Silecroft

Location

SW Lakes - N of Millom

Details

A convenient low level place when other sites are blown out (ie "the Combe"). New fencing has meant a low level take-off, although a better take off now exists a mile further north via a different approach. Generally very smooth with good lift that allows the site to be extended 3.5 km to the north with small "challenges" on the way. Sea thermals can provide good height gains which allow the "Combe" to be gained.

Site Officer

Burkitt Rudd : 07811 642533

Postcode for Sat Nav Systems (read the Health Warning!)

LA18 4NX

The postcode centre is the telephone box near the end of the road from Silecroft to the beach. Carry on a bit further and turn right into the car park.

Getting There

Turn off A5093 at Silecroft and follow minor road towards the beach. Turn right down a track after 500m. Park after 150m Keep track clear.

Getting to takeoff

Can be walked from the beach car park to south end take off. Alternatively, it can be driven via a track that starts 100m before the beach car park (goes to Summerhills). Park by second gate. North end ... drive a road/track to buildings and walk in. Take off is 120m N of Summerhils.

XC potential

Limited but there is potential if the "Combe" can be gained.

Permission to use site

Whitbeck (for access and take off south end.)Townend Farm, Whitbeck (access and take off north end)

IMPORTANT - Restrictions on use

Don't hang around in front of Summerhills - please respect the residents privacy.No dogs allowed onto the site.

Please refrain from driving vehicles on to site. The farmer has requested that we park off the track alongside the fence where there is a small strip of grass about the width of a car, better still park in the main Carpark.

Paragliding

This is a good safe site but take care on launch if windy due to compression (there can be no wind at the base of the banking but on the crest, 30'/ 10m higher it can be 15 - 20mph!). Avoid flying low in front of Summerhills as the residents like their privacy.

Hang Gliding

No problems but easy to mess up the low level launch and end up on the beach so avoid high tide! Don't scratch; if below the top then go down, land and walk the glider back up. Good top landing.

Additional Safety Notes

Check the state of the tides. Don't scratch.

Resources

Don't click on flight logs, download to your PC first (right click and 'Save Link As')

Type	Click to Follow Link	Notes
Flash Earth - Car Park
Flash Earth - Car Park 2
Flash Earth - Landing
Flash Earth - Take Off
Flash Earth - Take Off 2
Google Earth - Car Park
Google Earth - Car Park 2
Google Street View - Parking		The car park at Silecroft

Follow the links for further details of a site. For flights you will probably need to right click and save the link to your PC before opening Google Earth.
Google Earth links rely on Google Earth being installed on your system. Google Earth provides pan and tilt faciity. You can also upload your flights to GE - use GPS Dump (Links Page) to convert a variety of GPS file formats to a GE kml file
Flash Earth is an alternative to Google Earth but provides a top down view only. To view in Flash Earth, click on the instruction text to clear it - the cross is the spot

Local Information

Pubs

Nearest pubs to the site - for post flying debriefing only!

No pub details are available for this site. Send your recommendations to the webmaster.

 

A selection of photos showing key aspects of the site. If you have a good photo showing take off and landing areas, then send it to the webmaster. Aerial shots showing the landing area are especially welcome.

Silecroft take off and the beach. Photo by Peter Rycroft.

The Silecroft area from the north looking south. Bog Hole (SD 095849) is the small bay in the centre of the photo. The normal take off area is the line of houses in the far distance, below the windmills. Photo by Matt Doncaster

 

Site Records

This page shows records for this site. Some of the older records are not very detailed. More recent records may have an igc file available You can right click and download this to your PC. You can then use IGC Flight replay to view the flight.

Paragliding

Open Distance XC
Distance :	5.9km
Date :	03/06/1995
Pilot :	Shaun Ainley
Out and Return
Distance :	11.2km
Date :	2004
Pilot :	Ian Bertram?
Notes :	Has been completed by many pilots though possibly Barty being the first.

Hang Gliding

No records for this site