Silloth on Solway, Cumbria England

Scenic Coastal Resort Town Near the Lake District in Britain

Nov 5, 2007

Silloth England is off the beaten path but offers a championship golf course, hotels and long stretches of sandy beaches. It is a tourist destination worth visting.

Silloth is located 22 miles west of Carlisle on the English side of Solway Firth and looks across to the Galloway coast of Southern Scotland. Its name is derived from the words “sea lathe” which are silos used for grain storage. The Cistercian monks from nearby Holme Cultram Abbey stored their grain in these lathes located at the seaside. The monks started a salt industry and encourage people to build farms on the Solway Marshes.

Silloth Grows into a Town

It wasn’t until the 1850s that Silloth grew from a small village into a town. It had served well as a safe anchorage for ships seeking shelter from storms. Carlisle businessmen saw the potential of this area and brought in a railway and built a port. The Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway was responsible for developing a town. Because it was a “planned community”, all the streets are placed on gridlines and provision was made for green space.

Silloth as a Victorian Seaside Resort

Silloth became a fashionable seaside resort in Victorian times due to promoting it as a healthy place with clean air. There were large hotels built to accommodate the growing number of visitors. The seaside was developed into a full service bathing beach with changing rooms, showers, pools and baths. A Sanitarium was built in 1862 for people requiring recuperation in the famed pure air of Silloth.

Silloth’s Harbour

A pier was built on the West Beach in 1857. Steamboat service was started to Liverpool and Dublin and the Isle of Man. Another dock was opened in 1859. During World War II, the docks were used as a safe harbour for warships. An airfield was opened in 1939 and the hangars are still used today as factories and warehouses. Today, the Carrs Mill stands at the harbour and it supplies flour and animal feed to many locations in the UK. The harbour has moorage for cargo ships that carry grain, fertilizer, cement, pulp and liquid molasses.

What to See and Do in Silloth

Golfing: There is an 18-hole natural links championship golf course which is open all-year round. Guests can play if they are a member of a recognized golf club.
Cycling: The Solway Plain is level so it is perfect and cyclists can follow the Cumbria Cycle Way.
Walking: In addition to the pathways on the Cumbria Coastal Way, visitors can stroll along the seafront promenade.
Birdwatching: The Solway Coast is a haven for birders. Grune Point is one of the best locations for observing seabirds and migratory birds.
Wildlife Observation: The Solway Marshes are noted for their rare plant, bird and animal life. The Solway Coast located near Silloth has been designated an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB) because of its wildlife, dunes and beaches. The Solway Coast Discovery Centre is a starting point for more information on the natural features of the area.
Picnics and Fishing: West Beach has a playground for children and boasts a sandy beach.
Town Activities: At the Silloth town site, there are swimming pools, tennis courts and putting green. You may be lucky and catch one of the many festivals and events.