The 10 best parks in Glasgow

Home to some of Scotland’s finest parks, Glasgow has a bit of everything on offer, ranging from wild forest trails and scenic waterfalls to refined manor gardens.

To help you choose which of these is the right one for your park needs, we've compiled a list of what we think are the best parks in Glasgow, meaning that if you're keen to find some gorgeous trails and spaces to explore, you're in the right place!

Pollok Country Park

A country park in the city itself, Pollok Country Park is not only a space for people to enjoy a beautiful green space, but it's also home to the world-famous Burrell Collection of artworks.

In Pollok Country Park, you'll find an impressive number of woodland walks, several walled gardens, a play area for the young ones, as well as a fun orienteering course, with maps available at the park manager’s office.

As a bonus, you'll also be able to see several highland cattle graze there, easily making this one of the best parks in Glasgow.

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Kelvingrove Park

A popular park for those living in the heart of Glasgow, Kelvingrove Park lends a healthy dose of green to its urban surroundings, providing workers in the city’s more commercial West End with somewhere to get a bit of fresh air during their lunch break.

The park is also known for its bowling and croquet greens, as well as its bandstand and skate park. However, perhaps the park is most notable for the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum – a free entry museum with 22 galleries and an wide selection of fascinating exhibits.

Dowanhill Park

One of the best play parks in Glasgow, Dowanhill Park’s layout is designed around its gated children’s park, which sits at its very centre.

An excellent spot for safe, independent play, the playground has plenty of space for little ones to wander around and makes for an exciting day for kids.

A grassy, hilly park, Dowanhill Park is protected by Fields in Trust – an organisation that looks to preserves some of Britain’s most treasured green spaces.

Set of chain swings on modern kids playground, kids swinging on back

Newlands Park

As with the aforementioned Dowanhill Park, Newlands Park is one of the green spaces of significance that’s protected by Fields in Trust.

The park is home to several gardens, including a rose garden, pergolas and a rock garden, all of which are looked after by the Friends of Newlands Park. You can also find seveal tennis courts, as well as a children’s play area for the little ones.

As one of the best parks in Glasgow, a visit to Newlands Park makes for the perfect afternoon the next time you have a weekend free with the family.

Maxwell Park

A small but absolutely beautiful park situated in the centre of Pollokshields, Maxwell Park surrounds the impressive Burgh Hall.

A haven of calm and serenity for people local to the area, the park’s pathways are perfectly lined with majestic rows of trees, and its mellow ponds provide the ideal backdrop for a relaxing, stress-reducing walk.

Perfectly complementing Pollokshield’s idyllic aesthetic, Maxwell Park is a source of great pride for the area and is one of its most popular landmarks.

Linn Park

A local nature reserve, Linn Park also happens to be the third biggest park in Glasgow!

Surrounded by extensive woodland that stretches across 200 acres, Linn Park is particularly popular amongst avid golfers thanks to its 18-hole public golf course.

If that wasn't enough, it also has its own equestrian centre, as well as an orienteering course and a couple of children’s play areas.

Add to that several impressive architectural landmarks, including the grand Linn House mansion that sits at the centre of the park, and the ruins of the historic Cathcart Castle, and you have everything available for the perfect day out.

Rosshall Park

Slightly more rugged than its counterparts but not without its own charm, Rosshall Park is known for its slightly wilder aesthetic, swapping leisure facilities and play areas for caves and rock gardens.

If you’re something of an adventurer and prefer a park with a bit of character, this is the place for you. There are countless forest trails for you to explore and the park also has a lovely duck pond too.

For a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow, head down to Rosshall Park

Queen’s Park

Queen’s Park is a park with a little bit of everything. With several display glasshouses as well as an aviary and a pethouse, the park might resemble an eco-conservatory, but it's much more than that.

With several leisure facilities including a few floodlit tennis courts, a skate park, and an amphitheatre, Queen’s Park also has many options for visitors who are after a more active experience.

However, Queen’s Park is perhaps most famous for being the home of the Poetry Rose Garden – a tribute to Scotland’s great poets through the ages, cementhing both its place as a part of Scotland’s cultural tapestry, but also as one of the top parks in Glasgow.

Rouken Glen Park

A wonderful park ideally situated right by the river, Rouken Glen Park is known for being a great spot for pleasant riverside walks, with one of its biggest draws being its breathtaking waterfalls.

Aside from beautiful views of the river, visitors to the park can also take advantage of its free parking, tennis and table tennis facilities, as well as its skate parks and children’s playground.

The park also has several cafés and restaurants, including the popular Boater’s Café, for visitors to take advantage of.

Alexandra Park

Named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, Alexandra Park is particularly popular amongst locals thanks to its 9-hole golf club.

You'll find a big, beautiful pristine pond situated right in the centre of the park, and from its highest point, visitors can take in incredible views of both Ben Lomond and the Tinto hills.

In terms of key landmarks, the park is home to the Saracen Fountain – a Victorian architectural triumph that needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. .