Pollok Park receives Britain's Best Park award
Pollok Country Park - Best in Britain and Europe

 

Pollok Country Park is the best in Britain and Europe - and it is official 

Europe's Best Park 2008

Following on from the Britain's Best Park award in 2007, Pollok Country Park was crowned Europe's Best Park 2008.

Pollok Country Park beat off strong competition from parks in Italy, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden to lift this prestigious award.

Winning in Europe is a magnificent achievement for the City's largest park.  Pollok's 361 acres of countryside and woodlands, rich natural history and steeped in over 800 years of history, right in the heart of the City offers visitors a unique experience which the judges recognised.

Pollok staff celebrate Europe's Best Park award



Britain's Best Park Award

The park attracts 2 million visitors a year and has a rich and proud history. It boasts not one but two major visitor attractions namely Pollok House, the ancestral home of the Maxwell Family, founders of the Forestry Commission and the National Trust and the internationally famous Burrell Museum showing an outstanding collection of priceless world art. 

This is the first United Kingdom award and adds to a clutch of accolades the city's parks have already attracted including the Botanic Gardens winning Best Park in Scotland in 2006 and Auchinlea the Scottish Best Park Award in 2005.


Councillor Ruth Simpson, Executive Member for Land and Environmental Services, Glasgow City Council said: "We are truly delighted that Pollok Country Park has been judged the best park in Britain. We are very proud that this beautiful, green treasure, within our city has received the recognition it deserves. It is the icing on the cake for our Dear Green Place." 

Pollok offers a unique experience for visitors with its eclectic mix of countryside attractions. A unique concept - a country park set in the centre of a large cosmopolitan City - it has something for everyone.

 

Staff and councillors attend the presentation ceremony

 

The award, which acknowledges the worth of public green spaces and the hard work and dedication of those who look after them, has been running since 2003. It is sponsored by the petrol lawnmower engine manufactures, Briggs & Stratton UK Ltd. The competition is independently judged by gardening journalists from the Sun, Garden News and Horticulture Week, as well as by the sponsor.

This award recognises the park as integral to community life. More than 200 free events and activities are organised within the park annually. For example Pollok Family Day generates 60,000 visitors. There are also regular attractions of free guided tours and healthy walks, a modern £250 000 children's play area, concerts, orchestral evenings and open-air play. In addition, cycle and mountain bike trails, a zip slide and dray rides as well as a stunning stately home make it a great place to visit.