Quick Links
Facilities, History, Travel, Contact Details
Size
71 Hectares (175 Acres)
Outstanding Features
- There are several points of horticultural interest such as the walled garden with its fine collection of ferns and daffodils collected by the 19th century plant collector Peter Bar who lived locally. It also boasts a wide variety of herbaceous perennials, wall-trained shrubs, Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, and annual borders.
- The House for the Art lover also has a less formal garden consisting of mixed shrubs and herbaceous borders with a collection of heathers and heaths.
- the flanks of the central Ibroxhill is clothed in Rhododendrons and under planted with a vivid display of spring daffodils. It affords views over much of the city and as far as Ben Lomond on a clear day.
Also located here is a granite stone unveiled by King George VI on 9th July 1937 which marked the site of the Empire Exhibition of 1938 and was subsequently relocated to where it stands today.
House for an Art Lover and The Walled Garden in Bellahouston Park
Facilities
The park is patrolled regularly by the Ranger Service and has a wide variety of facilities to suit all age groups:
- Cycling Activity Centre
- Two Bowling Greens
- 18 Hole Pitch and Putt Course
- Please Note: these are both seasonal facilities and are subject to opening times phone 0141 276 0811.) Pitch and putt equipment can be obtained at the Bowling Green area
- Three Play Areas
- Orienteering Course
- Walled Garden
- Sunken Garden
- Horseshoe Garden
- Monument for the Empire Exhibition
- Popes Wall
- Portico Entrance
- Empire Exhibition Commemorative Cairn
Also within the parks grounds you can find:
- Bellahouston Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool
- an "All Weather" Hockey Pitch
- an "All Weather" Running Track
- Palace of Art Centre for Sports Excellence Centre
- Charles Rennie MacIntosh House for an Art Lover
- Glasgow Ski Centre
Paths
There is an extensive network of asphalt footpaths, which are suitable for walking, cycling as well as wheelchair and pram access.
A view to the south and the Palace of Art, Bellahouston Park
Local Facilities (some may be subject to opening times)
- public toilets
- Bellahouston Leisure Centre
- Bowling Green
- House for an Art Lover
- public telephone
- Bellahouston Leisure Centre
- House for an Art Lover
- Paisley Road West
- Mosspark Boulevard
Events in the Park
Scottish Women's 10k Race
Events such as the Scottish Women’s 10k Race and the Irn Bru Live and Loud Concert are a feature of the park as are a number of smaller local events.
Irn Bru Live and Loud Concert, Bellahouston Park
History
The main part of Bellahouston Park was acquired by the City in 1895 for the sum of £50,000 and opened to the public in 1896.
- three years later, the city’s second municipal golf course (now an 18 hole pitch and putt) was established at Bellahouston following the success of the course at Alexandra Park
- the park was extended in 1901 by the addition of a part of Dumbreck Lands purchased for the sum of £2,824 from Sir John Maxwell, Bart.
- a further addition was made in 1903 by including the lands of Ibroxhill at a cost of £40,222 from which commanding views of the city are available.
- in 1938 the famous Empire exhibition was held at the park.
- the site took only fourteen months to build and the cost of admission was one shilling.
- a mammoth attendance of 12 .5 million was recorded and despite this, the exhibition made a loss of £130,000.
- today, of the 200 palaces and pavilions that were built for the exhibition only the Palace of Art remains - it now serves as a Sports Excellence Centre.
- a stone Peace Cairn built for the exhibition is still visible from the rock garden.
- in 1996 Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s House for an Art Lover was completed from original drawings of 1901 and now serves as contemporary centre of excellence for the visual arts.
- in 1982 the park was the venue for the visit of Pope John Paul II which attracted 280,000 people and part of the ceremonial platform still remains.
Empire Exhibition, 1938
Travel
- Rail - Trains travel from Central Station to Dumbreck Railway Station, which is a 5-minute walk from the park
- Bus - Various routes operate from the city centre to Paisley road West and Moss Park Boulevard
- Car - The park is located adjacent to Junction 23 and 24 Exits of the M8 motorway and car parking is available at The House for an Art Lover off Dumbreck Road and at Bellahouston Sports Centre off Bellahouston Drive (all car parks have lighting).
- Walking - Access points available from Dumbreck Road, Paisley Road West, Bellahouston Drive and Mosspark Boulevard.
- Cycling - The park forms part of the Glasgow to Irvine and Ardrossan Cycle Route (Number 75)
The Walled Garden and House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park
Leaflet
Bellahouston Park Leaflet (PDF 1017k) - This leaflet contains both a map and further information on the park. Please note that some areas of the leaflet will display upside down, as it is intended to be printed and folded over.
Contact Details
Land and Environmental Services General Enquiries
Phone: 0141 287 5918
E-mail: les@glasgow.gov.uk
Charles Rennie MacIntosh House for an Art Lover
Phone: 0141 353 4770
Palace of Art Centre for Sports Excellence Centre
Phone: 0141 427 5776
Glasgow Ski Centre
Phone: 0141 427 4991
Public Transport Journey Information
Traveline Scotland
Phone: 0871 200 22 33
Back to top