Isle of Man Guide

Open:	All Year: Daily
Price:	FREE
Access:	Steam Railway, bus or car
Acquired:	Forestry Board 1960 and Manx National Trust 1964
Disabled:	Access
Location:	South, near Ballasalla
OS Ref:	2771
Parking:	Ample, close by in Car Park
River:	Silverburn
Suitable:	All ages
Type:	Mountain Glen

About Silverdale

Set at the start of the Silverburn River lies this glen. It consists of two main parts, each acquired at different times. The first part contains the play area, boating lake, and famous water powered merry go round (believed to be the oldest example of its type in the world). The merry go round was popular in the Victorian age and its horses date back to the early 1900's. There is no cost for riding on the merry go round and the lever control can be operated by the public.

The Cafe building and Cregg Mill buildings were bought a couple of years later. The mill is long dormant, though adds to the character of the area. The site now hosts a cafe, which serves a variety of hot and cold meals, snacks and ice cream. There is also a pottery craft studio and gift shop.

The second part of the glen was given to the Manx National Trust and is mostly dense woodland and streams. It has well laid out paths leading past small waterfalls and over wooden bridges near shallow lily ponds. Also found in this part of the glen is Monks Well, a perfect place to wish with a few coins.