The summer holidays are nearly upon us and over the last few years we’ve all missed out on the amazing venues right on our doorstep. If you have children to entertain there is so much to see and do here in East Renfrewshire including beaches, parks, historic attractions and museums right on our doorstep. Here are our top picks for days out with the children and with such great transport links into Glasgow from the southside, here are some ideas for days out in the city.
This is one of Glasgow’s most impressive family attractions, presenting science and technology in unique and inspiring ways. It has lots of activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained for hours. There are two acres of interactive exhibits, workshops, shows, activities, a planetarium and an IMAX cinema. You could spend a whole day here and still come back for more!
Find out more and plan your visit to the Glasgow Science Centre.
This is a day out that you won’t tire of, Pollok Estate and Country park is Glasgow’s only, and largest, country park. With extensive woodlands and gardens, it was formerly part of the Old Pollok Estate and home to the world-famous Burrell Collection which has opened after a period of refurbishment. The park features walled gardens, a play park, countryside ranger centre, wildlife garden, highland cattle, riverside walks and picnic areas. The historic Pollok House is one of the National Trust’s grandest properties with vast servants’ quarters, an impressive collection of Spanish Art and kitchen café.
Find out more and plan your visit to Pollok House and Country Park.
Named the UK’s Best Park 2016, this historic park is spread over 143 acres and is located next to Giffnock, Newton Mearns and Thornliebank. Dating back to around 1530 it was gifted to the people of Glasgow in 1906. It’s a mix of formal and informal spaces with a beautiful duck pond and café, a recently renovated children’s play area, skate park, gym equipment dotted throughout the park, learning pavilion, walled gardens, garden centre, woodlands and a waterfall.
Find out more and plan your visit to Rouken Glen Park.
Greenbank Garden is set within a secluded wooded area within in Newton Mearns and features Greenbank House and stunning walled gardens designed to inspire domestic gardeners. It has a beautiful pond with a historic bronze centrepiece, a Victorian greenhouse, café, plant shop, children’s lawn games and musical instruments and an indoor area for children’s activities.
Find out more and plan your visit to Greenbank Garden.
House for an Art Lover is set within Bellahouston Park and is inspired by the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It combines an art gallery and exhibition space, café, artist studios and a fantastic children’s outdoor play area.
Find out more and plan your visit to the House for an Art Lover.
Pay once and visit all year. This is a fabulous family attraction, with a museum featuring historic information and items from a working farm. There is an outdoor children’s play area, a tractor ride up to the farm where you can see pigs, sheep, cows, chickens and goats. The farmhouse has been retained as it was in the 1950s and you can wander around the farmyard featuring activities for children. It’s especially enjoyable in the spring during lambing season! There are several picnic areas and an indoor café.
Find out more and plan your visit to the National Museum of Rural Life.
Whitelee Windfarm and Visitor Centre is the UK’s largest onshore windfarm. Located on Eaglesham Moor, it has 215 turbines and over 130 kilometres of trails to walk or cycle with free parking and entry to the visitor centre with a learning hub, café, bus tours, and souvenir shop. Entry is free.
Find out more and plan your visit to Whitelee Farm.
Glasgow’s award-winning transport museum has over 3,000 objects on display highlighting transport through the ages. It has interactive displays, trams, trains and buses that you can climb onboard and information on Glasgow’s rich shipbuilding history.
Located outside the museum is the Tall Ship ‘Glenlee’. It’s one of only five Clyde built ships still afloat in the world today and she is the only one of her kind in the UK. Climb on board for children’s activities, café and play area. Entry to both attractions is free and there is plenty of parking.
Find out more and plan your visit to the Riverside Museum and Tall Ship.