Silverdale Glen
| Silverdale Glen | |
|---|---|
  Silverdale Glen Location of Silverdale Glen on the Isle of Man | |
| Length | 2.2 km (1.4 mi) |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Glion yn Awin Argid (Manx) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Ballasalla |
| Country | Isle of Man |
| State/Province | Sheading of Rushen |
| Coordinates | 54°07′N 4°38′W / 54.11°N 4.64°W |
| River | Silver Burn |
Silverdale Glen is a National Glen and recreational area near the village of Ballasalla in the parish of Malew on the Isle of Man. The recreation site consists of a small boating lake, café, playing fields, and a playground with a Victorian water-powered carousel.[1]
The glen follows the Silverburn river for about half a mile, and can be accessed either from Ballasalla or from a car park off the A3 (Foxdale Road). The path through the glen forms part of the Millennium Way.
History[edit]
The buildings, which now house the restaurant and craft centre, were once in the hands of the Quayle family who owned Ballasalla Cregg Mill.[2] It was then bought by William Quine MHK, an amateur arborist who planted the area with trees and used the Silver Burn to mill flour.[3] The glen was developed as a tourist attraction for day trips from Douglas at the end of the 19th century.[4] After Quine's death in 1907, his son Thomas (also an MHK) took over the mill, restored the monks' well, and further developed the area.[5] By 1910, the mill had been repurposed as a café for mass tourism in the Isle of Man and had become known as the Silverdale Tea Rooms.[2] In 1938, the mill was sold to Cecil Joseph Mitchell who continued to promote the glen as a tourist destination.
The amusements and recreation area were bought by the Forestry, Mines & Lands Board in 1960, and the mill and café in 1962.[2] The lower part of the glen was donated to the Manx National Trust in 1966.
Attractions[edit]
Boating lake[edit]
A small lake was created when the Silverburn river was dammed for the mill. It was then repurposed as a boating lake when the glen was developed as a tourist attraction.[2] Pedalo boats are available for hire. The Manx Model Boat Club meets regularly at the lake.[6]
Mill[edit]
The mill was repurposed with an extension as a café for tourists in 1910. In recent years a gift shop, crafts studio, and crafts stalls have been housed in the mill building.[7] The water-wheel attached to the mill has been restored and is now capable of producing electricity for the mill.[2] There is a small playground close to the mill.
Carousel and water-wheel[edit]
The Victorian carousel is powered by a water-wheel that is driven by the Silverburn river. The water-wheel originally came from the Foxdale mines where it was once a washing floor wheel.[2] Although the carousel horses were installed in 1911,[8] they are still in operation, with frequent refurbishments.[9] When the carousel was first installed, an adult was needed to hold open the sluice to divert water from the river that would allow the carousel to turn.[4]
Walks[edit]
Silverdale Glen has a number of walks along the Silverburn river. A short walk goes from nearby Rushen Abbey, along the river and to Silverdale Glen. A medieval bridge dating to the 12th century built by Cistercian monks spans the river close to Rushen Abbey.[10] A longer walk is from Rushen Abbey, along the river, and to Poulsom Park beside Castletown railway station.[1] Walkers will also pass the Monks Well which was a popular wishing well during the height of mass tourism to the area.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Silverdale Glen and Castletown Stroll". Visit Isle of Man. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Silverdale Glen". Isle of Man. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "MEMORIAL NOTICES: WILLIAM QUINE, M.H.K." A Manx Notebook. 2 June 1907. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Painted wooden carousel horse from Silverdale Glen". iMuseum. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Thomas Frederick Quine". iMuseum. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Silverdale Glen Lake". Manx Model Boat Club. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Craftworks Studio". Visit IOM. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Investment in Isle of Man glens praised". BBC. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Silverdale carousel turns again after essential maintenance completed". IOM Today. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ Weyde, Bernadette (23 November 2019). "The Monks' Bridge". As Manx as the Hills. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ Rothwell, Kevin (6 January 2006). "The Monks Well in Silverdale Glen". Geograph. Retrieved 2 January 2021.