Silloth
Encyclopedia
Silloth is a port town and civil parish
in Cumbria
, England. It sits on the shoreline of the Solway Firth
, 22 miles (35.4 km) west of Carlisle. It has a population of 2,932.
Historically
a part of Cumberland
, the town is a small holiday resort, developed in the 1860s around the terminus of a railway from Carlisle which had begun construction in 1855. For the first time, workers from the factories of Carlisle were presented with affordable access to the seaside and the town flourished as a destination for day trippers. After its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Silloth slipped into unfashionable disrepair, however recent years have seen a great deal of development with many of the sea facing properties having received long overdue facelifts. The main central attraction is a large expansive green that is utilised throughout the year to host various events and activities.
run by Associated British Ports that handles dry bulks, bagged agribulks, timber and liquid bulks. Silloth is also the location of the Carr's
flour mill
which supplies flour to likes of United Biscuits
, Warburton's bread and several other leading bakeries and confectioners.
Farming of livestock, mainly sheep, beef and dairy cattle, takes up most of the surrounding landscape, closely followed by the massive upsurge in static and touring caravan parks. Many small businesses can also be found located on the former Second World War
airfield and associated buildings.
Silloth also plays host to several small annual events held on the town green. These include a beer festival
held in September, its steam rally, kite and food festivals. By far the town's largest annual event is Solfest
http://www.solwayfestival.co.uk. The Solway Music Festival (Solfest) is Cumbria's biggest four day live music festival with a maximum attendance in 2008. Situated just outside the town, Solfest has been running since 2004 and now regularly attracts crowds of over 10,000 every August bank holiday weekend, with its eclectic mix of music, site art and cabaret performers and the friendly atmosphere which resulted in it rocketing the town firmly back into national awareness by winning the "Best Family Friendly Festival" award in the 2007 UK Festival Awards (the only Cumbrian festival ever to win an award). Solfest has also been credited by Cumbria Tourist Board for introducing a younger generation of tourists to Silloth and in doing so has greatly boosted the future of tourism in the town. Amenities include a championship golf course ranked amongst the country's top fifty courses, several hotels and bed and breakfasts, public houses, tea rooms and eateries.
Silloth also prides itself in its coastline along the Solway Firth which has been described in one of the country's leading sea fishing publications, Total Sea Angling, as having the best flatfish fishing coastline in the country, with over 20 miles (32.2 km) of beach and promenade to choose from. Bait and equipment are also available locally. Wind and kite surfing are also popular along the coast at Allonby
, 8 miles (13 km) from Silloth town centre.
and Abbeytown
to Carlisle
. The railway provided quick access to the town for tourists, but was closed as part of the Beeching cuts
in 1964.
and the town of Wigton
, 12 miles (19 km) away. The B5300 connects the town to Maryport
, 13 miles (21 km) away.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, England. It sits on the shoreline of the Solway Firth
Solway Firth
The Solway Firth is a firth that forms part of the border between England and Scotland, between Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway. It stretches from St Bees Head, just south of Whitehaven in Cumbria, to the Mull of Galloway, on the western end of Dumfries and Galloway. The Isle of Man is also very...
, 22 miles (35.4 km) west of Carlisle. It has a population of 2,932.
Historically
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
a part of Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, the town is a small holiday resort, developed in the 1860s around the terminus of a railway from Carlisle which had begun construction in 1855. For the first time, workers from the factories of Carlisle were presented with affordable access to the seaside and the town flourished as a destination for day trippers. After its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Silloth slipped into unfashionable disrepair, however recent years have seen a great deal of development with many of the sea facing properties having received long overdue facelifts. The main central attraction is a large expansive green that is utilised throughout the year to host various events and activities.
Churches
Silloth's largest church is Christ Church, which is situated on Criffel Street and was completed in 1870. Several other churches and chapels of various denominations are also located within the town or its outskirts.Industry
Silloth has a small portPort
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
run by Associated British Ports that handles dry bulks, bagged agribulks, timber and liquid bulks. Silloth is also the location of the Carr's
Carr's
Carr's is the name of foodstuff and agricultural brands historically derived from founder Jonathan Dodgson Carr but now owned and marketed by more than one separate company. In 1831, Carr formed a small bakery and biscuit factory in the English city of Carlisle; he received a royal warrant in 1841...
flour mill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
which supplies flour to likes of United Biscuits
United Biscuits
__FORCETOC__United Biscuits is a British multinational food manufacturer, makers of the BN biscuits, McVitie's biscuits, KP Nuts, Hula Hoops, The Real McCoy's crisps, Phileas Fogg snacks, Jacob's Cream Crackers, and Twiglets...
