Glasgow Art and the Park

A major feature of Pollok Park is The Burrell Collection; this is housed in a new building opened in 1983. It consists of a world famous collection of textiles, stained glass, furniture, ceramics, art objects and pictures. It was gifted to Glasgow by Sir William and Lady Burrell when Sir William died at the age of 97. It was nearly 40 years before Glasgow managed to find a site that met the terms of the bequest but the building is remarkable. There is a temporary exhibition gallery, a good restaurant, and a shop. It's open all year (0141-287 2550).

The park itself was donated to Glasgow by the Maxwell family who owned it from 1269 to 1966, it's quite a peaceful place in the middle of the city now. Pollok house is also open to visitors, the homely interior is a good setting for a fine collection of Spanish Dutch and British paintings (Blake, Hogarth, Goya, El Greco and Murillo). The formal gardens round the house are beautiful.

Ross Hall Park is small compared to Pollok Park, but quite attractive with the river running through. There's a wood and some good places to picnic by the river.

The 1938 Empire Exhibition was held in Bellahouston Park, 13,500,000 people visited it. The centrepiece was a 300 foot high tower built on the top of 170 foot high Bellahouston hill. Not a trace of all this remains nowadays. At one time Bellahouston Park also had the biggest amusment park in Europe. Nowadays there is a sports centre which includes a swimming pool with a cafe.

Bell's Bridge near the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in central Glasgow is the hub of the Scottish Cycle Network. Routes from here stretch out to Edinburgh, Inverness and Carlisle (you have been cycling on the latter).

Until the early 1960's this area would have been crowded with ships from all over the world, the SECC is built on what was once the Queens Dock. The Finnieston Crane, used to load steam locomotives on to ships for India, China and the USA is the only reminder of that time. It towers over the surrounding new buildings which makes Bells Bridge quite easy to find.

Route Description

This short circular route will be interesting to visitors to Glasgow and families who are looking for an attractive bike ride on their doorstep. You can get to the start by train. The route between Ross Hall Park and Bellahouston Park is signed as National Cycle Routes 7 and 75. Between Ross Hall and Pollok Park it's signed as route 7.

Pollok Park to Ross Hall Park

Starting from Pollok Park begin at the Dumbreck Road entrance, a light controlled crossing leads across. Dumbreck train station is quite near. A major feature of Pollok Park is The Burrell Collection; this is housed in a new building opened in 1983, . West of the park the route is on cycle path by White Cart Water; reach this by going past Pollok House car park. Keep beside the river and follow bike signs for Paisley. After the park use the footpath and a pelican crossing at a roundabout on Corkerhill Road still following bike signs for Paisley. The route runs through housing estates, again near White Cart Water. After going along Linthaugh Road you cross over into Ross Hall Park on a footbridge near Linthaugh Nursery School. Turn right and go upstream after crossing the river.

Ross Hall Park to Bellahouston Park

This is an area of quiet back streets which should have little traffic except where you have to cross busy roads using the crossings, follow bike signs for Bellahouston. Leave Ross Hall Park with the river on your right passing the new Ross Hall High School building. The crossing to Cardonald Drive is via a footbridge. After this you go round a bowling green, then as you go along Dundee Drive near the railway there's a small rise then a descent. There will be a slight delay at the pelican crossing near Cardonald College (watch children). After crossing Corkerhill Road by the college you go along Bellahouston Drive then cross Mosspark Boulevard to enter Bellahouston Park . Head towards the swimming pool, this has a cafe. The cycle route through Bellahouston Park is flat, if you find yourself going up or down a hill you've taken a wrong turning! Leave the park at the Dumbreck Road entrance, cross this road using the pelican crossing, the cycle route is on the other side.

Bellahouston Park to Pollok Park or Bells Bridge

After the Dumbreck Road exit from Bellahouston Park go along Urrdale Road then turn left to cross the M8 motorway on a footbridge to Clifford Street where you turn right.

If you are going back to POLLOK PARK turn right to another cycle path part way along Clifford Street (entry via Kirkwood Street). After this follow signs for Pollok Park and Paisley. The route to Pollok Park crosses back over the M8 and is mostly dedicated cycle path except where you cross over the M77 on Nithsdale Road near Dumbreck train station. The cycle path ends at the light controlled crossing opposite the park.

To go to BELLS BRIDGE keep straight on to the end of Clifford Street. The route is on ordinary roads. These are back roads but they do cross busier roads, use the crossings at these points.