Paisley Parks

THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF GREEN SPACE IN PAISLEY TOWN CENTRE WITH THE BENCHES AT DUNN SQUARE OFTEN OFFERING THE CHANCE TO SIT IN THE SUNSHINE AND TAKE TIME OUT FROM ALL THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE.

AND WHO CAN FAIL TO BE CAPTIVATED BY THE BLOSSOM TREES BY PAISLEY ABBEY AND ALONG THE WHITE CART.

BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO STRAY TOO MUCH FURTHER TO GET A TASTE OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS EITHER!

Gleniffer Braes Country Park

A popular spot for dog walkers, Gleniffer Braes Country Park offers amazing views of the town and beyond and is a great area for walks, runs and cycles.

While cattle are used in the Country Park to control the vegetation and preserve biodiversity, birdwatchers are also in for a treat with skylarks, kestrels, sparrowhawks goldcrest and chaffinches often spotted. It’s a great place for visitors to experience Paisley’s nature offering and Renfrewshire Council Ranger Service regularly lead guided walks through the park for those who would like to know more during their visit.

Barshaw Park

Just ten minutes’ drive east from the town centre, Barshaw Park is the biggest of all the official parks in Paisley.

Facilities include a pond used by model boat enthusiasts, an outdoor gym, children’s play areas, a BMX park, with crazy golf and putting plus a fantastic miniature railway during the summer. Not to mention its very own golf course. The park will soon benefit from a new community garden inspired by its local heritage after it was named the only Scottish winner in the RHS Garden Day Competition. At the site of the former donkey paddock, the new Community Garden will be managed by the volunteers from Friends of Barshaw Park - who will also receive additional funding for investment in the garden and the group's work within the community.

Brodie Park

Now heading to the south side of Paisley and the town’s Brodie Park.

Gifted to the town by respected banker Robert Brodie in 1870, it was opened seven years later and instantly became popular with locals and visitors alike. Two kangaroos were later presented to the town by the Marquis of Bute and arrangements were made to house the animals at Brodie Park.

Local newspapers report that one of the kangaroos sadly died shortly after its arrival in Paisley after supposedly injuring itself on the journey from Rothesay to Paisley in February 1885. The second kangaroo is believed to have died within a month of arriving in the town due to the harsh winter conditions. To this day, Brodie Park remains the start point for Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day parade celebrations.

Fountain Gardens

Originally laid out in 1797, Fountain Gardens is Paisley’s oldest public park but perhaps most famous for its striking fountain.

It consists of a grand geometric layout with broad walkways, all of which lead to the Grand Fountain – an ornate cast-iron fountain at the centre of the park which contains statues of herons, dolphins and walruses. The park is also home to what many say is one of the finest statues of Scotland’s national poet, Rabbie Burns. Located on the very fringes of Paisley town centre, Fountain Gardens is an ideal place for a picnic on a summer’s day – just grab a takeaway from one of our town centre cafes and enjoy the sunshine!