, Warburton's bread and several other leading bakeries and confectioners.
Farming of livestock, mainly sheep, beef and dairy cattle, takes up most of the surrounding landscape, closely followed by the massive upsurge in static and touring caravan parks. Many small businesses can also be found located on the former Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
airfield and associated buildings.
Tourism
Tourism is a major economic player in Silloth, with dozens of large and small static and touring caravan parks located within a ten mile (16 km) radius of the town centre. This is responsible for the tremendous growth in the population on most days throughout the summer months. Although a couple of these parks are somewhat self contained they still rely heavily on the town for support and infrastructure such as post office, doctor's surgery, chemist, newsagent's, mini supermarkets, hardware, spares and consumables, cafes, chip shops, sandwich bars and pubs.Silloth also plays host to several small annual events held on the town green. These include a beer festival
Beer festival
A Beer Festival is an organised event during which a variety of beers are available for tasting and purchase. Beer festivals are held in a number of countries...
held in September, its steam rally, kite and food festivals. By far the town's largest annual event is Solfest
Solfest
Solfest is a Cumbrian arts organisation which runs an annual music festival held near to Silloth in Cumbria, England. It is held annually at Tarnside Farm on the August Bank Holiday weekend.- Solway Festival :...
http://www.solwayfestival.co.uk. The Solway Music Festival (Solfest) is Cumbria's biggest four day live music festival with a maximum attendance in 2008. Situated just outside the town, Solfest has been running since 2004 and now regularly attracts crowds of over 10,000 every August bank holiday weekend, with its eclectic mix of music, site art and cabaret performers and the friendly atmosphere which resulted in it rocketing the town firmly back into national awareness by winning the "Best Family Friendly Festival" award in the 2007 UK Festival Awards (the only Cumbrian festival ever to win an award). Solfest has also been credited by Cumbria Tourist Board for introducing a younger generation of tourists to Silloth and in doing so has greatly boosted the future of tourism in the town. Amenities include a championship golf course ranked amongst the country's top fifty courses, several hotels and bed and breakfasts, public houses, tea rooms and eateries.
Silloth also prides itself in its coastline along the Solway Firth which has been described in one of the country's leading sea fishing publications, Total Sea Angling, as having the best flatfish fishing coastline in the country, with over 20 miles (32.2 km) of beach and promenade to choose from. Bait and equipment are also available locally. Wind and kite surfing are also popular along the coast at Allonby
Allonby
Allonby is a village on the coast of the Allerdale district in Cumbria, England. The village is on the B5300 road five miles north of Maryport and eight miles south of Silloth....
, 8 miles (13 km) from Silloth town centre.
Railway
The railway came to Silloth in 1856, passing through the villages of KirkbrideKirkbride, Cumbria
Kirkbride, Cumbria is a village in Cumbria in the north of England. Significant elements of ancient history are close to Kirkbride including the Kirkbride Roman fort and Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian's Wall in this western reach and the Kirkbride fort were predominantly of turf and timber construction...
and Abbeytown
Abbeytown
Abbeytown, also known as Holme Abbey, is a village in Cumbria, England. It was built around the former Cistercian Holmcultram Abbey, the nave of the church of which now serves the parish as St. Mary's Church...
to Carlisle
Carlisle railway station
Carlisle railway station, also known as Carlisle Citadel station, is a railway station whichserves the Cumbrian City of Carlisle, England, and is a major station on the West Coast Main Line, lying south of Glasgow Central, and north of London Euston...
. The railway provided quick access to the town for tourists, but was closed as part of the Beeching cuts
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
in 1964.
Road
Silloth is on the B5302 road, which leads to the A596A596 road
The A596 is a primary route in Cumbria, in northern England, that runs between Thursby and Workington. For its entirety the A596 parallels the A595, and meets the A595 at both ends. The A596 begins its course at a roundabout junction with the A595 at Thursby, before continuing past the towns of...
and the town of Wigton
Wigton
Wigton is a small market town and civil parish outside the Lake District, in the administrative county of Cumbria in England, and traditionally in Cumberland. It is the bustling and thriving centre of the Solway Plain, situated between the Caldbeck Fells and the Solway coast...
, 12 miles (19 km) away. The B5300 connects the town to Maryport
Maryport
Maryport is a town and civil parish within the Allerdale borough of Cumbria, England, in the historic county of Cumberland. It is located on the A596 road north of Workington, and is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth. Maryport railway station is on the Cumbrian Coast Line. The town is in...
, 13 miles (21 km) away.