Almondell and Calderwood Country Park facts for kids
Almondell and Calderwood Country Park is a huge 220-acre country park in West Lothian, Scotland. It's a fantastic place to visit and has even earned a 4-star rating! The park is divided into two main areas: Almondell Park and the Calderwood Estate. Almondell Park was once part of the Almondell estate, which belonged to the Erskine family. The Calderwood Estate used to be owned by the Barons of Torphichen.
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Exploring Almondell and Calderwood Country Park
This amazing park offers lots of fun for families and walkers. You can explore many paths and trails that crisscross the area.
Discovering Almondell Park
Almondell Park follows the path of the River Almond. You'll find many trails here that lead you over different bridges. It's a very popular spot for people who love to walk and for families looking for a day out.
Exploring Calderwood Estate
The Calderwood Estate is a bit wilder and less developed. It has many paths and trails for you to discover. The two parts of the park, Almondell and Calderwood, are separated by Mid Calder town centre. However, they are connected by a path that follows the Murieston Water.
Visitor Facilities and Fun
The park has plenty of space for cars, with four main car parks. These are located near Broxburn, Livingston, Mid Calder, and East Calder. The North car park is closest to the Visitor Centre.
The Visitor Centre is in what used to be the stable block of the Almondell Estate. Here, you can buy drinks, snacks, and gifts. There's also an aquarium, an exhibition room, and rooms you can rent for events. The Countryside Ranger Service is also based here.
You can enjoy many walks through the woodlands and along the river. The park also offers BBQ hire, clean toilets, and a children's play area.
The Historic Nasmyth Bridge
The park is home to the famous Nasmyth Bridge. This bridge crosses the River Almond from the East Calder entrance. It was first built way back in 1810. After it collapsed in the 1970s, it was completely rebuilt in 1997.
See Also
- Country park
- West Lothian
Images for kids
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View of the River Almond from Nasmyth Bridge
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Rocks in the River Almond
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A heron by the River Almond
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A peaceful woodland walk
