Almondell & Calderwood Country Park

Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is tucked out of sight in the valley of the River Almond between Broxburn and East Calder, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is probably the best kept secret in West Lothian!

Welcome to Almondell & Calderwood Country Park - introductory video

Based around two adjoining estates (Almondell and Calderwood) and with a history going back 340 million years to the time of the Carboniferous swamps, this area has much to offer its visitors.

Left undeveloped and unspoilt, Calderwood is a complete contrast to Almondell. This natural woodland, located on a plateau bounded by the Linhouse and Murieston Waters, is home to a wealth of wildlife. Roe deer, fox, heron and woodpecker all make their homes here, while the many oak and hazel trees provide food for the squirrels and wood mice. For this reason Calderwood has been designated a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Almondell & Calderwood Country Park - Woodland Management and Access Work February Update

The Larch Wood Path in Almondell, from the steps at the north end through the woodland to the Almondell Larch Wood Path South Drive, will be closed until around 21 February.

The clearing of the invasive Rhododendron around most areas of the park is almost complete.

During the work a gravestone dedicated to Lady Erskine's pet dog was discovered in the undergrowth.

Unfortunately, due to problems on another site, the main tree felling works have been delayed and are now due to start towards the end of February. Updates will be posted once the revised programme is known.

For further information about the Woodland and Paths Project please see the website Almondell & Calderwood Country Park, call in at the Almondell Visitor Centre or email almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk

Almondell Woodland Management February 2020 Update

The clearing of the Rhododendron ponticum around most areas of the park is almost complete.

A temporary access for timber uplift is being constructed off Drover's Road.

Unfortunately there has been a delay in starting the main tree felling works which had been due to start on 20^th January but updates will be given as soon as the revised timetable is known.

For further information call into the Visitor Centre or email reception Almondell&Calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk .

Almondell Woodland Felling works - January 2020

South Car Park (East Calder) and Paths into Park Closed Tues 14th and Wed 15th January 2020 - Icon for pdf Almondell Tree Felling work - closures [717.71KB]

Woodland management works are due to start in Almondell & Calderwood Country Park on Wednesday 8^th January, 2020.

For your safety access will be restricted in parts of the country park, more information can be found here - Icon for pdf Woodland Felling Work - Almondell January 2020 [711.67KB]

Almondell Woodland Management - Autumn 2019

Preparations are underway to do significant woodland management work in the woods at Almondell, near East Calder, this coming Autumn/Winter. If you've visited the country park recently you may have noticed pink paint marks on the trees.

Most of the woods were planted as part of Henry Erskine's Almondell Estate and now form part of Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. In order to maintain the woods and public access in a healthy state for future generations, periodically woodland management work is needed.

A Woodland Management Plan has been approved by and grant assistance secured from Scottish Forestry, under their Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) programme.

This forestry work will inevitably cause some disruption in the park and it will look messy for a while but, once restored, will breathe new life into the woods. Further information regarding path closures or diversions will be posted nearer the time.

More information can be found here :-

Icon for pdf Almondell Woodland Management [1.45MB]

Icon for pdf Almondell Woodland Management Map [2.32MB]

There is also information in the conservatory at the Almondell & Calderwood Country Park Visitor Centre and a reference copy of the Almondell Woodland Management Plan is available at the Reception.

Visitor Centre Opening times

Summer - 9am - 5pm
Winter - 10am - 4pm

Please note, Almondell Visitor Centre closes for lunch between 12.30-13.00.

The Visitor Centre is currently open on Winter times and will revert to Summer times on the 30th March 2020. The Visitor Centre is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, the 1st and 2nd January every year.