taps.

Accessible toilets are located on the Main Road and portaloos across the site including in the Blue Badge car park area. All accessible toilets include grab rails and red alarm cords.
Baby changing facilities are only available in the accessible toilets.

All toilet facilities are marked on the site map below

• 

Royal Chapel

The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, The Royal Chapel, was built in 1849 and is constructed from local granite and marble.  Tynwald Day Ushers will be at each entrance to assist with any queries.

Access to the Chapel is via a marked path which slopes from the Robing Room and the Lych Gate to the doors of the Chapel. The Ceremony dictates the entrance and exit for participants. The entrance to the Chapel will be via the South Door, which has two stone steps. The exit from the Chapel will be via the West Door which has four steps. A manual ramp can be put in place for anybody who has indicated a mobility requirement in advance.

During the Tynwald Day Ceremony, the Royal Chapel is accessible to ticket holders only. Tynwald Day Ushers will open all doors and assist any guests accessing the Chapel. The lighting levels in the building are low.  Tynwald Day Ushers will direct everyone to their seats can assist anyone to help find a specific seat once inside the building. Seating is in traditional church pews on the ground floor and in the gallery. There is space at the back of the Chapel for anybody who has indicated a mobility requirement in advance. The gallery can only be accessed by steep steps with a wall and railings for support.
A printed Order of Service will be available on all seats, please contact the Office in advance should you require a large print version or an electronic version. Braille is not available.
Please be advised that there is no hearing loop in the Chapel.

Outdoor Areas

General

The Tynwald Ceremony and associated events are held in the areas marked on the map. Excluding the Chapel, all locations are outside and require access via natural ground and may be uneven.

There is flat, level access throughout the site, however some pathways and access are via grassy areas. There is more than one entrance to access all locations and signs are provided for routes that are more accessible.

Accessible Viewing of the Ceremony

The Front Green provides ground-level grass accessible viewing area. There are raised sides along the Processional Way which will limit the view for anyone with a height restriction.

Ticketed grandstand seating is available. Seating is bench style in the Grandstand area, which is accessible to ticket holders only. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or at the Information Hut on the day, prior to 10.15am. Ushers are available on-site to help visitors on and off the Grandstand if required.
A raised Accessible Viewing Platform is provided for customers with limited mobility or who are wheelchair users. The viewing platform is accessed by a ramp.  Assistance negotiating the slope is available from the Usher at the viewing platform, please ask.
The Grandstand remains in place all day but access is restricted for health and safety.

Audio and Visual

The Tynwald Ceremony is streamed to a large screen visible from the Grandstand. Live subtitles will be visible atop the streamed visuals.
Live commentators will be broadcast across a PA system across the Front Green.
There are live bands throughout the Tynwald Ceremony including a military band. There is no hearing loop available for any of the commentary for participants speaking in the Tynwald Ceremony.

First Aid

The St. John Ambulance first aid tent will be located on the back Fairfield, behind the Chapel.

Food and Drink

There are vendors across St. John’s selling food and drink, stallholders must provide relevant allergy information.
Food and drink can be consumed across all locations and people are welcome to bring their own food for picnic style dining.
Please be mindful and dispose of any rubbish in bins provided around the site, or take home.

Other Locations

Arboretum

The Viking Village can be found in the Cooil-y-Ree gardens, located next to Tynwald Hill. The main entrance has a lot of steps down into the park, but the west gate offers an accessible route down to the gardens. Food and Drink

Front Green

Areas on the Front Green are cordoned off with white rope to signify areas that are used for the Tynwald Ceremony. These are removed after the Ceremony.
Excluding restricted areas, during and after the Ceremony, people are welcome to use this area to watch proceedings for free and are welcome to bring folding chairs.

Little Green

The Tynwaldfest Marquee will be located on the Little Green. The Marquee is white fabric with plastic windows. The flooring inside the marquee is level and boarded.

After the Ceremony, live music will be played, sometimes at a high level. The scheduling of events is available from a printed leaflet available from the information hut or online –

There is no hearing loop available in the Tynwald Fest marquee.
Outside the Tynwald Fest marquee there will be a limited number of deckchairs available. Inside bench style seating is provided along with some plastic chairs.

Seating

Public benches are available around the site.
Paid seating in the Grandstand is available.

Water Stations

Free water refill stations are available behind the Chapel and at the Tynwaldfest Marquee.

Other locations in St. John’s offering free water refills are;

• Culture Vannin
• Greens Café
• The Neb Café  (Tynwald Mills)
• Thie Slieau Whallian (DEFA)

Each year in early July, Tynwald meets in the open air to promulgate new laws and receive petitions for redress. This is a tradition that reflects Tynwald's Viking origins.

Watch highlights from previous Tynwald Ceremonies on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tynwaldparliamentIOM

This short film by Culture Vannin​ looks at the Tynwald Day Ceremony:

https://vimeo.com/157610686

Tynwald Day 2025 - Culture and Tradition

Tynwald Day 2024 - From the hills and moors, to shining shores - celebrate our Island

Tynwald Day 2023 - Welcome, Welcome to this Hill

Tynwald Day 2022 - Tradition, community and celebration

Tynwald Day 2021 - The Princess Royal to preside over Tynwald

Tynwald Day 2020 - Tynwald Day Your Way

Tynwald Day 2019 - Celebrate our Manx National Day at St Johns

Tynwald Day 2018 - The Island’s National Day

Tynwald Day 2017 - Ceremony and celebration

Tynwald Day 2016 - The 600th anniversary of the passing of the Customary Laws Act in 1417, the very first written Act of Tynwald.

Tynwald Day 2015 - Celebrating 65 years of the Women’s Institute in the Isle of Man

Tynwald Day 2014 - Vikings to set up camp for Tynwald Day

Tynwald Day 2013 - Tynwald Day getting to the ‘art’ of the matter

Tynwald Day 2012 - Ceremony, celebration… and circus for Tynwald Day