Calderglen Country Park and Zoo — Attraction in Scotland

Calderglen Country Park Review

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Calderglen Country Park, located in East Kilbride near Glasgow, is a delightful escape into nature, offering a variety of activities for all ages. Here's a breakdown of what makes this park a must-visit:

Scenic Beauty: ★★★★☆

The park is a visual treat with its sprawling woodlands, picturesque Calderglen gorge, and the serene River Calder flowing through. The well-maintained gardens and the beautiful nature trails are perfect for leisurely walks and photography enthusiasts.

Wildlife & Nature: ★★★★☆

A highlight of Calderglen is its zoo, which, though small, houses a diverse collection of animals and birds, including meerkats, owls, and exotic reptiles. The zoo provides an educational experience for children and adults alike, promoting awareness of various species.

Facilities: ★★★★☆

The park boasts excellent facilities, including a children’s play area that is well-equipped and safe. The Conservatory, with its tropical plants and fishponds, is a tranquil spot to explore. There’s also a well-stocked gift shop and a charming café offering a range of refreshments and light bites.

Activities: ★★★★☆

For the more active visitors, Calderglen offers a range of activities. There are well-marked walking and cycling paths, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts. The park also features a golf course and plenty of open spaces for picnics and games.

Accessibility: ★★★☆☆

While the park is generally accessible, some of the trails can be challenging for those with mobility issues. However, there are paved paths and accessible facilities available in certain areas, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the park’s main attractions.

Events & Community: ★★★★☆

Calderglen regularly hosts events and activities, particularly during holidays and weekends. From guided nature walks to family-friendly workshops, there’s always something happening to engage the community and visitors alike.

Conclusion:

Calderglen Country Park is a charming and versatile destination for a day out. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat in nature, an educational trip with children, or an active outdoor adventure, this park offers something for everyone. With a few improvements in accessibility, it could easily earn a full...

There are several things to do here (at least in the summer). There are sports matches like cricket in summer, and rugby in winter - free to spectate. There is some sort of a fitness centre? (Check first - I didn't investigate it). There is a small but fun zoo (check admission charge) with meerkats, monkeys, fish and laughing thrushes - and other assorted creatures. There is a selection of meandering riverside waymarked walks following the river Calder through mature woodland - in both directions. And waymarked trails nearer the visitor centre, with its cafe. The cafe is pretty much par for the course. Nothing exceptional, but you can sit outside in the courtyard and get a tan. The woodland walks are lovely in spring - with carpets of wild bluebells, celandines, dog mercury, rampions and other native woodland flowers. I'd expect they are pleasant walks in summer or autumn too. Note that it's not easy getting there by public transport - on foot or by car are the easier options. But the country park would make a pleasant enough day out for a family with children. When I was there there was a small fairground ride too, but it was too small for me. I saw some picknickers - and even a small group of young swimmers near one of...

We had a lovely morning with a wee tot exploring Calderglen. That is until we went for lunch. I am going to start by saying the Red Pepper soup was lovely…. But… we ordered sandwiches, which, unfortunately it made it into the toastie machine for a few seconds prior to being sent out to our table. So neither toastie or sandwich arrived out, we couldn’t eat it. I asked for mine to be sent back and the girl apologised profusely offering a replacement. To which I said sorry no I have been put off its fine. We were then approached by another member of staff. Oh my good grief passive aggressive…. Can I point out that at no time did I either ask for a replacement or a refund and yet I seemed to be taken to task for simply saying sorry it’s not good enough!!! I understand beautiful hot days make staff feel under pressure but all I wanted was for my plate to be taken away and an acknowledgement that a mistake had been made. I never once said that the bread was stale the first girls apology was more than enough… one more thing when you have wee tots at a table it is never advisable to put hot drinks right in front of them (fortunately ours is a wee bit more danger aware and new to sit back). Note to self next time we will...