The Big Hill

🌄 Origins: From Quarry to Playground

• The site began as a limestone quarry and later an iron-ore mine, echoing the industrial heritage that defined Cleator Moor. 

• In the early 1970s, unused quarry land—about 5 acres—was donated by the local Catholic Church to the community. With funding from the Cellar Youth Project and church, it became Cumbria’s first adventure playground.

• 🛝 Adventure Playground Era

• A £15,000 grant supported the transformation, allowing installation of a slide, zip-wire, and climbing features.

• The playground became a regional magnet—particularly in summer, hosting massive jelly fights with music, fun acts, and live entertainment. Memories of 1983 highlight the fun shared by children across the region.

• 🔄 Transition & Decline

• In 1976, Cumbria County Council withdrew support, but Cleator Moor Town Council kept it running using a Home Office grant covering 75% of costs.
  
  

• However, the arrival of another playpark on Jacktrees Road in the 1980s gradually drew families away, leading to a decline of Big Hill’s original playground.

• 🌳 Regeneration & Millennium Green

• At the turn of the millennium, the site was revitalised as a country park or Millennium Green, sometimes called Bighill Community Park.

• Today, it features a charming network of woodland pathways, native plantings, and tranquil green spaces—preserving its charm and heritage.

• 🕰️ Timeline Summary

• Era

• Highlights

• Pre-1970s

• Limestone & iron-ore quarry

• 1970s–1980s

• Adventure playground; first in Cumbria

• Mid‑1970s

• Approx. £15k grant; supported by town council

• 1980s

• Decline due to competition

• Circa 2000

• Reborn as Millennium Green / country park

• What's it like today?

• A 0.56 km long woodland park offering tranquil walks and green space Millennium Green

• It stands as a symbol of local pride—showcasing community-driven transformation from industrial remains to a vibrant public amenity.
  
  

Why Big Hill Matters

Big Hill is more than a park—it's a testament to local resilience and creativity. Over decades, Cleator Moor residents reclaimed and transformed industrial scars into safe, fun, and lasting green spaces for all.