Pollok Country Park 5.26

Pollok Country Park is a 146ha country park located in Pollok, south Glasgow, Scotland. In 2006 Pollok County Park was named Britain’s Best Park and in 2008, it was named the Best Park in Europe, beating competition from parks in Italy, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden.History and featuresThe park was originally part of the Old Pollok Estate, which was home to the Maxwell family for over 700 years. In 1966 Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald gifted the estate, including Pollok House, to Glasgow Corporation with the condition that it remained a public park. In 1878 the Poloc Cricket Club was established. In 1954 it also became home to Pollokshaws Bowling Club, the land donated by Sir John Maxwell Stirling-Maxwell of Pollok House. The club, an important part of the local community, moved across Pollokshaws Road to celebrate its centenary.The park also contains the Burrell Collection, a purpose-built building designed to hold the large, eclectic antique and art collection of shipping magnate William Burrell, who donated the collection to the City of Glasgow on his death. Another feature of interest is the award-winning fold of Highland cattle. This fold is the most accessible of this species for the majority of Scots. In 2004, three mountain biking routes were opened by Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy. Strathclyde Police's mounted and dog-handling divisions are based in the park.