Glasgow Parks and Gardens

(Glasgow, Scotland, UK)

A city filled with green spaces and pretty gardens, Glasgow city centre is close to a number of pleasant parks. Especially central is the Glasgow Green, which is located on the northern banks of the River Clyde, being near to the University of Strathclyde and the Crownpoint Road Sports Complex.

To the west of the city centre, next to the Hunterian Art Gallery and the campus of Glasgow University, Kelvingrove Park is based around the meandering River Kelvin and is often busy during the summer months, when locals come here to picnic, sunbathe, play tennis and perhaps even enjoy a game of croquet. Next door, the Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena hosts many important athletics events and exhibitions.

Strathclyde Country Park

Address: 366 Hamilton Road, Motherwell, Glasgow, ML1 3ED, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1698 266155
The vast and beautiful Strathclyde Country Park covers more than 1,000 acres / 405 hectares in the North Lanarkshire area nearby Glasgow, in the Clyde Valley. Visitors can expect plenty of wildlife and outdoor activities, such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and water skiing on the scenic Strathclyde Loch, angling, football and hockey - there is even a popular theme park. Strathclyde Country Park is situated close to the Motherwell train station.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 18:45, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 18:45
Admission: free

Bellahouston Park

Address: 16 Dumbreck Road, Glasgow, G41 5BW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 427 0558
This wonderful park was founded more than 100 years ago and features landscaped gardens, the Mackintosh House for an Art Lover, a popular leisure centre and much more besides. Located in the South Side area of Glasgow, close to the Cassnock train station, other attractions at Bellahouston include picnic areas, pathways, seats and large open spaces.
Open hours: dawn-dusk
Admission: free

Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace

Address: 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0UE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 334 2422
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are dominated by the huge dome of Kibble Palace, which remains a spectacular feat of Victorian engineering and has recently been restored. Highlights include statues, exotic plants, an outstanding collection of orchids, enormous cacti, picnic areas, a riverside walk, areas for sunbathing and a large amount of local Scottish wildlife. The Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace can be found in the West End, close to the Hillhead train station.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to dusk
Admission: free

Kelvingrove Park

Address: Otago Street , Glasgow, G3 6BY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 770 0519 (bowling green)
Kelvingrove Park lies on the northern side of the River Clyde, being roughly 2 km / 1.5 miles from the city centre. Covering just under 90 acres / 36 hectares, Kelvingrove has an undeniable Victorian character and is home to some interesting features, including an imposing granite staircase, the Stewart Memorial Fountain, the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Galleries, bowling greens, a croquet lawn, tennis courts, a skateboard park and an orienteering trail.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Glasgow Green

Address: Greendyke Street, Glasgow, G1 5DB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 552 1142
Glasgow Green, in the East End, became a public park almost 150 years ago and is now one of the oldest in Scotland. Attractions at the Green include a large amount of open space, seating areas, special events, fountains and some important monuments. Of note, the St. Enoch train station is nearby.
Open hours: dawn-dusk
Admission: free

Mugdock Country Park

Address: Craigallian Road, Milngavie, Glasgow, G62 8EL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 956 6100
Mugdock Country Park is amongst the city's largest and covers over 750 acres / 300 hectares. Situated in East Dunbartonshire, the park features a playground for children, walled gardens, a picturesque loch, picnic areas, a café, craft shops and a theatre. Mugdock Country Park is close to the Milngavie train station.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

Pollok Country Park

Address: 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G43 1AT, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 632 9299
The wonderful Pollok Country Park can be found in the South Side area of Glasgow and is home to many spectacular features, including woodland trails, a scenic riverside, landscaped gardens, Highland cattle, Shire horses and the Pollok House. Guided tours are often available and this popular park is close to the Pollokshaws West train station.
Admission: free

Queens Park

Address: 520 Langside Road, Glasgow, G42 9QL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 649 0331
Queens Park is named after Mary, Queen of Scots, who had strong connections with the city. This scenic spot is situated on the South Side of Glasgow and has many Victorian features, such as gateways, benches and traditional gardens. Queens Park is also home to number of excellent sports facilities, including football pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts, a skateboarding park and pathways which are ideal for jogging.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 21:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 19:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Loch Lomond Park

Address: Luss, Alexandria, Glasgow, G83 8PA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1436 860601
Loch Lomond is one of the most famous Lochs in Scotland and is actually the largest area of water inland in the whole of the United Kingdom. Surrounded by a large parkland area, Loch Lomond Park is rich in local wildlife and natural attractions. The park itself is located in the Argyll area and is easy to reach from the city centre, either by bus or car.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Garden admission: free

