Dawsholm Park and Local Nature Reserve

Dawsholm Park is a 33 Hectares/ 81 Acres site. Large areas of the park have been left in a natural state. The park is a firm favourite with bird watchers and naturalists alike.

Where is it?

What can I do there?

• A play area with swings and a small slide is located in the large open- space grassed area in the North West area of the park.
• Woodland walks - The park is criss-crossed with a large number of paths which give access through the wooded area.
• The park has an orienteering course. Contact Maps-STAG for maps and events.
• The park has many seats where visitors can rest and observe the wildlife.
• Long distance foot paths cycle ways - The Kelvin Walkway (City Centre to Fort William) / Cycle Way (City Centre to Bearden Milngavie) runs past part of the North West boundary of the park.

When is it open?

The park is open at all times.

History

Glasgow Corporation purchased the area that now forms the park from Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth in 1922. The wooded area of the park was part of Sir Archibald's Garscube estate and was known as the Belvidere plantation. The Corporation also purchased grasslands to the south of the wooded area. An area of blaes bings (waste oil shale mounds) to the east of the woodland was gifted to the Corporation free of charge by Sir Archibald due to the cost of carrying out remedial works. The blaes area was levelled by the Corporation to form a recreation area which until recently had five football pitches and changing accommodation.

Outstanding Features

• Wildlife Habitats - The mature woodland, grassland area and hedges of the park provide cover for a wide range of plants and animals. Visitors can spend hours observing the many species of trees, plants, birds and animals.
• Plant Life - Splendid examples of mature beech trees (Fagus sylvatica), Larch (Larix decidua), Yew (Taxus baccata), Rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) can be seen in the park.
• Animal Life
  • Sparrow hawks (Accipter nisus) can be seen on occasions hunting for prey in the wooded and scrub areas. Until recently these birds of prey were in decline but are now a much more common sight.
  • Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are common in the woodland. This North American species is now common in the urban parks closer to the city centre. The squirrels do not hibernate and in winter can be seen foraging for acorns, beech nuts etc. which they hid in the autumn.
  • Blackbirds (Turdus merula) are the most common song birds in Glasgow. The males have jet black feathers and they have bright orange beaks and legs.
  • Blue tits (Parus caeruleus) are seen often in the trees foraging for food.

Related Content 

Related Links

• STAG Orienteering Club (opens new window)