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Polkemmet Country Park
West Lothian Council
Park Centre, Whitburn, West Lothian, EH47 8AD
 01501 743 905
 polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk
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Discover a world of excitement at West Lothian's Polkemmet Country Park,
where the clock has been turned back and a
large area of neglected ground restored to its place as a focal
point of the community.
A variety of sporting activities are available,
reminiscent of the early part of this Century, where
as a private estate it was the home of the social leaders of the
Whitburn area.
Polkemmet Country Park is located on the Western
boundary of Whitburn, on the B7066 Whitburn to Harthill
Road, and it offers the visitor a range of sporting activities
similar to those provided by the Baillie family, who owned
the estate for over 300 years.
Among the facilities are an information centre, golf
course, golf driving range, bowling green, picnic and
barbecue areas, and play areas.
The reception area is located in the converted garages of
the old mansion house, which was itself demolished in the
1960s. The bowling green has been built to the east of the
Park Centre complex, on the site of the old house.
The Baillie family owned the estate from about 1620
until 1957 and they played a significant role in the life of
the local community. One lasting reminder of the family is
the mausoleum, built in 1907 in memory of Robert Baillie,
fourth Baronet of Polkemmet, which still stands in the
grounds.
Early this Century, the family provided a bowling
green, golf course and tennis courts on the estate, and
talented local players were invited along to make use of
the facilities.
When the District Council took over ownership of the
estate in 1978 - after many years of neglect - they decided
to provide similar facilities and open the estate up to the
general public.
The golf course was opened in 1981, followed by a
bowling green, golf driving range, picnic areas and children's
play area.
In addition, in 1994, a large formal barbecue area was
created on the site of the old, overgrown tennis courts and
use of the charcoal grill units can be arranged through the
park reception.
New play provision is planned for 2008/9 and plans are currently
being devised for this new development.
The end result is that this 169 acres Country Park provides
a recreational area of outstanding value and can be described
as "an oasis in a green desert". This relates to the fact that it is
the only area of this part of West Lothian which has
substantial mature tree covering.
The River Almond meanders through the park and along
its course and through the adjacent woodland areas, a
number of pleasant walks can be taken.
Grey squirrel, rabbit, fox and badger are all indigenous to
the park and the diversity of the trees, from conifers to oak,
sycamore, beech and horse chestnut, provide the perfect
environment for a large variety of birds such as great tit, blue
tit, thrush, chaffinch and robin.
Several large carparks provide ample parking for
sportsmen using the facilities and for families just wishing
to relax in a more informal manner, making use of the
barbecue and picnic sites, children's play areas and country
walks to while away an afternoon.
The Ranger Service at Polkemmet offers a range of
activities based on the study of the environment which are
particularly suitable for school groups and small parties.
The park centre complex serves as a focal point for the
park, where information on all activities is available.
The nine hole golf course, reckoned by many to be the
most attractive course in West Lothian, winds its way round the park before returning
to end near the bowling green. It is open daily for play,
weather permitting, at the discretion of the Greens staff.
The driving range, the only one in West Lothian, is situated
to the west of the centre complex and is floodlit to allow
customers to play in the evening.
The bowling green, the first ever constructed by the
District Council, is open daily during the bowling season.
Open: Park open all year.
Golf course: Summer 7 days 7am-9pm, Winter Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat/Sun 9am-4.30pm.
Driving Range: Summer Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat/Sun 9am-9pm, Winter Mon-Fri 12pm-8.30pm, Sat/Sun 10am-4.30pm.
Prices: Admission to park free.
Facilities: Picnic area, Car park, Coach parking, Toilets, Baby changing facilities, Pushchair access, Wheelchair access, Wheelchair partial access, Guided tours, Visitor centre, Shop, Dogs allowed, Countryside Ranger Service.
Travel Directions: From the east, leave the M8 at junction 4 and follow the signs to the Park - on the B7066 between Harthill and Whitburn. From the West, leave the M8 at Junction 5 and travel through Harthill on the B7066; the Park is on the left, before you reach Whitburn.
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| All details are provided in good faith from information given to us.
However, some information may be out of date, so you are advised to check with a site before visiting.
If you find any errors, please
let us know.
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