Silverdale Glen

Silverdale is the family glen: a wooded valley with a boating lake, a café and a small set of amusements, the centrepiece of which is a carousel of 1890s vintage that is still turned by a water wheel fed from the stream rather than by a motor. The ride came from Liverpool and has been running here for over a century. Paths lead up the glen towards Ballasalla and the ruins of Rushen Abbey are a short walk away.

History

The glen follows the Silverburn river for about half a mile. Its buildings, now a restaurant and craft centre, once belonged to the Quayle family, owners of Ballasalla Cregg Mill, and were later bought by William Quine MHK, an amateur arborist who planted the area with trees (Wikipedia, Silverdale Glen).

The main sights

• The water-driven carousel - an 1890s ride still turned by a water wheel.
• The boating lake - the rowing boats on the pond at the centre of the glen.
• The glen paths - walks up the wooded valley towards Ballasalla.
• The Rushen Abbey link - the medieval abbey ruins a short walk away.

When to go

April to September is when the rides and café operate. Winter leaves only the walking. Weekends and school holidays are busiest.

Good to know

The amusements are modest and aimed at young children. Rides operate seasonally and in reasonable weather only. It gets crowded on fine weekends.

Nearby

Castletown is south, and the Fairy Bridge is east.

Key facts