Holgates Silverdale Caravan Park review
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Right on the border between Cumbria and Lancashire, with views across Morecambe Bay to the Irish Sea, Holgates Silverdale is in an unspoiled area that deserves better recognition. It makes a good base for the Lakes, or south to Morecambe and Lancaster, but there is also much of interest locally – not least the facilities on this first-rate site.
This campsite is the flagship of the Holgates group, with many accolades to its credit including being among the highest-rated of all Premier Parks. It’s not hard to see why, from the impressive reception building with its popular indoor swimming pool, restaurant, supermarket, gym and laundry, to the beautifully maintained grounds and well-equipped play areas for kids. It’s certainly family-friendly, with a games arcade and outdoor play areas, and being just a short walk to the coast.There are about 450 statics on site, grouped loosely together, while the 85 touring pitches are arranged in a handful of clusters along the western fringe. We scored lucky, with what must have been the best pitch on site – a short walk to reception and an uninterrupted sea view.
It’s just a five-minute stroll to the shore. I’d hesitate to call it a beach, as there isn’t a grain of sand to be seen, but the shingle banks are ideal for wildlife or sunset-watching. The tidal flats are a magnet to wading birds (oystercatchers, curlews and several others) and otters are also seen – although the only wild mammal we saw was a deer picking blackberries off bushes at the water’s edge. The flats proved irresistible to our springer spaniel, who emerged as happy as a dog covered in mud.
We broke camp and headed for Windermere, making a circular tour of the northern half of the lake by boat and foot. The Windermere Lake Cruise walkers’ ticket took us from Bowness to Ambleside on the Swan (most appropriate, we thought), and then to Hawes Castle on the Princess of the Lake. A walk south along the shore and a short ferry back to Bowness completes the loop. Top tip here is to pay and display more than you are likely to need in the Bowness car park, as the operator discounts fares by any parking fee over four hours.
Back at Silverdale, we checked out the restaurant. The food was above expectations, with my steak being better than many I’ve had at ‘proper’ restaurants. Holgates makes efforts to source food and drink locally, and we enjoyed the local cask ale OSB Detention, a light coloured bitter with a lovely dry finish. This comes from Old School Brewery in Carnforth, whose beers are named on a scholastic theme (Hopscotch, Blackboard and Headmaster).
The Arnside area is one of England’s undiscovered gems, offering walks, wildlife, cycling, fishing and many other activities – there’s no better place to discover this area than from Holgates Silverdale.
Address: Middlebarrow Plain, Cove Road, Silverdale LA5 0SH
Tel: 01524-701508
Web: www.holgates.co.uk/silverdale
Open: All year
Charges: £33.00 (two adults, pitch, electric).
Nearest public transport: Bus ½ mile, rail 1½ miles.
Nearest pub/restaurant: On site.
Directions: From M6 junction 35, take the A601 signposted Carnforth then after one mile turn left at roundabout. At traffic lights turn right, signposted Silverdale. After one mile turn sharp left into Sands Lane. After level crossing turn right at T-junction signposted Holgates and follow signs to the site.
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