Located between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Falkirk has many fun attractions for families and solo travellers. From the mythical Kelpies to the incredible engineering feat of the Falkirk Wheel, the history of the area in Callendar House, and Mother Nature, there are many must-see attractions in Falkirk.
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Contents
Attractions in Falkirk
The following attractions in Falkirk are great for the whole family or a solo visit. Spend the day enjoying all that Falkirk has to offer and have fun.
Helix Park
Helix Park should be your first stop. It’s the ultimate family destination, with numerous attractions all in one spot in Falkirk.
The first car park here is free; however, if you continue down to The Kelpies, you will need to pay for parking.
Helix Park is the ultimate place for family fun in the Falkirk area. There are wetlands to explore, as well as the Adventure and Splash Zone for the kids. While you’re watching the kids in the playground, you can have a coffee at the cafe located next to the lake.
If you are walking to the Kelpies from here, it’s easy. You can either walk alongside the canal, enjoying the houseboats and wildlife that you see or on the other side of the road through the wetlands and woods, where you may find a surprise or two.
Walking or cycling is very easy here, with 26 kilometres of paths to explore. There are plenty of signposts up to direct you around the area.
The Kelpies
The Visitor Centre is a great place to start if it’s your first time here. Inside is the cafe where you can not only get something to eat and drink but also have great views of the Kelpies while you’re doing it. There is also an exhibition centre with information on the Kelpies and the local area’s history.
If you want to get up close with the Kelpies, a guided tour is the way to go. Kids are free. A 30-minute tour will take you inside a Kelpie and provide an in-depth look at its design and construction. Tickets are available from the gift shop.
After sunset, the Kelpies are lit up in changing colours every couple of minutes. The car park gates close at night, so check the hours to avoid getting locked in. It was 10:00 p.m. sharp when I arrived.
Hours of the Visitor Centre and Cafe
Open 09:30 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.
Tour Times and Prices
Our tours operate daily and last approximately 25 minutes.
November – March 10.30, 12.30 and 14.30
April – October 10.30, 11.30, 13.30, 14.30 and 15.30
For more information, call us on 01324 590600.
- Adult £7
- Child Free (2 children with one adult)
How To Get There
The Kelpies are located in Helix Park in Falkirk. There are two car parks, one located at the playground end and the other closer to the Kelpies.
Falkirk Wheel
Another one of Falkirk’s attractions is The Falkirk Wheel, if only to see the wheel operating. You can walk between The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel along the canal, although the route is 4.3 miles long and will take approximately an hour and a half. The Falkirk Wheel has a large car park, although parking is chargeable.
Once on the grounds, you are free to roam. There are walkways along the Union Canal and along part of the Roman Antonine Wall. Don’t forget to go to the visitor centre and the cafe, where you can eat and drink while watching the wheel turn.
The trip from the bottom to the top takes less than 5 minutes, and you can also experience a ride on the wheel. If you would like to enjoy the 50-minute or so journey, you can travel in a barge and go up to and along the Union Canal before returning to the visitor centre.
There is also a play area and a water pool for all activities, especially on hot summer days.
It’s a great experience to see it working for big kids and small. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy here, whether it’s water sports, taking a ride on the wheel, or walking the grounds.
Hours
1st March – 28th March
Open 7 days a week, 9.45 am – 4 pm
29th March – 31st May
Open 7 days a week, 9.45 am – 5.30 pm
1st June – 15th September
Open 7 days a week, 9.45 am – 6.00 pm
The Falkirk Wheel turns periodically throughout the day during the summer.
Prices
To book a barge trip or one of the other activities, click here.
How To Get There
The Falkirk Wheel is located on Lime Road, Falkirk. The Kelpies and Callendar House are a 10-minute drive away, or you can walk between The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.
It’s a 3-hour walk and a 14.3km canal walk.
Callendar House
Callendar House and Park is another excellent place for the whole family, with plenty to keep the kids entertained.
Inside the chateau, there is a free museum that exhibits the area’s history, dating back to Roman times. One of the rooms contains artefacts excavated from Roman times.
Opposite the chateau is part of the Antonine Wall, a ridge-and-ditch system approximately 3 metres high that crosses the parkland. When the Romans built the wall, it stretched from the Forth to the Clyde. Although there are many places along this stretch of the country, I think this one is the best and most accessible for everyone.
There are 500 acres of grounds to explore, featuring a pond and a playground for the kids. You could have a picnic to end your day exploring. This is an excellent place for the whole family to have a great time.
Hours
10 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Monday
Prices
Free
How To Get There
Callendar House is located at Callendar Road, Falkirk. It’s a 10-minute drive from both the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.
Conclusion
Falkirk offers a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. You could easily spend a couple of days exploring this area, keeping the kids entertained for hours.
