Silloth

Cyclists

Image ©Cycling For Health Day, photo by Rose Wolfe

Silloth was a planned town built in the 1850's around the new deepwater port. You will notice the wide tree-lined streets and the extensive sea front green, with magnificent promenade stretching back to Skinburness. Don't rush through Silloth. It has a memorable end of the road and edge of the land feel, and it's certainly not on the road to anywhere, so it might be a while before you come again. Its name derives from the "Lathes" or barns which were used to store grain and were located close to the sea, thus "sea lathes". The great English singer Kathleen Ferrier, for whom Benjamin Britten wrote several works, moved to Silloth back in 1936, when the town was booming. 

 

Solway Coast

Places of interest

Solway Coast Discovery Centre, Liddell St, CA7 4DD (016973 31944). Film tour - shows coastal highlights. There are also frequent temporary exhibitions. 2006 marked the 40th anniversary of the Solway Coast being designated an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the Discovery Centre helps bring this to life with a fascinating montage of how the area developed from the Ice Age through to modern times. Lots of interesting facts about the Viking settlements here and the plethora of Viking place names. For further information on the area, contact The Solway Coast AONB Management, Liddell St, Silloth, CA7 4DD. 016973 33055, www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk. Also well worth a visit is the Roman Garden, on the 'Banks' at Bowness on Solway, created and looked after by a community group.

Discovery exhibition

Discover Centre exhibition: copyright Brian Irving.

The Solway Coast AONB was designated in 1964 and covers 44 square miles (115 sq km) of the Cumbrian coastline between Rockcliffe and Maryport. It is one of 37 AONBs in England, which, like the National Parks, are protected as our finest landscapes. Find out more about cycling in Cumbria: www.cyclingcumbria.co.uk Should you wish to spend more time exploring the Solway coast, take a look at the website www.hadrian-guide.co.uk for five wonderful cycle loops.

Solway Sunset

Places to eat

Cups & Saucers Farm Tea Shop, Seaville Farm, Silloth, CA7 4PT Run by: Kathleen Hughes. Good spot to stop for a well-earned break. Open fire and even a hot tub. Mid-way between Abbey Town and Silloth. 01697 361256 www.croftlandscourt.co.uk.


Accommodation
West View Guest House, 9 Station Rd, Silloth CA7 4AE

Spacious en-suite rooms, cycle storage, free parking on road outside and bang on the route. 

Run by: Eileen & John Slack

 

016973 31449
www.westviewguesthouse.co.uk

Rooms : 3T. Rate: £22.50 bed only; £25 B&B. £10 single occupancy supplement.
Evening meal : no - pubs and hotels nearby
Pk lunch : on request.
 


From now on the route diverts inland in order to avoid at least some of the rather fast coastal road, which we rejoin just north of Allonby. Intead of heading right onto the B5300 you carry straight on to the crossroads at Balladoyle, where you head right, passing The Gincase. If you do opt to take the B5300, take great care as it is a fast and narrow road with little or no verge. There are plans to have a cycle track and our website www.hadrian-route.co.uk will let you know when this project comes to fruition. The Gincase, with its Farmhouse Tearoom, is an ideal stop-off, with a fine range of home baking and local produce. Serves morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea which - weather permitting - you can enjoy in the orchard. There's a Craft Barn and a Gallery of local art, plus a farm park for the kids. The Gincase, Mawbray Hayrigg, Silloth, CA7 4LL. 016973 32020. www.gincase.co.uk. Bank Mill Nurseries, Beckfoot, Silloth, CA7 4LF (01900 881340 www.bankmillnurseries.co.uk). It is on the B5300 just north of Mawbray and has a coffee shop, which does coffees, homemade soups, paninis and big breakfast baguettes, cakes and pastries, scones and sinful rum butter. There's also a fully licensed bistro open daily (except Mon & Tues) between 1800-2200 (last order 2100). There's a butterfly house and nature reserve.

 



back to Bowness on Solway | onward to Allonby