Name: Polkemmet Country Park
Rating: 5.0

Polkemmet Country Park

Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, Bathgate, UK

1-90 Years

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Polkemmet Country Park is a 68 hectare visitor attraction located near Whitburn in Scotland. Once a historic estate, it is now a popular outdoor destination with woodland and riverside landscapes. The park offers a mix of natural beauty, recreation and historical elements for visitors to explore.

Visitors can enjoy woodland and riverside walks, cycling, horse riding and orienteering, along with a play area featuring equipment such as a sand pit, castle, flying fox, nets and swings. The park also includes a golf course, driving range, Visitor Centre, picnic areas and a weekly 5k park run. Trails such as the Blue and Red waymarked routes and attractions like the interpretative tree trail and horn sculpture add to the experience.

Entry to the park is free.

Overall, Polkemmet Country Park offers a relaxing and active outdoor experience for visitors of all ages. With a wide range of activities, scenic trails and family-friendly facilities, it is ideal for both recreation and leisure. It is a great place to enjoy nature, exercise and spend time outdoors in a peaceful setting.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Polkemmet Country Park is a popular 68 hectare (168 acre) visitor attraction near Whitburn. The Park offers beautiful woodland and riverside walks, play area and picnic areas with seating.
As the historic home of the Baillie family, Polkemmet was once a thriving estate which boasted the grand Polkemmet House and amenities including stables, tennis courts and a golf course.
In the last hundred years, the estate has been utilised for many different things, including for the war effort, and as a home for the Trefoil School.
The Country Park was opened in 1981, and remnants of Polkemmet's rich history can still be seen in the Park today. The River Almond runs through the entire length of the Park and there are over 6.5km of trails, including the Blue and Red waymarked routes.
The Visitor Centre within the old stable complex provides a warm welcome with information, advice, snacks and refreshments, as well as also being the point of access to the Scottish Owl Centre. The reception handles bookings for the golf and driving range within the park.

Facilities

Parking: Four car parks provide good access to all the Park's facilities.

What to see

Driving Range: Polkemmet Driving Range is a 15 Bay Floodlit Driving Range, situated midway between Whitburn and Harthill on the B7066, and is set against a scenic backdrop of mature woodland. The Driving Range is an authorised ClubGolf coaching centre, with group coaching for 6-12 year old kids keen to try the sport. Along with a high quality of range balls and mats, there is also the availability to hire clubs.
Golf: The Golf Course is a challenging 9-hole, Par 37, with a picturesque and demanding last green which can only be reached by a formidable shot over the river valley. This parkland course was opened in 1981 and is surrounded by mature woodland, with the River Almond meandering through a number of holes. Measuring 3253 yards for men, and 2412 yards for ladies, with two Par 5s and one Par 3, Polkemmet Golf Course is designed to welcome men, women, beginners and juniors to the game, but also provides a stern challenge for the experienced golfer.
Play Area: Our 'Miners play area' is a award winning facility set in mature trees and grassland near the Visitor Centre and toilets. There is a wide range of play equipment for all ages to enjoy, including features such as a sand pit, castle, flying fox, nets and swings. There are some nature inspired seats and art works as well. This space has a lovely open design to it, making it easier to keep an eye on playing children.
Cycling: Polkemmet sits conveniently between Harthill and Whitburn and, as such, is very popular with cyclists looking for a bit of breathing space in a beautiful environment. Many cyclists will cycle to the Park on the wide paths that sit alongside the old Glasgow road. There is a securable cycle rack in the 'Dardanelles' train car park.
Walking: There are some beautiful woodland and riverside walks, including two, easy to follow, colour coded waymarked trails for visitors to enjoy. The routes are circular, starting and finishing at the Visitor Centre. Most of the paths are surfaced or firm, but can get muddy and wet after heavy rain or in the wintertime. Enjoy a walk down to the giant horn sculpture or follow the interpretative tree trail.
Horse Riding: We have a few tracks in the Park that are suitable for horses and ponies. Please call the Visitor Centre to check the route details. Please note that horse-riders are asked to be considerate to other user groups by removing horse droppings whenever possible or kicking to the side of the road/track and to avoid using the tracks when the going is particularly wet or soft.
Orienteering: Polkemmet Country Park offers a 17 marker permanent fixed course with introductory, intermediate and hard courses. All orienteering maps are available from Interlopers Orienteering Club(opens new window).
Park run: Free, weekly, 5k timed run around Polkemmet Country Park. Every Saturday at 9.30am in front of the bowling green.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The Park is open throughout the year. The Visitor Centre and public toilets are closed on the 25 December and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.

Address: Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, Bathgate, UK

Post Code: EH47 0AD

Council: Whitburn

County: Edinburgh and Lothia

Leave the M8 at J4A Heartlands coming from Edinburgh and J5 coming from Glasgow, following the signs to the Country Park which lies on the B7066, midway between Whitburn and Harthill. The Country Park is next to the new Heartlands development. Four car parks provide good access to all the Park's facilities:

Train Car Park (good access to Play Area and Owl Centre)
Golf Car Park - ChargePlace provide 4 charging points within Polkemmet Country Park
Driving Range Car Park
South Car Park