Bellahouston Park

Bellahouston Park is one of our closest and most visited parks.  There is loads to do and it's well worth a visit.  It seems to be a real "locals" park not a destination.

I'm going to try and describe it starting at the Ski Centre, where there is a little viewing platform to watch people skiing, snowboarding or tubing.  Next door is the House for an Art Lover.  Quite often you can people-watch a wedding or hear some bag pipes.  There is an entrance fee for visiting the House but the sculpture park surrounding it is free.  Somewhere you can pick up different trail maps for the whole park, including a sculpture one.  The offerings from House for an Art Lover keep growing, especially with the building of ARTPARK and the Heritage Centre.  There are lots of classes and exhibitions on.

Beyond this is one of the playgrounds.  This is the artist-designed one.  Not everything in the park is that functional but there are some definite hits.  Some things are a little risky and everything is spread out over quite a distance, so if you have a toddler you do have to stay on your feet and supervise.  Angus really enjoys this play park though.  There is  a walled garden in this area too.

Moving West, there is a Maze (architect-designed), which Angus loves to run around.  There are more sculptures dotted about.  You're coming into dog-walking territory now.  Lots of paths to scoot or cycle on but be aware there is a large, steep hill in the middle of the park.  The area in the centre of the park has lots to explore and see if you can find the Sunken Garden.

Towards Paisley Road West, there is the Palace of Art, which is actually a leisure centre with football pitches.  There is usually football for a sports-mad boy to watch.  Keep going and there is a special section for dogs to play (poo) in and then a little play park.  It's quite old-fashioned but still fun.  You're reaching the end of the park now and Bellahouston Leisure Centre.  If you cross the car park, there is another, newer play park.

Going North, there are cycle tracks and a pitch and putt as well as lots more paths to explore or cycle and scoot along.

It's definitely a park you can pop in to for a play or spend all day if you include lunch and maybe a swim.  My one word of advice would be "wellies", it can very muddy and stay muddy even after a few dry days.

The paths are suitable for buggies/wheelchairs.  Parking-wise you have lots of choice: Palace of Art, Bellahouston Leisure Centre, Ski Centre.  It's all free.  There are toilets at House for an Art Lover, the Bowling Green (not too sure about this one), Palace of Art and Bellahouston Leisure Centre.  This is quite a good offering for a park as they're not the usual dingy park toilets.  There aren't very many benches for a picnic but demand isn't high either.  The Ski Centre cafe is supposed to be good but I have yet to try it.  House for an Art Lover has a lovely posh cafe, which isn't as expensive as you'd think (you would probably need to book at weekends though).  Palace for Art has some vending machines and seats.  Bellahouston Leisure Centre has the usual Encore cafe, which is bright and light.