North Lanarkshire between parks and heritage

In North Lanarkshire, the choice of places to visit ranges from large country parks and walking trails to museums, historic sites and theatre. This lets you plan your trip around different interests: time outdoors, insights into local history or a cultural programme.

Parks, landscapes and trails

Drumpellier Country Park covers 500 acres and has two natural lochs and two adventure playgrounds. A signposted route, the Seven Lochs Trail, is 10 kilometres long. It links the park on the edge of Coatbridge with Hogganfield Park in Glasgow. The wider Seven Lochs Wetland Park extends across the border between Glasgow and North Lanarkshire and is easily accessible by public transport.

Strathclyde Country Park also offers space for longer stays outdoors: it is set in a 400-hectare landscape in the valley of the River Clyde. It has good road and public transport connections. Bikes can be hired in the park; check availability before your visit. The trail network includes 10 miles, or around 16 kilometres, of walking trails.

At Palacerigg Country Park, the trail network is suitable for walking, using mobility aids and cycling. The Hidden Creatures educational trail adds a dedicated theme to the routes. Animals that live there include bats, dragonflies, damselflies, pine martens, roe deer, owls and badgers. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.

The trail information helps you compare different options: the Seven Lochs Trail is a signposted 10-kilometre route; Strathclyde Country Park has a walking trail network totalling 10 miles, or around 16 kilometres. These are different types of offerings—a named route and a trail network. Compare the information with the amount of time you plan to set aside for your outings.

Museums and heritage

Summerlee Museum combines industrial heritage with an adventure playground. The museum includes an underground mine and miners’ houses dating from 1840 to 1980. The museum is a short walk from Coatbridge Central and Coatbridge Sunnyside stations. Admission to the North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre is free; check the latest visitor information before you travel. An observation tower offers views over Motherwell and North Lanarkshire.

At the museum in Colzium House, you can see objects and displays about the history of the surrounding area. A restored traditional Scottish ice house on the Colzium Lennox Estate is open to the public. The Colzium–Tomtain route is 6.5 miles, or 10.5 kilometres, long.

Several other sites add to the historical attractions. The Antonine Wall was the north-western frontier of the Roman Empire and can be reached from Croy station. If you are travelling by train, check current services to the station. Croy Hill offers wide views of the surrounding landscape. Preserved sections of the Monkland Canal are protected as a Scheduled Monument of national significance. The Forth and Clyde Canal runs through Auchinstarry Basin.

More things to do

The World of Wings collection includes more than 50 species of birds of prey; the collection may change over time. Visitors can also fly with one of the birds kept there. Arrangements may need to be made in advance.

For a theatre evening, Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse produces and presents professional theatre. The auditorium has 300 seats; the programme changes seasonally. When choosing a hotel location, you can compare where each option is situated with the places you plan to visit during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cumbernauld, Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts, Coatbridge, Kilsyth, Bellshill, Stepps, Airdrie, Chryston, Gartcosh, Caldercruix, Cleland, Holytown.

For the wider travel overview: Scotland.