|
Winter in Pollok
Country Park
After more than a decade living
in Glasgow, Pollok Country Park to me is still a gem in the city. Before I had a child, I had my allotment there, went
running in the large expanse of this urban park with a real country feel to it, or visited the Burrell Collection, one of
the finest museums of Scotland and possibly the UK. Now, with child, the Park still has a magic spell, and never more so than
in winter.
Today was a dreich and foggy day, the leafless trees reaching into the cold and humid winter air. It
was one of these Scottish Days where it doesn't truly get light, the dusky feel to the park made it look a little bit
mysterious and even exciting. Pollok Country Park is the largest of Glasgow's many parks and, as the name suggests, has
a real country feel to it. It's set in the southern edge of the city, about 3 miles from the centre, with the River Cart
winding its slow path through it. It is part of the former Pollok Estate. Thankfully, the family bequeathed the park
to the people of Glasgow and, as a consequence, like many museums and attractions in Glasgow, it is free of charge.
It is rich in things to do, striking the balance between being a popular destination for a family day out and still
offering spots for quiet contemplation. In the summer, it hosts Pollok Family Day, a massive event with a crafts' fair,
country living activities and more. In the winter, Pollok House hosts a Victorian style Christmas decoration and the lovely
Mrs Claus, as well as horse pulled coach tours.
On ordinary days, Pollok Park invites the visitor to take a stroll
along the beautiful banks of the River Cart, woodland walks that take you away from the bustling city. On the way, you will
be able to take a very close look at the fluffy Highland cattle, the calves resembling more a life-size Steiff soft toy than a real animal. There are
many picnic places, and the surroundings of Pollok House offer something for the whole family: be it a look at the heavy horses (if you're lucky, you can watch their hooves being cut; all horse care is done
in public so that anyone who is there can find out a bit more about the heavy horses), a run through the hedge maze (just
the right height for toddlers to get them excited but not frightened), explore the walled gardens, vegetable patches or secret
tunnels. There is a waterfall and a countryside rangers centre. At the edges of the Park, you'll find two allotment areas
and even two golf courses, which gives an idea of the size of the Park. There is so much to discover, how about this secret
tunnel, shown to me by a toddler (who clearly had better eyes for secret tunnels than me):
One of the attractions of Pollok Country Park is Pollok House, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and thus charges for a visit. However,
the cafe is free and allows visitors to explore a Victorian style kitchen and garden, with plenty of original features, a
cosy coffeeshop with a beautiful terrace surrounded by a typical English garden. The cafe itself is beautifully maintained,
with high quality food and a very pleasant atmosphere. Next to the cafe are two shops which offer typically Scottish and traditional
fare.
The Burrell Collection (entry to which is free) must be one of the most extraordinary collections in the
UK, if not in Europe. William Burrell was an idiosyncratic art collector and bequethed the collection to the city of
Glasgow, on the condition that a purpose built building would host it outside of the then rather polluted city. The museum
building itself incorporates some of this art, such as arches, stones and stained-glass windows. It is spacious, offering views
into the Park woodlands: a stunning building, which is family-friendly and perfect for either a short
or a long visit. It is serviced by a modern cafe (a nice contrast to the Victorian atmosphere of the cafe at Pollok House)
and a gift shop.
Most recently, there has been a big controversy about a proposed 'Go Ape' development
in Pollok Country Park. As the Park belongs to the people of Glasgow, and 'Go Ape' would have charged a significant
amount for the use of a large area of the Park, there was a furious campaign against the plans. The campaigners managed to
ensure that the whole of Pollok Park would remain freely accessible to the people of Glasgow. Since October 2009, Glasgow's
first forest kindergarten has opened its "doors" to pre-school children, which in my opinion is an excellent idea.
The Park truly offers a sense of wilderness and open space, rural history at the doorstep to Scotland's biggest city and
is truly a green lung for the city.
Oh, and did I mention the play park next to the Burrell Collection? With so
much to offer, it is easily missed. However, it is a lovely play park that offers a range of activities for different
ages and is also set against the backdrop of the beautiful woodlands.
So what does a toddler think of Pollock
Park? She loves to run through the maze, balance on the little walls, visit the heavy horses, see the waterfall, run on the
lawn, climb stairs and explore tunnels. She loves being scared of the two stone lions, playing chase and throwing twigs
into the water. She loves the mud, the puddles, the branches, the berries on the hedges, the swing park, the cafe. Her verdict
when we had to call it a day: "I want to go home not, please mummy?"
Pollok Country Park is easily accessible
by public transport, with direct bus and train connections to Glasgow city centre.
By Cartside
at Mummy Do That!
Lunchtime at Tollcross Park
Tollcross Park is fast becoming my favourite lunchtime hangout (apart from those days where my legs are sore from unaccustomed exercise
and I opt for selfsame park instead). Located in the heart of Glasgow's East End, it's nothing short of a gem. It's not massive, but big enough to get away from the hustle and noise of
the city and it's hilly enough to make even a short jog a real workout; the size is ideal for those 40-minute brisk
walks that I've set my mind on to make up for my new car commute to work.
All of that aside, it's fabulous for a day out with children. One
of its main attractions is the Children's Zoo, with all the farm animals you could wish for; a rather tame pair of peacocks,
goslings and even eggs that Mrs Hen has just laid. Complete with a fun Rangers’ Centre (as in people who work outdoors,
not the football team, we're definitely in Celtic land when in Tollcross), it's good for hours of fun. The Centre
even has drawing activities, apart from all that interesting stuff about nature.
The
nearby Glasshouse can be reached by walking past paddocks of sheep, llamas and highland cows, as well as a beautiful glen
walk along a little waterway, with picnic tables and rose gardens next to it. Even if you've forgotten to take your picnic,
do not fret, because food is available both at the Glasshouse and at the nearby Tollcross Leisure Centre. While the Leisure
Centre beats the Glasshouse for food range and value for money, the Glasshouse is an attraction in itself, with
its tropical plants and, above all, a small soft-play area.
After all that
activity, a toddler may want to nap in the buggy while mummy and daddy go for an extended walk through the lovely
Park.
By Cartside at Mummy Do That!
|
