A Five-Minute Guide to Viewpark The Quintessential Ex Mining Town.
Image G Laird / Burnhead Parish Church
Viewpark: Miner’s territory. Where the residents are the grandkids, sons, daughters, and even great-grandkids of the miners that worked throughout North Lanarkshire at the various pits. Viewpark was built in the ’40s, specifically to house these miners and their families. When the pits eventually closed this became a much poorer area, for obvious reasons.
When the miner’s rows in nearby Tannochside were brought down in the late fifties there were a lot of new residents to Viewpark. The government closed down the pits, then closed down the steelworks, then threw up a shopping mall hoping to provide employment. If Clan Douglas were still in effect during this time, there would have been a war. Instead, much of Viewpark is a housing estate and nobody has a job.
Unfortunately, Viewpark doesn’t have a great name as a holiday destination… but all that can be changed! All we need is a few good attractions and some perseverance. In reality, it’s only a twenty-minute train ride from Glasgow and is next door to both Bellshill and Motherwell, both destinations with great shopping and interesting nightlife.
So if you were to spend some holiday time in post-clan Viewpark; what should you do? We listed some of their best bits to make life easier.
The Best bits of Viewpark
On a day trip to Viewpark? Looking for things to do? Read on. As usual, Five Minutes Spare has got your back…
Viewpark Gardens
Besides from the annual flower festival they hold here, the Viewpark gardens are a great place for the plant enthusiast. There are four greenhouses which house an extensive range of tropical plants. There are miniature waterfalls, a striking black and white themed garden, and collections of trees that you just don’t get in this neck of the woods… pardon the pun.
There are water features, a butterfly and dragonfly assortment that will blow your mind, and a sustainable garden demonstration all geared towards conservationism. If you can., make sure that you go when the weather is nice. It isn’t the best place in the rain.
Strathclyde Country Park
So it isn’t in Viewpark but it is near enough. While in North Lanarkshire you should pop over to Strathclyde Country Park and spend some time there. There is a marina with boats you can hire, plenty of walking opportunities, some woodland, the River Clyde, some playparks, and various other bits and pieces.
M & D’s Theme Park
While you are perusing Strathclyde Park, put some time aside in the evening to pop past M & D’s. They market themselves as Scotland’s only Theme Park and they’re not wrong. It has a Ferris wheel, some dodgem’s, a few other rides and stalls. It always makes for a fun day out. The candy floss is a little over-priced, but the kids will love it. It isn’t so far from Viewpark either that you couldn’t get a taxi back if you had to. They also have a sort of indoor petting zoo with small animals. They call it Amazonia, it’s perfect for the kids.
One thing we will say is that you should avoid driving here at night. To be honest this is where the boy racers come to race their not-very-impressive cars. It’s fine and you probably won’t have an accident – but because of their idiocy, there are always police patrols in the area. One thing you will learn about Scotland if you spend any time here is that we have the same number of idiots on the roads as anywhere else does… but a whole lot more rain and ice.
Bothwell Castle Golf Club
As ever, a Scottish town deserves a golf club all of its very own. Bothwell Castle is the nearest to Viewpark and is favoured by local golfers. You are also well situated for Bellshill Golf Club, which gets less of a star rating and doesn’t have the same views. Sandyhills Golf Course is also in range… but keep in mind that none of them will be as impressive as the ones up north.
When you don’t have a spare four hours to take to drive up to St. Andrews but you want to impress someone? You go to the Bothwell club.
Where to Eat, Drink and Party in Viewpark?
If you are looking for a place to eat that may or may not be followed by drunken revelry; then head to the rolling barrel. Mr Singh Ji can bring you some fantastic Indian food and is perfect for big groups. If you want a little more choice then head to the Hot Flame World Buffet… a favourite chain in the area.
If you want good nightlife we suggest you head into nearby Hamilton and visit the Palace. If not, then go for Glasgow. The city centre has some of the best nightclubs in Scotland… and some of the friendliest people in the whole wide world!
Other Notable Nearby Attractions
Of course, since this is a Miner’s town it is a little lacking in entertainment. Don’t panic, there is still loads to do nearby. Check out some of these:
- The Motherwell Heritage Centre – Learn all about the local area, the miners and the local culture here.
- Bothwell Castle – the area has many old houses and manors, but Bothwell Castle is the nearest ruined building for you to explore.
- The Brandon Parade – it’s not actually a parade, it’s a shopping centre in Motherwell. You can shop in Viewpark town centre but the selection here is better.
Don’t forget that we have also covered nearby towns like Motherwell, Cambuslang, and Bellshill in our own guides, here at Five Minutes Spare.
Football Fan?
Then enjoy some proper grassroots football by taking in a Thorniewood United game. They play in the SJFA West Region League Two and their home ground is Roberston Park. We are not sure if it’s named after the towns most famous footballing son John Robertson or not, but given his exploits for both Scotland & Nottingham Forest (who can forget this winning goal in the 1980 European Cup final), it would be great if it was.
Mind you he is not the only famous footballer to be born in Viewpark as this was also the birthplace of the diminutive Celtic & Scotland legend Jimmy (Jinky) Johnstone who won Nine Scottish titles with the Hoops and most famously was part of their 1967 European Cup-winning squad. You noticing a pattern here?
Stuck for Something to Do?
If you have more time than you have energy, you can always find something to read here at Five Minutes Spare. Learn a new skill, study up on your education, or travel the world. Anything is possible when you have a little knowledge, some time, and the internet to help you!
