Barshaw Park

Barshaw Park is a local park in Paisley, which we love.  Firstly, it has a really good play park.  There are two play parks next to each other.  This is the newer one and more suitable for older children.

Adjacent is an older park, with equipment suitable for younger and older children including lots of baby swings, a zipwire, train and boat themed climbing frames.  There's lots to keep children occupied.  Next to the parks are two areas for bicycles (although we've been known to use a scooter!).  One is road-themed with a long track, road signs etc.

There is also a little BMX, track with lots of hills.  Teenagers would be disappointed with this but mini daredevils would love it.

The paths around the park are smooth and excellent for scooting and cycling.  They go around a huge boating pond, which has swans and ducks.  Most weekends the model boat club are out sailing.

The big highlight of the park for my sons is the miniature railway.  It's £1 per ride per person.  The queue can be quite lengthy but my sons will happily wait.  The railway runs on sunny Saturdays over Summer but not always.

In the background of this photo you can also see the fitness trail, there's kind of two of them and there is always more children on the equipment than grown-ups.

We have recently discovered there is a walled garden and beyond that, at the top of the hill, is an pen with two donkeys, Buddy and Paisley.  The park is much bigger than you first see.

The car park is a decent size but does fill up on sunny weekend days.  There is plenty of roadside parking available too.  The toilets are in the car park.  There is also a cafe with take away kiosk.  The cafe is fairly basic and not our favourite.  There are lots of benches for picnics and lots of green, open spaces.