Location
Victoria Park Drive North

Glasgow

G14

The park is located in the Scotstoun area in the West End of Glasgow. The main entrances  to the park are from Westland Drive, Victoria Park Drive North and Balshagray Avenue.

Opening Times
Victoria Park is open 7.00a.m. till dusk

Opening times for the Fossil Grove may differ. 

Please note: The opening times for the Fossil Grove in Victoria Park have been subject to several changes.  For up to date information on opening please consult the The Fossil Grove page at the Glasgow Museums website.

Quick Links
Facilities, History, Travel, Contact Details, The Fossil Grove

Outstanding Features

• The memorial honoring local residents who died in the two world wars is a  major feature of the park.

• The pond has two small islands, the larger of which is connected on both sides by rustic iron bridges.
• Curiously, there are two curling rinks in the park both beside the arboretum.
• The restored four-dial miniature lamp post clock, donated by William Gordon Oswald in 1888, is still working almost 120 years later.
  • Four plaques on the base bear the following inscriptions denoting:
    • Partick Burgh coat of arms
    • Artistic floral details
    •  ‘Now is the day of Salvation’
    •  ‘Victoria reigns 1887’
• The Jubilee Gates situated at the Victoria Park Drive North entrance were erected and funded by the ‘Ladies of Partick’ in 1887.
  • manufactured by Macfarlane’s Saracen foundry at a cost of £100, they bear Partick Burgh coat of arms 
  • as a result of the works to the Clyde Tunnel approach roads, the gates were moved from their original location at Balshagray Avenue
  • the gates were restored in their centenary year - 1987
• The Fossil Grove - During the construction of Victoria Park in the late 19th century, when a pilot channel for the road was cut through a large area of rock, the builders discovered beautifully preserved fossil tree trunks. The route for the road was diverted and the sand and shale further excavated to reveal many more fossils. Back to Top

Facilities
The park is patrolled regularly by the Ranger Service and has a wide variety of facilities to suit all age groups.

• orienteering course
• model yachting pond
• children’s play areas
• bowling greens
• tennis courts
• the park is a popular location for wedding photographs

Also within the parks grounds you can find

• The Fossil Grove Museum

Local Facilities

• Public toilets
  • At the West of the Boating Pond
  • Bowling Pavilion
  • Fossil Grove Museum (disabled access)
    
• Public telephone
  • Fossil Grove Museum

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Events in the Park
The park is at the centre of a vibrant community, hosting many local events, in particular the Whiteinch Fair festival at the end of July. Attractions include:

• The park is the home ground of Victoria Cricket Club and Hyndland FC Rugby Club
• Walks arranged by the Countryside Rangers to educate children about the environment are held throughout the summer
• Exciting play areas for children

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History
The park was formally opened by the Lord Provost of Glasgow Sir Andrew McLean on the 2nd July 1887.

• The area near the Fossil Grove is one of the finest rock gardens in Europe. While many of the plants are not strictly of the rock garden variety, the area is hauntingly beautiful in summer.
• The arboretum was originally designed as an educational facility
• In the early 1960’s a sizeable area of the park was sacrificed to make way for the approach roads to the Clyde Tunnel and Expressway.
• A winding trail leading to the Mound was built in the 1960’s to compensate for areas of the park lost to road development.