Pollok Country Park is Glasgow's Rural Idyll
Pollok Country Park surrounds Pollok House and Burrell Collection
May 26, 2009
The 450 hectare park was voted the Best Park in Britain in 2007 and the Best Park in Europe in 2008.
Pollock Country Park Offers a Haven of Peace
Pollok Park offers visitors and wildlife a haven of peace in the form of extensive woodlands and formal gardens.
A long path which runs alongside the White Cart Water River leads from the main entrance towards Pollock House.
The adjoining meadows provide grazing for Glasgow City Council's 100 strong award winning herd of Highland Cattle.
Walkers on the path may also be lucky enough to catch sight of a kingfisher or even an otter in the White Cart Water.
The woodlands are also home to a number of deer. The area they inhabit is identified on the visitors' maps which are displayed at regular intervals along the path.
Pollok Country Park Donated to Glasgow in 1966
The Park was donated to the City of Glasgow in 1966 by the then owner of Pollok House Sir John Maxwell, a founding member of the National Trust for Scotland .
For more than four decades visitors have been able to enjoy not only the extensive woodlands but also the breathtaking formal gardens which surround the house.
The Woodland Garden reflects Sir John's love of rhododendrons. Other species which grow here include
- the Magnolia
- the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus)
- the Beech Tree
- the Handkerchief Tree (Davidia)
The two acre Walled Garden which lies to the east of the house is divided into compartments by yew hedges.
These compartments contain Pollock House's collections of plants as well as seasonal bedding.
Pollok House Stables Are Home to Three Shire Horses
The Old Stableyard adjoins the formal gardens. The stables are home to Baron, Duke and TJ, three of Glasgow City Council's shire horses.
This is the place to visit these popular 'gentle giants' when they're not at pasture in one of the nearby meadows.
The Stableyard is also the location of the Countryside Visitors Centre and the Sawmill.
Pollok House has been the home of the Maxwell family since the 13th century.
Pollok House Contains a Number of Art Collections
The present residence was built in the 18th century and houses collections of
- Spanish art
- ceramics
- silverware
- antique furniture
The house is also the location of an extensive library.
Included in the Pollok House collection are works by the famous artists El Greco and Goya as well as English poet and artist William Blake.
Burrell Collection Contains 9000 Pieces of Art
The Burrell Collection which is housed in a nearby building contains 9000 pieces of art gifted to the city of Glasgow by Sir William Burrell and his wife Constance in 1944.
There are restaurant and toilet facilities at both Pollok House and the Burrell Collection building.
Pollok Country Park Rail and Bus Links
The main entrance to Pollok Park is just two minutes walk from Pollokshaws West Railway Station on Pollokshaws Road.
The station is served by trains to Barrhead which run every half hour from Glasgow Central Station.
Buses 45, 47, 48 and 57 also stop at the entrance from where a shuttle bus runs to various points in the park.
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