Grace House, Silloth

The popular resort of Silloth in West Cumbria lies north of the Lake District on the shore of the Solway Firth. On the opposite shore lie the hills of Southern Galloway in Scotland and to the south Skiddaw and the Northern Fells can be seen. Silloth was renowned for its “invigorating air, temperate climate, airy streets, its promenade and beach”. It has glorious sea and mountain views and the light and the sunsets are renowned. It was developed in the 1850s; the railway arrived in 1856, the docks were opened 3 years later. The Carr’s biscuit factory flour mill opened in 1886. Silloth was for a time, one of the country’s premier seaside resorts. The town was laid out on a regular grid pattern and planned as a “health resort for the upper and middle classes”. The streets running off the wide, tree lined, cobbled Criffel Street are all named after the rivers flowing into the Solway Firth. The ‘Green’, an ever present feature is 34 acres of open grassland and is communal space for all to enjoy. Silloth and Solway Golf Club, situated in the town is a championship course which is ranked No 1 by the National Club Golfer Magazine 2016 for both quality and value. There are superb walks, particularly along the coastline, south to Allonby and north to Grune Point. Birdwatching is ever present. Both the Lake District and the English Heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall are an easy 40 minute drive away. With quiet country roads and the Cumbria Coastal Way this is an ideal location for cyclists and walkers.