Where I Stayed
I stayed at the Travelodge Falkirk as it was conveniently located near The Kelpies. As I was visiting The Kelpies at night to get photos of them lit up, I wanted somewhere close, comfortable and safe with free parking. It is just another great reason why I love Travelodge, as they are convenient and affordable.
Facilities
- Wi-Fi (extra charge)
- Smoke-free property
- Child-friendly
- Free Parking
- Breakfast (extra charge)
- Front desk 24-hour
- Pet-friendly (extra charge)
- Comfy king-size Dreamer™ bed
- Ensuite bathroom with shower and complimentary hand, hair & body wash
- Tea and coffee-making facilities
- USB charging points by the bed
- Bedside reading lights
- Spacious desk with lamp and plug sockets, and a desk chair
- Blackout curtains
- Comfortable armchair
- TV with Freeview
- Cosy 10.5 tog duvet, four plump pillows
- Set of fresh white towels
- Available on request
- Hairdryers and irons are available from reception
- Cots – please get in touch with the hotel to confirm availability
Where It Is
West Beancross Farm, Polmont, Grangemouth, Falkirk.
How to Book
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Links
If you would like to read more about my travels in the UK, click on the following links: England, Scotland and Wales.
Want to learn about UK passes and what you should get for where? You can read my blog on Save Money and Explore the UK with an Attraction Pass.
If you’d like to read more of my blogs about Australia, you can find them on the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art.
You can also click on the links for New Zealand or Photography.
Travel Resources
- All-in-One Travel App—Klook is for all your travel needs, from tickets to attractions to sim cards to fast-track through customs and immigration.
- Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using AviaSales, Booking.com, or Tripadvisor.
- Car Hire—In Australia, you can use Budget Car Rentals Australia or Avis Car Rentals Australia or in New Zealand, Budget Car Rentals New Zealand or Avis Car Rentals New Zealand.
- Camper & RV Rentals—Want a quieter pace exploring Australia and New Zealand in your own accommodation? Jucy Rentals and Star RV Rentals will give you an unforgettable travelling experience.
- Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels.
- Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- SIM cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
- Power Stations—Bluetti Australia Power Stations are your choices for sustainable, eco-friendly power on the road or at home.
- If you are interested in more tips, try my Travel Links and Resources page.
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Would be fascinating to learn about the Kelpies and other local folklore. The photo of the Kelpie up close really does look into your soul and that’s seeing it on a screen – can only imagine what it would be like in person!
Thanks, Gabby. It is a very popular place to visit and just look at them. Great for taking a dog for a walk around too.
I really want to see the Kelpies. We will be in Scotland next year after a wedding in England. So am keeping your post for my planning.
You’ll love them, Lisa. Well worth the detour.
An interesting and insightful read. Love the various photos of statues and the Helix Park playground.
Thanks, Marilyn. Certainly a place a visit if you’re in the area.
I really want to visit Scotland. Saving this for when I actually get there someday. Canals are so cool to me.
You’ll have to visit the Falkirk Wheel then Nancy, you’ll love it.
I love the UK, but I had never heard of this town before! It seems like such a great place and not somewhere that everyone and his dogs knows about! Was it a good spot to escape the crowds?
You’d love it, Aireona. It’s a big area and there were a lot of people there but as you can see from the photos, everyone as space to move and breathe and it would take a lot more people to make this place crowded.
Hmm, I had never heard of Falkirk before but I’ve certainly seen pictures of the Kelpies so it’s great to put a name to the image. I like the idea of walking and cycling between all these sights. I’m hoping to visit Scotland soon so I’ll keep Falkirk in mind!
You should definitely visit, Natasha. If you like cycling and walking there are great tracks all along the canal getting you off the busy roads.
Dying to visit on my next trip to Edinburgh!! Great post!!!
Thanks, Ashleigh. I hope that you are able to visit.
Very interesting post! I had never heard of this city before reading this, but I will have to add it to my list of places to visit!
I’m glad that you enjoyed it, Katie. I think it should be on everyone’s list, and it’s so close to Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This looks really interesting. I have never been to Scotland but it’s on my list. I will save this post for later. Thank you for sharing all these tips.
Thanks, Olga. I hope that you get to visit it someday and it really is worth it.
We went to Helix Park with my five-year-old niece who loves horses, and she was so excited! It really is an impressive place.
I’m glad you liked it, Christine. I agree that it is a really impressive place with so much to do for everyone.
Just love reading about all your experiences for a person like me who doesn’t really like travelling reading your blogs makes me think I should your pictures and the story behind them are wonderful reading
Thanks, Kathy. You should start with the Toowoomba Festival of Flowers this year. It’s on next month, not far away and it may give you a taste for more adventures like the Field of Light Uluru, which is on my list to see.