Silloth holds a special place in many people’s hearts in Cumbria. It is the place they had their family holidays, on the coast and remember fondly, writes Karen Morley-Chesworth. Today that draw of the wide open skyline and traditional breakaway is as popular as ever, as we discovered on a weekend away at Cove UK’s Solway Holiday Park.
The Carlisle-born food critic Grace Dent in her biography talks with warmth about her family holidays in a caravan overlooking the Solway in Silloth. And we discovered a weekend away in the luxurious Gold two-bedroomed caravan accommodation at the Solway Coastal Park was a relaxing and refreshing break.
Situated opposite one of the ornamental lakes within the park, the view was beautiful. We were presented with our Fun Cards to access the many attractions and facilities and had a lovely welcome pack to set us up (the essential tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter and more). We quickly settled into our holiday home with ensuite accommodation.
Less than a 5-minute walk from the seafront, and a 10-minute stroll along the wide, open promenade to The Green in Silloth town, you couldn’t have found anywhere more perfect to stay on this part of the Cumbrian coast.
A northern gateway to the Lake District, this is the perfect location for exploring North West Cumbria and the start of Hadrian’s Wall. The Solway coast is an Area of Outstanding Beauty and a haven for wildlife. More than 70 species of birds have been spotted here, including Cooper Swans, Barnacle geese and pink-footed geese.
You can pick up the King Charles Coastal Path to discover the unspoilt beauty of the Cumbrian coast or take a short drive into Cockermouth, Keswick and the Lake District mountains.
However, with so much on your doorstep, there is no need to even leave the holiday park. The facilities within the park are great, with a swimming pool, tennis courts, archery, body zorbs, restaurant and bar. There’s the amuAnd there are plenty of activities to enjoy.
Our first day was a little grey, and we decided to spend a couple of hours in the onsite Creative Studio, pottery painting a tea light pot which was great fun. Our artwork was fired that night and we were able to pick up the finished work the next morning.
We had a game of air hockey in the Gateway Arcade, before a walk into Silloth, taking in the views across the Solway to Scotland. The entrance to the holiday park is close to the iconic lighthouse structure. There is beautiful public artwork installed along the prom. The giant man and his dog, sat on a bench, looking out to the sea view is a brilliant piece that makes you smile.
The Victorian seaside town has a real heart. Silloth’s Victorian Green is well-maintained and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The traditional cobbled streets add to the charm of this town.
There are plenty of things to do, with a putting green, BMX track, tennis courts, and amusement arcade. We visited the RLNI station which is open to the public, and enjoyed the views. This is an ideal place for young families, with miles of safe beaches, and open spaces to run around and explore.
There are independent museums in the town celebrating toy soldiers and motorbikes. Silloth has a real community atmosphere. This is a seaside town where people live and it feels loved.
After a day of walking in the sea air, we headed to the Borders Restaurant at our holiday park for dinner. The dining room is modern and relaxing, and the menu has something to suit every taste. The freshly prepared food was delicious. My shish kebab looked as amazing as it tasted, presented suspended from its skewer. My daughter’s lasagna with garlic bread was equally delicious and my husband’s slow-cooked blade of beef was mouth-watering and great quality. The restaurant is open from 9 am until 10 pm and there is also the Fish Box for traditional fish and chips and the Wood Fired Pizza bar.
There is a Sunday market and car boot sale in the town, which is worth a visit and after we had breakfast in The Fairy Cafe just off the Green – where you can spot the fairy doors in the copse of trees along the seafront.
Mrs Wilson’s Coffee House and Eaterie celebrates the opera singer Kathleen Ferrier who married the local bank manager and lived in the town. The cafe bar has lovely views over the Green to the sea and Scotland beyond. We have a coffee here after our afternoon walk into Silloth.
We ended our final full day with fish and chips from the traditional Silloth Cafe Fish and Chips (who offer gluten free fish and chips), sat on the seafront, watching the sunset develop over the water. Silloth is famous for its stunning sunsets, and we were not disappointed by our final evening’s natural light show.
We stayed at Solway Holiday Park during their Cove Fest Music and Drink Festival. With the lineup including the Shane Noland Band and tribute artists including Beyonce, Tom Jones, Ed Sheeran Freddie Mercury and Taylor Swift, there was a buzz around the park. It was lovely to see several generations of families coming together and enjoying what Solway Holiday Park and Silloth have to offer. It’s a great place for families, and also a great place for couples to sit back and enjoy a breakaway.
The self-catering accommodation which also includes Chalets provides an ideal place to stay. With the onsite restaurant and takeaways, as well as well well-stocked shop, you have everything on hand.
With Halloween on the horizon, there are special events including pumpkin carving, trick or treating, spooky family shows and holiday packages coming up.
Solway Holiday Park has recently had a major £8 million makeover and you can see the investment in the facilities. As well as staying for a break, you can own a holiday home here or live in the residential development, Meadow View. They can arrange part exchange for your house, for a seaside home between the sea and the Lake District fells.
Cove UK are running a competition where you could win a holiday home for a year – the details and how to enter are via their competition link
Despite staying for the weekend, we didn’t have time to have a go at the axe throwing, bird of prey or laser tag experiences, have a game of pool or watch the entertainment and live show in Hadrian’s. However, we are planning to return, and hope to try more of the activities in the Park as well as explore more of this hidden gem north of the Lake District.
- Thank you to Cove UK for their invitation to stay at Solway Holiday Park, Silloth, Cumbria
- For more information about Solway Holiday Park visit their website cove.co.uk/solway or call 0333 996 7888
- For more information about Solway Holiday Park ownership visit cove.co.uk/solway/ownership or call 01697 331236
- AD PR Stay
