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Home to one of Scotland’s grandest Edwardian country homes, Pollok House, and also to the world famous Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park is the largest park in Glasgow. This circular walk takes you past both of these attractions, as well as through quiet woodlands and gardens, along the White Cart Water, through the Old Stable Courtyard, past the kids play area, and also visits the quirky Hobbit Village. Something for everyone!
Buggy friendly walk (with the exception of the Hobbit Village which is built on a steep slope)
Dog-friendly walk
Chargeable car parking at Pollok House (G43 1AT). If using public transport, I suggest joining the route at Pollok Avenue* (see route info below), as you can reach this very easily from Pollokshaws West train station, where there is also a bus stop.
Route: Follow the road back out of the car park entrance and turn right towards the rear of Pollok House. Continue through the stone archway, following the cobbled road through the courtyard and taking a left to return to the main road. You will come to a crossroads – take the road diagonally to the left through a barrier and continue on it uphill through the trees. At the second fork, take the track on the right past an overgrown pond. Just at the end of the pond there is a crossroads – continue straight and then at the fork turn right. The path winds down to the car park at the Burrell Collection. At the first opportunity, cross the car park towards the play park. At the park turn left, cross the road and go through the trees to a footpath. Keep right at a fork to emerge onto Pollok Avenue*. Turn left here and after a short distance cross the road and turn right onto White Cart Way which runs parallel to the river. At the end of the track keep right to go through a gap in the wall and immediately afterwards on your right you will see the hobbit village! When you are finished looking around, return to the bottom of the hill on which they are built and turn right to walk past the nursery and gardens of the Old Stable Yard. Cross through the courtyard and pick up the wide tarmac path past the front of Pollok House. Continuing straight along will lead you back to the parking area.
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Doing this circuit today I found myself wondering why on earth I have not been to Pollok Country Park more in my life. Until recently, one of my best friends lived only a 10 minute walk from it and we could easily have wandered down when I visited. It made me realise how important walking has become in my life over the past year. On deeper reflection I quickly recognised that my time spent in Shawlands generally used to involve a Chinese takeaway followed by lots of alcohol to make The Shed nightclub bearable, followed by a hangover….. not the ideal mix for a countryside walk!
I did meet a friend here around a year ago and I don’t know why I didn’t track that walk for the purposes of my blog…. However I did decide that I was going to map out a route and come back one day to do so. And that brings us to today! School was still out for the Christmas break, the sun was shining, and I had committed to walking 1000 miles in 2017 so I thought I best get some under my belt! The kids did really well to walk the whole distance, with only one tantrum when it came time to leave the play park…. nothing new or unexpected there then! Really enjoyed having the company of my mum and dad for this walk, as well as Fiona who I had only met that day through the #walk1000miles Facebook community.
Use this website often? I invite you to support my work through Patreon or by making a one-off donation.
Use this website often? I invite you to support the continued creation of high quality content through Patreon or by making a one-off donation.
