Silloth Green

pagoda

Silloth Green, incorporating Harbour Green, a large area known simply as ‘the Green,’ and Skinburness Green is one of the largest and longest village Greens in England.

The Green forms a grassy link between the Silloth townscape and the sea front promenade, complementing the grand regency style buildings on Criffel Street, which runs along the opposite side of the broad cobbled road.

Enriched by the green space and close proximity to the sea, this former Victorian spa town has a unique air, making it an interesting place to visit. The Green lies within the Silloth conservation area and the buffer zone of the World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall. Close by lies the visitor centre for the Solway Coast ‘Area of Natural Beauty.’ (AONB) and two ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest’ (SSSI) stretch North and South of the town.

Successful funding bids to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under the ‘Parks for People Programme,’ resulted in a two year refurbishment project to restore the Green and its heritage buildings. Restoration work was completed in 2012 and was celebrated with a grand opening on 20th May 2012.

silloth green logoFor more information about Silloth Green, its history, forthcoming events etc take a look at the dedicated Silloth Green website and also the Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Green Refurbishment

In 2008, a Stage 1 Bid and Conservation and Management Plan to refurbish the Green was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Parks for People Programme’ by Southern Green, a landscape design consultancy. The Stage 1 pass was confirmed in April 2009, and following a competitive process, Southern Green were commissioned to Prepare Stage 2 proposals in August 2009.

Heritage Lottery and the Rural development Programme for England (RDPE) Leader Programmes supported a range of restoration and new works throughout The Green in 2011, including:

  • Restoration of the iconic Victorian pagoda
  • Restoration of the Edwardian ladies’ toilets
  • Restoration of the 1950s rose garden and ornamental shrubberies
  • Reinstatement of a putting course
  • The development of a new water play area and small events space
  • The development of a woodland play area
  • Construction of a new accessible toilet block near the new play areas
  • Improvements to access and circulation
  • Improvements to street furniture
  • The conservation of the landmark pine plantations, including improvements to biodiversity
  • Introducing interpretation of The Green’s rich history and natural history
  • Contribution to a new town garden
  • Construction of a BMX Track

The work was also supported by: E3 Ecology; Hall & Partners; Fiona Green Garden Historian; Mosedale Gillat; Ray Hopper Associates; SINE and BDN.

Cumbria County Council’s ’Economic Development Unit‘ provided a Project Manager, Jason Dixey, who was responsible for liaison with the Town Council, Jane Alexander, the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Monitor, and Nick Herepath, HLF North West. In addition, North Allerdale Trust provided administrative assistance to Silloth Town Council.

Additional support and attendance at monthly steering group meetings came from members of Silloth Town Council, Ruby Tiger and the Silloth Regeneration Partnership, Britain’s Energy Coast West Cumbria (formerly West lakes Renaissance), Allerdale Borough Council and North Allerdale Development Trust.

Green Flag Award

green flag logoSilloth Green is one of the very best in the UK – and that’s official. Among a record-breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces, Silloth Green has received a prestigious Green Flag Award for the last eight` years in succession.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is managed in the UK by a consortium, comprising Keep Britain Tidy, The Conservation Volunteers and GreenSpace. Known collectively as the Green Flag Plus Partnership, the consortium manages the scheme in England on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government and in Wales for the Welsh Steering Group.

Green Flag Award recognises well-managed, high-quality green spaces. Any green space in the UK is eligible to win this award providing it is freely accessible to the public. Previous winners include parks managed by local authorities as well as those run by community groups and trusts. The scheme was set up in 1996.

For more information visit: http://greenflag.keepbritaintidy.org/

Management Plan – Revised May 2021 (pdf)

Festivals and Events

The Town Council are committed to supporting festivals and events in the town, for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

If you would like to apply to hold an event on the Green, it will be necessary to fill in an application form. The application form and other relevant documentation needs to be returned to the Town Clerk at least 56 days prior to the event but it is advisable to get in touch long before the proposed event to get the Council’s initial approval and to make sure the date is available.

For more information about organising an event check out the following page.

Please contact the Town Council Tel: 016973 31128 or email: townclerk@silloth-on-solway.co.uk to report any damage or graffiti.  Alternatively, complete our Contact Form.