Drumpellier Country Park

Address: Townhead Road, Coatbridge, Glasgow, ML5 2HD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1236 422257
Drumpellier Country Park became a public park in the early 20th century and covers more than 500 acres / 200 hectares in the suburbs of Glasgow, in the North Lanarkshire area. Drumpellier is popular with anglers and features two large freshwater lochs, rowing boats, a butterfly house, football pitches, a scenic golf course and woodland trails. Nearby is the Blairhill train station.
Open hours: daily - 10:30 to dusk
Admission: free

Calderglen Country Park

Address: Strathaven Road, East Kilbride, Glasgow, G75 0QZ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1355 236644
The Calderglen Country Park is located on the outskirts of Glasgow, in the South Lanarkshire area of Scotland, and is one of the most important gardens in this area. With attractions including ornamental gardens, woodland walks, nature trails, ponds, a café, a large conservatory and a popular visitors' centre, Calderglen Country Park also has a children's zoo, with many friendly farmyard animals, snakes and owls. Close by is the East Kilbride train station, offering good connections to the city centre and beyond.
Open hours: Summer, Monday to Friday - 10:30 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:30 to 18:30, Winter, daily - 11:30 to 16:00
Admission: free

Victoria Park

Address: Victoria Park Drive, Whiteinch, Glasgow, G14 1BN, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 950 1448
Victoria Park, in the West End of Glasgow, in famous for its impressive Fossil Grove, which is full of interesting fossils of plants and trees, dating back many millions of years. This location has been designated as an area of Special Scientific Interest by the Scottish National Heritage and covers around 60 acres / 24 hectares. Other attractions at Victoria Park include formal landscaped gardens, pathways, seating areas, a boating lake and excellent facilities for sports. The Partick train station is within easy reach.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Toryglen Playing Fields

Address: Prospecthill Road, South Toryglen, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, G42
Tel: +44 (0)141 770 0101
The Toryglen Playing Fields, on the South Side of the city, is full of attractions and excellent sports facilities, including football fields, hockey pitches and large open areas of grass. Toryglen serves as a notable recreational park in this area of Glasgow.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 21:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00

Greenbank Gardens

Address: High Flenders Road, Clarkston, Glasgow, G76 8RB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 639 3281
Greenbank Gardens, in the Renfrewshire area, is located to the south-west of central Glasgow. Visitors will find a popular playground area for children, formal landscaping, woodland trails, an attractive 18th-century house and many horticultural specimens.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to dusk
Admission: free

Burns National Heritage Park

Address: Murcoch's Lone, Alloway, Ayrshire, KA7 4PY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1292 441215
Burns National Heritage Park, in Ayrshire on the outskirts of Glasgow, is a Heritage Park and has many attractions relating to the famous Scottish poet, Robbie Burns. These include the Burns Monument, which was built in 1823, the Burns Cottage, the Burns Museum, landscaped gardens, a gift shop, tearooms and an extensive library. The Burns National Heritage Park also boasts spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Culzean Country Park

Address: Maybole, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA19 8LE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1655 884455
Culzean Country Park is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and covers more than 500 acres / 200 hectares. With many attractions for both adults and children, highlights at Culzean include an adventure playground area for children, a deer park, a pond with swans, regular exhibitions, gift shops, a popular restaurant and spectacular views of the surrounding South Ayrshire countryside.
Open hours: Castle, April to October, daily - 11:00 to 17:30,
March and November to December, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 17:30
Country Park, daily - 09:30 to dusk

Dean Castle and Country Park

Address: Dean Road, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, KA3 1XB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1563 522702
Best known for its ancient Scottish fortress, Dean Castle, which dates back more than 600 years, this large Scottish country park is spread over around 200 acres / 81 hectares of attractive countryside. With a popular visitors' centre, a playground for children, a pond with swans, a horse riding centre, regular guided tours and a small zoo, there is always plenty to do here.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 11:00 to 17:00, November to March, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Younger Botanic Gardens

Address: Cowal Peninsula, Benmore, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8QU, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1369 706261
The Younger Botanic Gardens are located in Argyll, on the outskirts of the city, and feature an awe-inspiring avenue of majestic redwood trees, woodland trails, a large pond, a café and some splendid views of the Holy Loch.
Open hours: March to November, daily - 09:30 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families