Countryside and wildlife

 

 

Countryside Ranger Activity Programme

The Countryside Ranger Service Activity Programme for 2012 is currently being developed and will be available soon

For further information please see: http://www.beecraigs.com/ranger/ranger_prog.htm (new window) 


 

West Lothian's Country Parks

Beecraigs Country Park

A one thousand-acre Country Park offering a wide range of recreational opportunities including trout fishery, animal attraction, target archery course, orienteering, pioneering, climbing wall, adventure play space, BBQ and picnic areas, woodland walks and a caravan/camping site, restaurant and a bar. 

There is a Countryside Ranger Service to assist the public in their enjoyment of the countryside.  Activities, guided walks, environmental education, illustrated talks and summer events are on offer from the Ranger Service.  The Park Centre offers advice, craft sales, venison, booking service for facilities and activities, and refreshments and confectionery.

Contacts:  The Park Centre, Beecraigs Country Park, Nr Linlithgow, EH49 6PL.  Tel. 01506 844516 Fax. 01506 846256 E-mail. mail@beecraigs.com   or visit the official Beecraigs Website. (new window)



Almondell and Calderwood Country Park

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park is a 220-acre Country Park in Mid Calder, offering woodland and riverside walks, picnic areas and seating and barbecue facilities (although booking for barbecues is essential).  The Park's Visitor Centre also has an aquarium,  a function room and sells refreshments.  The Ranger Service based at the Country Park arranges talks, school visits and summer events.

Contacts:  The Ranger Service and Visitor Centre can be contacted on 01506 882254.  Contact can also be made by e-mail on almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk



Polkemmet Country Park

Polkemmet Country Park in Whitburn covers 169 acres and offers everything from a nine-hole golf course, driving range and bowling green, to play areas, trails and barbeque and picnic sites.   Rubenesque bridal (new window)  and Ivory Tower Cakes Ltd (new window) are also based here. The Country Park's Ranger Service leads walks and activities & offers an environmental education Service.

Contacts:  The Ranger Service and Visitor Centre can be contacted on 01501 743905.  Contact can also be made by e-mail on polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk


Download the Country Park Leaflets

Before coming to our Parks, you may wish to download and print a copy of the Country Park's leaflet.  The documents will open in a new window or tab.  Close it to return here.  They are PDF documents, which can be downloaded for viewing or printing using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.  If you do not have this software, please  download it FREE from Adobe (new window)


Countryside Bulletin

Wanting to know more about what goes on in West Lothian three Country Parks or what projects are presently underway, then visit the  Bulletin (new window)  page for the latest news. Should there be a project or news item you think could be covered, then contact  mail@beecraigs.com  and let them know!


updated 13/09/2011

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

Are there maps of the parks?

Maps can be found in all of the car parks, in the Park Centres and http://www.beecraigs.com/Country_Parks/index.htm

Can I take my horse to Beecraigs? Do I need a permit?

No, you do not need a permit. Many local horse-riders make good use of routes through Beecraigs. If you are riding up to Beecraigs from Linlithgow, an off-road route is available from Preston Road, through Hillhouse Woodland linking into the main body of the Park (contact the Park Centre for further information). Should you be bringing a horse box to the Park, please ring the Park Centre well in advance and the bus park shall be opened for your use.

How can I book the bbq site at Beecraigs, Polkemmet or Almondell and how much will it cost?

You can book the barbecue site through the park's visitor centre. The cost is £19.90 per session per barbecue site. BBQ sites are available to hire from April to the end of October. Sessions available from 10am to 2pm/2:30pm to 5:30pm/6:30pm to 11pm To book a barbecue at Almondell contact 01506 882254 or e-mail almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk. To book a barbecue at Polkemmet contact 01501 743905 or e-mail polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk. To book a barbecue at Beecraigs contact 01506 844516 or e-mail mail@beecraigs.com or visit www.beecraigs.com.

How do I book the caravan and camping site facility at Beecraigs?

Contact the Beecraigs Park Centre on 01506 844516 to book your pitch on the site or online at http://www.beecraigs.com/campsite/campsite.htm

How do I contact Beecraigs Sawmill?

