Isle of Man Guide - ISLAND GLENS, Silverdale

Search Site

Open:	All Year: Daily, 10am
Price:	Glen entry free, small fee for Paddle Boat Hire.
Access:	Steam Railway, bus or car
Acquired:	Forestry Board 1960 and Manx National Trust 1964
Disabled:	Access
Location:	Ballasalla
Parking:	Ample, close by in Car Park
River:	Silverburn
Suitable:	All ages
Type:	Mountain Glen

About Silverdale

Set at the start of the Silverburn River lies this glen. It consists of two main parts, each acquired at different times. The first part contains the play area, boating lake, and famous water powered merry go round (believed to be the oldest example of its type in the world). The merry go round was popular in the Victorian age and its horses date back to the early 1900's. There is no cost for riding on the merry go round and the lever control can be operated by the public.

The Cafe building and Cregg Mill buildings were bought a couple of years later. The mill is long dormant, though adds to the character of the area. The site now hosts a cafe, which serves a variety of hot and cold meals, snacks and ice cream. There is also a pottery craft studio and gift shop.

The second part of the glen was given to the Manx National Trust and is mostly dense woodland and streams. It has well laid out paths leading past small waterfalls and over wooden bridges near shallow lily ponds. Also found in this part of the glen is Monks Well, a perfect place to wish with a few coins.

Events

Dates:	Saturday 21 June 2008 - Monday 23 June 2008
Description:	Manx Model Boat Club. The 3 day Scale Model Boating Festival covering on the water steering and tug towing competitions and static scale model judging. This includes an evening prize presentation for the competitors. From 10am until 4pm. 21st-Onchan Park, 22nd Mooragh Park and 23rd Silverdale. Various Venues, Douglas.
Event information supplied by the Isle of Man Department of Tourism & Leisure (01624 686766)

Related News Articles

Major Refurbishment of the Silverdale Victorian Water-powered Roundabout 5 November 2007
DAFF has undertaken extensive refurbishment works on the Silverdale Glen Victorian Water-powered Roundabout recently in partnership with Booth W Kelly of Ramsey who co-ordinated the works. [More]

Silverdale Boating Lake 15 August 2005
THE Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry wishes to set the record straight as to its role and responsibilities in relation to the Silverdale boating lake, following recent media coverage of the closure of the facility. [More]