Silverdale Glen

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.

The medieval Monks Bridge over the Silverburn.

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]