Walk up the Promenade to the junction with Church Road and in the grass on your left is the upright standing stone inscribed “LAWN FALCON’S NEST” that marked the original boundary for the Port Erin Castle Hotel. ‘4 noble Dining-rooms, with bay widows, and spacious Bedrooms’. The Falcon’s Nest/Port Erin Castle Hotel was erected by Mr R. Holme designed Port Erin Castle Hotel in 1857 – the year that he died. Liverpool based architect, son of a Liverpool builder and brother to the Mayor of Liverpool, Arthur Holme, designed several churches in Liverpool as well The former Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool Prison and collaborating on Lime Street Station. St Catherine’s Terrace, the terrace of fisherman’s cottages on Shore Road, was paid for by William Milner and let to working people. Catherine’s church in was erected around 1879 in memory of Milner’s wife Jane, with money from his will. Milner’s Tower is a local landmark and commemorated by a coin design 2004-2016. The tower is thought to be built in the shape of a key as tribute to the safe maker. In 1871 a tower was erected by local people high on Bradda Head to commemorate Milner’s heritage. He was responsible for building the first hotel, Falcon’s Nest, and his own private residence “the Rest”. He gave money towards the building of the Dandy Hill Methodist Chapel. Destroyed by storms in 1884, only visible at low water now. He was one of the main instigators in a campaign to build a breakwater across the bay which was very vulnerable to storms.
![milner safe history milner safe history](https://paladinsafeservices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/20170411_182611Watermarked.jpg)
He became known as ‘ the godfather of Port Erin’. William Milner was a significant benefactor to the people of Port Erin setting up charities to help the poverty stricken fishermen. Sources Cooinaghtyn Manninagh Manx Reminiscences, Dr John Clague, 2005 Breakwater, Manx Postcards, 1907 – Manx Notebook Port Erin Methodist Chapel – Manx Notebook Land owned by Milner, Walking trails in Port Erin, Gov.im William Milner was the chief man in the cause. 1864 – The foundation-stone of the Breakwater at Port Erin was laid about the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four.
![milner safe history milner safe history](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/165034539379_/Antique-MILNERS-212-PATENT-Luxury-Fireproof-Safe-Fully.jpg)
1863 – The Port Erin Breakwater Railway and saw the first steam locomotive used on the Isle of Man.Hoped to provide shelter and anchorage for 1,000 vessels. 1855 – Plans to build a breakwater began.
MILNER SAFE HISTORY SERIES
It was part of a series of improvements for which Tynwald borrowed money from Westminster against future revenues of the Island. He was a key player in the planning the high profile Port Erin built breakwater across the bay. He owned land in Port Erin, and had his house ‘The Rest’ built next to the Queen’s Arms/Falcon’s Nest and was responsible for the building of Port Erin Castle Hotel. He began spending more and more time here to recuperate after illness and eventually retired on the Island. William Milner was a wealthy safe-maker from Liverpool who took his summer holidays, with his family, in Port Erin.
![milner safe history milner safe history](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/57/67/41/576741ec5ce15793af6f2ebc403b7724--auction.jpg)
Sources Pigot’s Directory, 1837 – Manx Notebook Pigot & Slater’s Directory, 1843 – Manx Notebook Old Inns and Coffee-Houses of the Isle of Man, Neil Mathieson – Manx Notebook Clugston family tree Ann Clugston’s will, 1896 Leech’s Guide, 1861 – Manx Notebook Leech’s guide of 1861 records Falcon’s Nest, and Port Erin Castle Hotel, Mrs.1858 – Queen’s Arms changed it’s name to The Falcon’s Nest.1851 – Ann Clugston is recorded as running the Queens Arms Inn.1837 – Patrick Cringle recorded as Landlord (and keeper of post horses) of the only inn in Port Erin – the ‘comfortable’ White Lion.“If Wm Clugstone Junior during my life time join the football game he is to be deprived of my property that I have left him in my will. There is a wonderful sting in the last line of her will, where she expresses her hatred of football: She was one of the oldest living people on the Isle of man, surviving many of the Falcon’s Nest’s future landlords. Anne Clugston (born Anne Garne) ran the Queen’s Arms – the original inn which predated the Castle Hotel and Falcon’s Nest Hotel.