Alexandra Park, Glasgow

Alexandra Park is a Victorian public park in Dennistoun, in the East End of Glasgow, Scotland. It lies about 3 km (2 miles) east of the city centre and has been open since 1870. It is a local green space with a long history, and a good pick if you want to see a different side of Glasgow away from the main shopping streets.

Where is Alexandra Park and how do I get there?

The park sits in Dennistoun, roughly 2 miles east of the city centre. Its main pedestrian entrance is near the south-west corner, next to Alexandra Parade, the road that serves as the western approach to the park. Around the park run the M8 motorway, Cumbernauld Road and Provan Road, which gives a sense of how it sits inside the East End's street network.

Why is it called Alexandra Park?

The park was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who later became the wife of King Edward VII. It was formally opened in 1870. The City Improvement Trustees had bought the land in 1866, when it was bare and almost treeless. The land beside the south-west corner, close to Alexandra Parade, was given to the Trustees by Alexander Dennistoun, owner of the neighbouring Golfhill estate. That spot is now the principal entrance. The park also encouraged the growth of the surrounding suburb, and Dennistoun developed quickly along Alexandra Parade.

What is there to see in the park?

The park covers about 42 hectares (around 100 acres). Inside you will find:

• ponds,
• a playground,
• the Saracen Fountain, over 12 metres tall,
• the Cruikshank Fountain near the entrance.

Because the grounds were laid out in the Victorian era on open, barren land, today's trees and landscaping have matured over more than a century and a half.

What are the views like?

The highest point of the park gives views north to Ben Lomond and south to the Tinto Hills. On a clear day this makes it a pleasant place for a short walk uphill and a look across the landscape beyond the city.

When is the park open?

The park is generally open daily from dawn to dusk. The facilities inside it have their own separate opening and closing times, so if you plan to use a particular one, check its hours before you go.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Alexandra Park from the centre of Glasgow? About 3 km (2 miles) to the east.

When did Alexandra Park open? In 1870, and it was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

Is there an entry fee? It is a public park. Individual facilities inside it may have their own hours.

What is the Saracen Fountain? A large fountain in the park, more than 12 metres tall.

Can you see Ben Lomond from the park? Yes, from the highest point, which looks north to Ben Lomond and south to the Tinto Hills.

Which neighbourhood is it in? Dennistoun, in Glasgow's East End.