Selside is a community of around 100 scattered farms and other dwellings on the south-eastern edge of the Lake District. The largest cluster of housing is in Watchgate, close to the southern boundary of the parish, some 5 miles north of Kendal. The A6 runs north through Selside rising to around 1400 feet elevation [over 400m] on its route from Kendal to Shap and Penrith. It used to be the main west coast road route to Scotland. Today it carries mainly local traffic.
Selside is a quiet, elevated community bounded by Lake District hills to the west and the Whinfell ridge to the north-east. Selside’s farms and fields are mainly dedicated to sheep, together with some cattle. Some farms have diversified to egg production. Many of the old farms and barns have been converted to residential use or holiday accommodation.
This website is run in conjunction with Selside Memorial Hall and serves the parish of Selside and Fawcett Forest, and part of Whinfell to the east. The parish has a small population. Local government is in the form of a parish meeting. Selside falls within the county of Cumbria. Before 1974 reorganisation it was in the county of Westmorland, a name kept alive in various ways, for instance in the name of the local newspaper, the Westmorland Gazette. In April 2023 the name of Westmorland returned to local government, with Cumbria being split into two unitary authorities. Selside falls within the area administered by new Westmorland and Furness Council.
Within this website you will find information regarding the Memorial Hall and the Parish Church. Selside Endowed Primary School has its own website. Potential visitors will find links to helpful local information.
Selside also features on Facebook.