Manx National Heritage has announced it will open more of its sites for longer throughout the rest of the summer.

The history charity started to re-open its key sites and open some of its seasonal sites in mid-June, initially at reduced hours and days.

All eight of the larger MNH sites have been open for part of the week since July 4, with something available every day of the week and all of these sites open at weekends.

During July, attendance levels have been monitored including times of visits and feedback from visitors to help assess the best opening pattern for the rest of the sseason.

The full opening schedule from Saturday August 1 to November 1 features an increase to seven day a week opening from 10am to 4pm of the Manx Museum and House of Manannan.

In addition, Castle Rushen and the Laxey Wheel will open five days a week from Saturday to Wednesday, also 10am to 4pm.

Peel Castle, The Grove and Rushen Abbey continue to open Thursday to Sunday from 11am to 3pm.

Castletown Site Tours are offered weekly on Mondays with guided visits of the Nautical Museum, Old Grammar School and a sitting of the Old House of Keys included.

Free bookable weekly guided visits to see the Peggy yacht in her conservation facility near Douglas are also available on Tuesdays from August 11.

Cregneash is hosting a variety of craft workshops weekly on Wednesdays with special guided site visits twice a day on Thursdays and Fridays and including tea and cake in the café afterwards. Cregneash cafe will be open 10am to 4pm from Wednesday to Saturday.

With the Manx Museum returning to daily opening, the Library will revert to opening Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4pm starting next Wednesday 5th August.

The Bay Room Cafe in the Manx Museum will be open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

MNH director Edmund Southworth said: ’Thanks to the flexibility of our visitor service teams, we are now able to open our two largest and most visited sites, the Manx Museum and House of Manannan on a daily basis through until November 1.

’We’ve also been able to open the other nine sites on a regular basis some with tour based offers and others for general visits. This season will be unlike any other and most of our sites are very quiet at the moment but we want to help our local community.

’We know that the last few months have been very difficult and stressful so this is a great opportunity for families to enjoy our amazing heritage and our amazing landscape.’

Admission charges at MNH sites have been reduced to reflect the lower VAT rate of 5% and validity of the MNH annual passes has been extended for the period of the site closures (three months).

New annual passes purchased this season are valid through to the end of the 2021 Season and with the VAT reduction as well and cost £22. Children and students are admitted free of charge to all MNH sites.