We provide fun, challenge and adventure to over 1400 young people in North Lancashire – #SkillsForLife
We provide fun, challenge and adventure to over 1400 young people in North Lancashire – #SkillsForLife

SilverHelme Scout Activity Centre

SilverHelme (OS Ref: SD 4735 7526) is situated near to Silverdale village.

The full address is:
The Row, Silverdale, Nr. Carnforth.  LA5 0UG. (Please note that the post code entered in a satnav is not accurate in locating the site entrance.)

We’ve added the what3words address to our location to make it easier to find. Simply click on the link or enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to view the precise location on a map.

what3words address: ///mimed.cardinal.unscathed

Or, for full directions on how to find us click here.

Location

SilverHelme Activity Centre is set in eighteen acres of natural woodland, comprising mainly oak, ash, yew, hazel and holly.

The campsite is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), the Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, amidst limestone pavement, within 1.5 km of the village of Silverdale (O.S. Map 97 Ref. SD 473 752).

The campsite is 500m from Silverdale Railway Station and 2 km from the Morecambe Bay shore at Silverdale.

Site Map

Facilities

Mortimer Lodge

This modern centrally heated building is capable of sleeping thirty people in separate bunk rooms, ( 4 x 6 berth, 1 x 4 berth & 1 x 2 berth rooms).

It has a large room for dining and indoor activities for wet weather.

There is a fully fitted kitchen with gas cooker, hot water, fridge & freezer and all crockery, utensils etc.

There are also separate indoor male and female toilets with washing facilities and showers; Disabled people are catered for in this area.

There is also a separate indoor cloakroom and storage facility for muddy footwear by the entrance to the Lodge.

Items that you need to bring to the campsite

Tea towels, sleeping bags, pillows, personal washing equipment, food and drink.

Wet weather shelter

The site now has the benefit of a purpose built wet weather shelter adjacent to Mortimer Lodge. This has lighting and power and tables and chairs.

The Den

Also on site is this small cabin known as ‘The Den’ which sleeps six. Basic facilities are a fridge, electric kettle, toaster and a cold water sink. This is an ideal hut for use as a day centre for Cub packs, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions etc. It boasts its own campfire circle and is adjacent to a grassed area suitable for games, which can be booked with the den.

Toilets

A toilet block (new build 2017) with hot and cold water wash basins, disabled facilities, and separate showers is located close to the centre of the site. There are also two “washing-up” stations with hot & cold water.

Camping

Melling Meadow

Camping is distributed between three open areas. Two of these areas are adjacent to Mortimer Lodge. The third area (Melling Meadow) is further into the site. All these areas are ideal for troop or group camps. 

In addition there are many glades scattered through the site, the glades being perfect for patrol camps.

General Information

Altar fires are located on all camping areas, for larger campfires a campfire circle is located beyond the flagpole.

There is also in this area a gravelled site with a basketball net for games.

There is a payphone just alongside Mortimer Lodge. Wi-Fi is available – please contact the Warden.

Set further back behind Mortimer Lodge amongst the trees there is an open-air chapel.

Fires

Wood fires are allowed on camping areas by using Altar Fires Only.

Fires Must NOT be lit directly on the ground.

An area is provided for lighting fires on the ground for backwoods cooking.

First Aid

Groups should provide their own general first aid equipment.
Any accidents must be reported to the duty warden.

Souvenirs & Tuck Shop

The shop has Scouting and other souvenirs and badges, sweets etc.

The Booking Secretary will arrange for it to be opened during your visit.

The covered verandah outside the shop may be used as a base for activities.

Activities

The site has a fixed orienteering course with various grades.

A cliff face with anchor points provides for abseiling or rock climbing and a limited supply of rope lashings and poles for pioneering projects can be booked daily.

Crate stacking is available – you need to be signed off to run it.

There is a beaver trail and pond-dipping can be arranged via the warden at the local village pond.

The area is full of footpaths ideal for short or longer hikes in beautiful countryside with a wealth of wildlife, which includes deer, squirrels, rabbits etc. Whilst only 650m away is the Leighton Moss Nature Reserve (RSPB).

Skills & Games -Got an hour to fill? Want some new activity ideas?

Mini Pioneering
Knots & Lashings
Parachute Games
Orienteering
Giant Jenga
Scavenger Hunt
Connect 4
Circus Skills
Basketball
Navigation & Exploration

Please ask the Warden what is available. All at low or no cost.

Additional Information

Walks in the “Silver Dale” 

  1. Arnside Knott Walk – 6.5 miles OS Route Map    Route description: Arnside Knott Walk desc
  2. Jenny Brown’s Point Walk – 5 miles  OS Route Map  Route description: Jenny Browns Point Walk descr
  3. Explore Silverdale Walk – with questions (information correct at time of publication) – 3.7 miles (3 hours approx.) Question sheet & directions  – Answers
  4. Leighton Moss Walk – 5.5 miles OS Route Map Route description: Leighton Moss Walk descr

 More coming …..

Silverdale village has a greengrocers, newsagents, bakers, post office and butchers. Nearby Carnforth (6..3 km) has several supermarkets – Tesco, Aldi, Co-op & Booths, with a variety of shops, banks and fast food outlets. There are also many other places to visit in the area including: ‑ the seaside resort of Morecambe and Heysham, the Lake District, Pine Lake Water Activities Centre Carnforth and the historic City of Lancaster with its Castle and Butterfly House. The Wildlife Oasis is situated a few miles away at Hale.

Places of Worship

There is a Church of England and a Methodist Church in Silverdale, a Roman Catholic Church in Yealand Conyers (3.5 miles) and churches for other denominations can be found in Warton & Carnforth.

Just in Case

Nearest A&E Dept. :

Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Ashton Road, Lancaster LA1 4RP Tel:  01524 65944.

Campsite Rules & Brochure

The campsite rules can be found here

A full copy of the Campsite Health & Safety Policy Document is available at the Campsite.

Bookings

Bookings can be made online, where you can also check to see if any of the facilities are available. The booking calendar is updated as soon as possible after a booking.

Booking page.

Some SilverHelme Personalities

Acquisition of SilverHelme