Pollok Country Park: Glasgow's largest green space

The Burrell’s location right at the heart of Pollok Country Park is one of the things that makes a visit to the museum such a unique experience.

Pollok is the largest of Glasgow's many parks and the only country park within the city boundary. The Burrell is nestled right in the middle, almost like a hidden treasure trove waiting to be discovered.

One of the galleries that has always been a favourite amongst visitors is the ‘Walk in the Woods’, which has been further enhanced, so you can still enjoy the beautiful woodland surroundings, whatever the weather.

Both the park and the Collection that is housed in The Burrell were gifted to Glasgow and its people by two families, who wanted to ensure that residents and visitors to the city would be able to enjoy the wonderful experiences they offer for generations to come.

The museum and the park combine to offer a great day out for all ages and in all seasons; muddy boots will always be welcome in the museum!

The coffee stops and museum restaurant, along with the toilet facilities mean there's easy access to everything you need to enjoy a full day out, and all that the park and the museum have to offer.

Pollok Country Park and its extensive woodlands and gardens attract around 2 million visits each year, while still providing a quiet sanctuary for both visitors and wildlife.

The park has earned some prestigious accolades over the years, recognising the outstanding merit of this designed landscape, featuring attractions for all visitors. In 2007, Pollok won the Best Park in Britain Award and the following year, Best Park in Europe.

It is one of only five landscapes in the city to feature on Historic Scotland’s Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, alongside the Botanic Gardens, the Necropolis, Victoria Park and Kelvingrove Park. The Inventory recognises gardens and landscapes of national importance.

You can learn more about the history of Pollok Country Park from the Glasgow City Council website, where you can download the park’s history and heritage leaflet and a map, which gives all the information you need for a fascinating self-led walk around the park, exploring some of its centuries of history.

An Active Travel Management Plan is currently being implemented to improve access to and around the park through improved public transport and pedestrian links, modifying private car access and vehicular routes within the park, and enhancing connectivity to local areas. There will be more information on how this will improve the park experience for everyone over the coming months.

To protect the beautiful parkland please note overnight camping is prohibited. Barbeques are allowed, provided due care and attention is paid to the risk of fire and of scorch damage to park furniture and grass. We ask that all litter and debris is placed in a suitable rubbish bin or taken away with you at the end of your visit.

Pollok House will close on 20 November 2023 for approximately two years for a major conservation project led by Glasgow City Council. To find out more, visit the National Trust for Scotland website by following this link.

Steeped in 800 years of the history of the Maxwell and Maxwell MacDonald families, the park was gifted to the city in 1966, together with Pollok House, by Anne Maxwell MacDonald. It represents the core of a once extensive estate belonging to the family who had a significant role in Scottish history. The 11th Baronet of Pollok fought for Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Langside in 1568. 

Pollok House is a visitor attraction managed by the National Trust for Scotland. It offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Maxwell family who lived on the site for six centuries. The current house was built for the family in the mid-18th century. You can find out more on the Trust's website here. 

The Glasgow Countryside Rangers team was ‘born’ in Pollok Country Park in 1983, to work with visitors to the city’s parks to enhance understanding and get people involved in monitoring and protecting Glasgow's wildlife and its environment. 

The Rangers also have an important role in fulfilling Glasgow City Council’s duty to promote the Scottish Outdoor Access code and deliver the Glasgow Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), through encouraging responsible behaviour and promoting awareness, understanding and care of the wonderful natural resource that is Pollok Country Park.

All activities and events in the park are currently suspended in line with government guidelines to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and keep staff and visitors to the park safe. However, as the city progresses out of the restrictions, these activities will begin to resume again.

The team offers a wide range of activities and events to suit all ages and different interests, including:

• Outdoor learning for families and adult visitors
• Countryside walks and events
• Wildlife surveys
• Volunteering opportunities to support biodiversity action
• Supporting communities in Greening Glasgow
• The Pollok 50+ club programme
• Promoting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
• Corporate conservation days

No visit to Pollok Country Park is complete without seeing these wonderful animals. 

Established nearly 200 years ago by the Maxwell family. The Pollok Fold were brought down from the highlands of Scotland to graze the ground within Pollok Country Park.

Running 30 pedigree breeding females and 3 adult bulls, we calve mainly from March until June. Spending all year outside due to their double coat of hair, they can always be spotted in the fields within Pollok Avenue.

The young highlanders are born outdoors from March onwards and are simply too cute to describe!

Discover seven things you may not have known about Pollok's prize-winning Highland Cattle with Mel Curran, Livestock Supervisor, over on our People Make Glasgow website HERE