Perched on Creg Willey’s Hill Sarah’s Cottage stands proudly. It’s more than just a cottage. It’s a piece of Isle of Man history. Sarah Corlett a woman of Cronk Dhoo lived here in the 1890s. She offered refreshments to travelers on the A3 road between Castletown and Ramsey. This was part of “The Long Round” a journey made by horse-drawn carts and later charabancs. Sarah’s Cottage was a welcome stop for weary travelers. School children from Cronk-y-Voddy School the last to teach Manx Gaelic also frequented her cottage. They knew her as Sarah Vilyn meaning “Sarah of the Sweets”.
Sarah’s Cottage is more than just a place for rest and treats. Its location on the A3 road gave it a unique place in motor-sport history. The Glen Helen section of this road including Sarah’s Cottage was part of the St John’s Short Course used for the Isle of Man TT races from 1907 to 1910. It was also part of the Four Inch Course for the RAC Tourist Trophy car races from 1908 to 1922. In 1911 this course became the 37.73-mile Isle of Man TT Mountain Course still used today.
The cottage even played a role in some dramatic moments in TT history. During the 1965 Senior TT race heavy rain caused Giacomo Agostini and then Mike Hailwood to crash at Sarah’s Cottage. Hailwood remarkably restarted his bike and went on to win the race. Sarah’s Cottage has witnessed countless races. It has seen victories and crashes. It’s a silent observer of the thrills and spills of motorcycle racing.
Today Sarah’s Cottage continues to welcome visitors. It’s been lovingly restored. It offers stunning views. It’s a place to remember Sarah Corlett and the rich history of the Isle of Man. The cottage stands as a testament to a time when hospitality and motor racing intertwined. It’s a place where history and the thrill of the TT live side by side. Visit Sarah’s Cottage and experience the magic for yourself.