Silloth Green is recognised as one of the UK’s very best green spaces

Today, a record number of parks and green spaces collect a Green Flag Award

Silloth Green in Silloth-on-Solway, Cumbria has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world. Silloth Green is the only park in Allerdale to be awarded a Green Flag and joins three other green spaces awarded recognition in Cumbria.

Silloth Green is among a record-breaking 1,970 UK parks and green spaces and 131 in thirteen other countries around the world, that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag – the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Cllr. Mark Orchard, Mayor of Silloth said

“We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the seventh year in succession. I think the Green Flag Award is testament to the town’s residents, Council staff, volunteers and the loyal visitors who together, help keep Silloth the attraction it is. I would like to congratulate everyone, as without all their input and dedication it wouldn’t be achievable, never mind sustainable.”

Silloth Green is one of the largest village greens in the North of England. It boasts spectacular views over the Solway Firth to Criffel and the Caerlaverock Hills in the North, and the Lake District to the South. The Green forms a green link between Silloth’s grand Victorian townscape and the sea front promenade, for many years attracting visitors seeking fresh sea air and recreational facilities.

After extensive refurbishment work, Silloth Green now boasts a modern Water Splash play area, a woodland adventure play area, a BMX track, a Putting Green & Fairy Trail. Beautiful oak picnic tables and benches are to be found in various locations, with accessible footpaths linking the various features. Along Criffel Street, some Victorian style lighting was installed, in-keeping with the heritage of the town. The Edwardian ladies’ toilets built in 1910 and the spectacular Victorian pagoda overlooking the sea were also sympathetically refurbished.

A new addition to Silloth Green this year is the creation of a new Pirate Ship Play Area, next to the Water Splash Park, for children aged 0-5 years. New planting has taken place in the Edwardian bed to create a wildlife friendly area, with appropriate plants and the addition of bird boxes, bat boxes, insect hotels, wood piles and hedgehog homes etc. There has also been extensive renovation and replanting of the shrub beds around the Criffel Street public conveniences, with plans to do other shrub beds later in the year. None of this would have been possible without our amazing volunteers and the Council’s grounds maintenance team.

The Community Garden, situated on the corner of Criffel Street and Lawn Terrace, was designed with input from local people. The garden was opened in May 2014 and is cared for by dedicated volunteers. This year, the gravel footpaths were re surfaced and flowerbeds were extended, with a lot of new planting within the garden, creating a colourful and vibrant entrance to Silloth Green and a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by.

The Heritage Rose and Bee Garden is situated closer to the sea, with a bee hotel in the middle of a striking display of rose bushes, plants and shrubs which have created a haven for the local bee and butterfly population, again cared for by dedicated volunteers. The Heritage Rose & Bee Garden received an ‘Outstanding‘ RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Award in the 2018 Cumbria in Bloom competition.

Bill Jefferson, Chair of the Parks Committee said

“Quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Silloth Green to such a high standard. We all know how lucky we are to have this world class asset as our centrepiece and we will continue to maintain, improve and enhance this treasure.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag Awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 131 International winners.”

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement.”