Monday - Thursday: 08:00-16:30 Friday: 08:00-13:00 Tel: 01506 848945 Fax: 01506 846256 Mobile: 07771 911 109 Email: beecraigssawmill@westlothian.gov.uk http://www.beecraigs.com/sawmill/sawmill.htm

How do I contact the Beecraigs Restaurant?

Tel: 01506 670099 Fax: 01506 847968 http://www.beecraigsrestaurant.co.uk/index.html Opening hours: Monday 12pm-2pm Tuesday 12pm-2pm Wednesday 12pm-2pm & 5pm-9pm Thursday 12pm-2pm & 5pm-9pm Friday 12pm-2pm & 5pm-9pm Saturday 12pm – 10pm Sunday 12:30pm – 10pm

How do I get a fishing permit for Beecraigs?

A fishing permit can be booked through Beecraigs Park Centre on 01506 844516 or online at www.beecraigs.com. Concessions are available to Senior Citizen residents in West Lothian and those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance. http://www.beecraigs.com/fishery/fishery.htm

How do I make a complaint?

If you want to make a complaint, please do so to a member of staff at the Park Centre. The member of staff will record your complaint and explain to you how it will be processed. Almondell & Calderwood Park Centre : 01506 882254 Beecraigs Park Centre: 01506 844516 Polkemmet Park Centre: 01501 743905

How much does it cost to use the bowling green at Polkemmet?

Use of the Bowling Green is FREE to West Lothian resident Senior Citizens (65 years or over, male or female - proof of residential status will be required). Hire of the bowling green is £2.85 per hour for adults. Hire of the bowling green is £2.20 per hour for juveniles. Hire of the bowling green is £2.20 per hour for concessions. Hire of the bowls is £1.15 per hour. Payment should be made at the Park Centre.

How much does it cost to use the Driving Range at Polkemmet?

5 x 50 ball digicard = £12.50 10 x 50 ball digicard = £24.95 20 x 50 ball digicard = £48.00 25 balls token = £1.55 50 balls token = £2.90 100 balls token = £5.65

Is there a putting green in any of the Country Parks?

Yes, the putting green is available at Polkemmet Country Park, outside the driving range. Prices: The putting green is FREE to use Club hire: £1.15

What are the opening and closing times of Almondell & Calderwood Country Parks Visitor Centre?

Summer 9am -5pm Winter 10am - 4pm Closed for lunch 12:30 - 1pm

What are the opening and closing times of Polkemmet Country Park?

Reception April 2011: 9am - 7pm Reception May to Aug 2011: 7am - 8pm (Weekday), 7am - 7pm (weekend)

What are the opening and closing times of the Beecraigs Visitor Centre?

October to March: Mon - Fri 10am to 4pm Saturday Sunday 10am - 4pm April to September: Mon - Thurs 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 4.30pm Sat & Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm

What type of wildlife can be found in the parks?

Many species of birds and animals can be found at the Country Parks. Call the Ranger Services for more details. Almondell & Calderwood Ranger base - Tel: 01506 882254 E-mail: almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk Beecraigs Ranger base - Tel: 01506 844516 E-mail: mail@beecraigs.com Polkemmet Ranger base - Tel: 01501 743905 E-mail: polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk

What types of activities are available at Almondell and Calderwood Country Park?

Walks, barbecues, play area for children, cycle routes and ranger-led events and activities. Contact the Park Centre (01506 882254) or email almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk for further information. http://www.beecraigs.com/Country_Parks/almondell.htm

Where can I get further information on Outdoor Pursuit activities at Beecraigs?

For further information on the courses or to book onto your instructor-led activity, please Telephone 01506 775390 or Fax 01506 775399 or E-mail lowport.centre@westlothian.gov.uk For further information on the courses available, please go to www.lowportcentre.co.uk or http://www.beecraigs.com/outdoor/outdoor.htm

Where can I get general information about Almondell and Calderwood Country Parks?

The Ranger Service and Visitor Centre can be contacted on 01506 882254. Contact can also be made by email on almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk http://www.beecraigs.com/Country_Parks/almondell.htm

Where can I get general information about Beecraigs Country Park?

Contact the Park Centre on 01506 844516, email mail@beecraigs.com or visit www.beecraigs.com

Where can I get general information about Polkemmet Country Park?

Contact the Park Centre on (01501 743905) or email polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk http://www.beecraigs.com/Country_Parks/polkemmet.htm
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