Bellahouston Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bellahouston Park |
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| Pàirc Bhaile Ùisdean | |
Entrance Portico at the House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park
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| Type | Public park |
| Location | South Side of Glasgow, Scotland |
| Area | 68.4 hectares (169 acres) |
| Created | 1895 |
| Operated by | Glasgow City Council |
| Status | Open |
| Public transit access | Dumbreck railway station |
| Website | Official Website: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/16580/Bellahouston-Park |
Bellahouston Park (in Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Bhaile Ùisdean) is a large public park located in the south of Glasgow, Scotland. It covers an area of about 71 hectares (175 acres). The park is a popular spot for sports, events, and relaxing outdoors.
The main part of Bellahouston Park was bought by Glasgow Corporation in 1895. It cost £50,000 and opened to the public in 1896. A few years later, in 1899, Glasgow's second public golf course was built here. The park grew even bigger in 1901 and 1903, adding more land.
In 1938, a huge event called the Empire Exhibition was held in the park. Millions of people visited it. Today, only one building from the exhibition, the Palace of Art, still stands. It is now a Sports Excellence Centre. Also, the famous House for an Art Lover, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, was completed in the park in 1996.
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Exploring Bellahouston Park's Past
Until the late 1800s, Bellahouston Park was mostly farmland. It was part of a much larger estate called the Maxwell Estate. This estate also included other well-known parks like Pollok Country Park.
The land was bought by the city of Glasgow in 1895. It officially opened as a public park in 1896. More land was added in the early 1900s. As Glasgow grew, houses were built around the park. To the north, there was once a stadium called "White City," used for racing. Now, this area is part of the M8 motorway and a police headquarters.
Bellahouston Park has hosted many big events over the years. These include:
- The Empire Exhibition in 1938.
- The 1978 IAAF World Cross Country Championships for runners.
- Visits from two Popes: Pope John Paul II in 1982 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
- Many Pipe Band competitions.
- Concerts by famous bands like Coldplay in 2005 and Snow Patrol in 2010.
A tall structure called the Tait Tower was built for the 1938 Empire Exhibition. However, it was taken down when World War II started. A large stone monument in the park remembers the 1938 exhibition. It was revealed by King George VI in 1937. Long-distance races, like the Glasgow Marathon, often pass through the park.
What Can You Do at Bellahouston Park?
Bellahouston Park offers many fun activities and facilities for visitors.
Sports and Recreation
The park is home to the Bellahouston Sports Centre. The Palace of Art Sports for Excellence Centre is also here, using a building from the 1938 exhibition.
- Skiing: The Glasgow Ski Centre has an artificial ski slope. It was created from an old bandstand area and expanded in 2008.
- Golf: There is a "pitch and putt" miniature golf course.
- Other Sports: You can find a bowling club, all-weather hockey pitches, and cycling facilities.
- Playground: Kids can enjoy an adventure playground.
- Orienteering: There's an orienteering course for those who like to navigate.
- Cycling Track: A special cycling track was built in 2006.
- Hospice: Since 2018, the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice has been located in the park.
Gardens and Art
- Walled Flower Garden: The park has a beautiful walled flower garden.
- House for an Art Lover: This unique building was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and opened in 1996. It's a centre for visual arts.
- Elephant Sculpture: An 11-tonne sculpture called "Elephant for Glasgow" is located near the House for an Art Lover. It was made by artist Kenny Hunter.
- Plant Nursery: A part of the park is used by Glasgow City Council to grow plants.
Getting to the Park
The park is easy to reach by public transport.
- Train: Dumbreck railway station is very close, only about 250 meters away.
- Subway: Ibrox is the nearest underground station.
- Motorway: The M8 motorway passes by the park, making it easy to get there by car. There are also permanent car parks and areas used for parking during big events.
Papal Visits to Bellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park has been chosen twice as the location for a special open-air Mass by the Pope.
Pope John Paul II's Visit (1982)
In June 1982, Pope John Paul II visited the park. About 250,000 people attended his Mass. This was the largest gathering ever recorded in Glasgow's history. To prepare for the visit, some parkland was drained to prevent flooding. A few trees were also moved to improve the view of the stage where the Pope would speak. These trees were replanted three years later. A white brick wall that was part of the stage is still there today.
Pope Benedict XVI's Visit (2010)
On September 16, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated an open-air Mass in the park. This was part of his visit to the United Kingdom. Over 71,000 people came to attend this special event.
Concerts and Events
Bellahouston Park is a popular venue for large music concerts.
Glasgow Summer Sessions
Since 2013, Bellahouston Park has hosted the Glasgow Summer Sessions. This is an annual series of concerts held every August. Many famous bands and artists have performed here.
Past Performers
- 2013: Kings of Leon, Avicii, Eminem
- 2014: David Guetta, The Killers
- 2015: Paolo Nutini, Calvin Harris
- 2016: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Biffy Clyro
- 2017: Eminem
- 2018: Kings of Leon, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Kendrick Lamar
- 2019: The Cure, Foo Fighters, The 1975
Cancelled Green Day Concert (2017)
In July 2017, a concert by the band Green Day was cancelled. This happened just 40 minutes before the gates were supposed to open. The concert was called off due to safety concerns caused by bad weather.
Images for kids
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Bellahouston Park during Empire Exhibition of 1938
