Things to do & places to visit in South Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

New Lanark World Heritage Village is an 18th century historic village and visitor attraction, popular with families and those with an interest in social history. It's a short walk from here to the Falls of Clyde.

South Lanarkshire #83 destination in United Kingdom 2023. The average rating score is 4.41 based on 5.148 traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Europe/London, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 2:07.

Top things to do (22)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 The Bubbles Factory (132 reviews)
- Fantastic Softplay
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Playgrounds

The Best Soft Play in the UK (under 8000sqft) Awarded by the Play Providers Association See more..
5.0 Beeches Cottage Nursery (33 reviews)
- Hidden gem
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

Lovely independent nursery where the plants are well nurtured. Very beautiful surroundings and lots of nice little touches. Highly recommend this place, well worth a visit, even if it seems a little far away- I drove 50+ miles to get excellent quality plants! Very reasonably priced, yes of course a little more expensive than your local national garden centre or supermarket but the plants last longer, bloom better and have far more chance of flowering the following year- you can see the superior quality. Very friendly and welcoming place with knowledgable staff. See more..
5.0 Langloch Farm @ CCI (10 reviews)
- A little gem !
Monday: 9:15 AM - 4:45 PM Spent 2-3 hours Farms

Social Enterprise operated Nature Trail, Nature Play, Gift Shop and Tearoom on the outskirts of Lanark. Suitable for all ages. See more..
5.0 The Bubbles Factory (132 reviews)
- Fantastic Softplay
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Playgrounds

The Best Soft Play in the UK (under 8000sqft) Awarded by the Play Providers Association See more..
4.5 New Lanark World Heritage Site (1.233 reviews)
- 200 year industrial success while advancing their 2000 workers.
Monday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites

New Lanark World Heritage Site is internationally famous for its historic buildings, beautiful landscape and over 200 years of social history. The mill village was founded in 1785 by David Dale and Richard Arkwright, and managed for 25 years from 1800 by the pioneering Robert Owen. New Lanark is now recognised as one of Scotland's six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and welcomes over 300,000 site visitors annually. Visitors can explore the history of the village through the New Lanark Visitor Centre and enjoy stunning woodland walks through the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve. The Mill Café serves up a range of delicious food and New Lanark Ice Cream. The Mill Shop offers a delightful range of gifts, Scottish produce and New Lanark Wool which is spun on-site using historic textile machinery. Visitors can even wake up in a World Heritage Site by staying at the New Lanark Mill Hotel, Wee Row Hostel or Self-catering Waterhouses. Please see our website for up-to-date opening hours. See more..
4.5 Falls of Clyde (639 reviews)
- Falls of Clyde & New Lanark World Heritage Site.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Waterfalls

We attended both sites yesterday. It is a very interesting site which gives an insight into the lives of the workers & working conditions. It is spread over a few buildings which are very worthwhile viewing. We did not go into the reserve building as it was closed. It is a very worthwhile visit. We walked to see the falls of Clyde which were spectacular due to being in full spare after all the horrendous wet weather recently which made for some spectacular photos. We had a light lunch in the Mill Cafe, which was delicious, filling & very healthy & great value for money. The place was quite quiet at that time although there were other diners. The staff were so friendly & exceedingly helpful, even the ground staff helped let us park close to the buildings due to having restricted mobility. See more..
4.5 Calderglen Country Park (547 reviews)
- Great fun for families
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos • Parks • Playgrounds

Fun park to explore with children's zoo. The park itself is quite big and features various animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, wallabies, otters, meerkats, snakes, reptiles and fish. See more..
4.5 Chatelherault (466 reviews)
- Lovely large country park. Cafe disappointing for allergy information
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites

Good place for walking, plenty of trails, lovely lawns and adventure playground for the children. Cadzow Castle was inaccessible and covered in scaffolding so not worth walking over especially to see it. Interesting displays in the building about the history of the area and the house, but we didn't have much time to look at these. The only thing which was very disappointing was The Oaks Cafe onsite. The staff were friendly but when I asked about what allergens were in a particular cake, a member of staff told me she didn't know because she had thrown the packaging away. Not very impressive as it meant I couldn't risk eating the cake as I have multiple dietary requirements. I was, however, able to find a pre-packaged item with the relevant allergen information and I enjoyed that. Perhaps just a little more training for the staff in that area would be helpful. See more..
4.5 National Museum of Rural Life (369 reviews)
- can't wait to come back
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Natural History Museums

Spend a day in the countryside, uncover Scotland's unique rural history and meet the animals on the farm. In the museum, learn about the land, people and ways of working that have shaped Scotland's rural history, and discover Scotland's largest collection of tractors, combine harvesters and other farming machinery. Just a short walk or tractor-trailer ride from the museum is the working farm, home to Ayrshire, Aberdeen Angus and Highland cattle, Tamworth pigs, sheep, hens and Clydesdale horses. Visit the Georgian farmhouse, with rooms decorated as they would have been in the 1950s, and explore the bothy, outbuildings and kitchen garden. Round off your visit with a stop at the onsite cafe, or bring your own picnic to enjoy in the outdoor play park and picnic area. Book online at nms.ac.uk/rural See more..
4.5 Low Parks Museum (131 reviews)
- Fabulous history
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Military Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums

Really interesting museum, full of fascinating history of Hamilton and surrounding areas. Cafe serving good food. Good family day out. See more..
4.5 Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum (113 reviews)
- Make this a "Must Do"!
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

The Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum explores 14,000 years of rural and small town life in Upper Clydesdale. Here you'll find fascinating stories, high-quality engaging displays and a warm welcome! See more..
4.5 Strathaven Park (110 reviews)
- Been going to this park for over 50 years
Parks

This is a great park to go to. It's clean and got lots to do in it. It's not massive but is good to potter around. There is the miniature railway and boating pond as well as a putting green. Plenty for the whole family to enjoy. See more..
4.5 Craignethan Castle (93 reviews)
- Hidden gem
Castles

Temporarily Closed See more..
4.5 Tinto Hill (73 reviews)
- Great Hill
Mountains

I walk this 2/3 times a week and never get bored with the views. At the moment with the amount of rain it is boggy at the beginning. If you have not done any hillwalking will find hard but very achievable. Car park has been extended, well done South Lanarkshire Council. See more..
4.5 Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve (61 reviews)
- Spectacular falls and woodland wildlife
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Visitor Centers

We loved our visit to the falls of Clyde Wildlife reserve the waterfalls were lovely especially the biggest Corra Linn. Our son loved the boardwalk along the riverside. We also liked the Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor centre which had live CCTV of peregrines and loads to do for the kids.It's really near New lanark world Heritage site so we could get a bite to eat too. We are booked in to do a badger watch and can't wait!!!!!! See more..
4.5 Hamilton Mausoleum (44 reviews)
- The Duke of Hamilton’s Mausoleum!
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Hamilton Mausoleum was one of the finest private tombs in the UK, and is now one of South Lanarkshire's most famous buildings. It was built as a tomb and monument to Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, nicknamed 'El Magnifico', but was incomplete at the time of his death in 1852. The chapel has a massive dome, magnificent bronze doors, and a stunning floor made of marble from around the world. However, one of the first things you will probably notice is its amazing 15-second echo, one of the longest in the world! See more..
4.5 Little Sparta (42 reviews)
- Et in arcadia ego
Spent 2-3 hours Gardens • Art Museums

Little Sparta is closed to the public until further notice owing to the coronavirus restrictions. Our own website is the definitive source of information, or phone us. Updated 30 May 2020. See more..
4.5 Douglas Castle (35 reviews)
- Delightful Scenery, Plenty of Wildfowl on the Loch and Interesting Ruin
Castles

Bemused by most of the reviews who have got mixed up with the town in Galloway. This is Castle Douglas in Douglas - the ruins are known locally as Castle Dangerous from its Sir Walter Scott connections and are located in the Douglas and Angus estate in Douglas, Lanarkshire. The castle was demolished, apart from one tower, in 1938. The National Lottery Fund has paid for a car park, picnic tables and information boards. The castle mound has delightful views of the area with a wide range of tree species and also the memorial to the Cameronian Regiment. The village is near by with a few pubs and shops as well as very good museum. See more..
4.5 The Town House (31 reviews)
- Aladdin - Christmas panto
Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

The Town House re-opened as a multi purpose Arts Venue in 2004 and has facilities capable of hosting performances, weddings and social events, arts classes and courses, conferences and meetings as well as promoting varied arts and cultural events programme. See more..
4.5 East Kilbride Village Theatre (17 reviews)
- Pantomime
Spent 2-3 hours Theaters
Wonderful production of Rapunzel by Greenhills Panto club at EK village theatre. Staff st the theatre are first rate and the show was brilliant. Well done to all involved See more..
4.5 Culter Fell (8 reviews)
- Hard or easy walk - you choose.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Coulter Fell is a much more enjoyable walk than Tinto Hill. It's also much quieter. At the bottom you can climb following the line of the shooting butts, which is the steep way up and takes a fair old effort, or if you take the path to the left you have a longer but easier climb. The views are excellent and it's just a great day out. See more..
4.5 New Lanark World Heritage Site (1.233 reviews)
- 200 year industrial success while advancing their 2000 workers.
Monday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites

New Lanark World Heritage Site is internationally famous for its historic buildings, beautiful landscape and over 200 years of social history. The mill village was founded in 1785 by David Dale and Richard Arkwright, and managed for 25 years from 1800 by the pioneering Robert Owen. New Lanark is now recognised as one of Scotland's six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and welcomes over 300,000 site visitors annually. Visitors can explore the history of the village through the New Lanark Visitor Centre and enjoy stunning woodland walks through the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve. The Mill Café serves up a range of delicious food and New Lanark Ice Cream. The Mill Shop offers a delightful range of gifts, Scottish produce and New Lanark Wool which is spun on-site using historic textile machinery. Visitors can even wake up in a World Heritage Site by staying at the New Lanark Mill Hotel, Wee Row Hostel or Self-catering Waterhouses. Please see our website for up-to-date opening hours. See more..
4.5 Falls of Clyde (639 reviews)
- Falls of Clyde & New Lanark World Heritage Site.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Waterfalls

We attended both sites yesterday. It is a very interesting site which gives an insight into the lives of the workers & working conditions. It is spread over a few buildings which are very worthwhile viewing. We did not go into the reserve building as it was closed. It is a very worthwhile visit. We walked to see the falls of Clyde which were spectacular due to being in full spare after all the horrendous wet weather recently which made for some spectacular photos. We had a light lunch in the Mill Cafe, which was delicious, filling & very healthy & great value for money. The place was quite quiet at that time although there were other diners. The staff were so friendly & exceedingly helpful, even the ground staff helped let us park close to the buildings due to having restricted mobility. See more..
4.5 Calderglen Country Park (547 reviews)
- Great fun for families
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos • Parks • Playgrounds

Fun park to explore with children's zoo. The park itself is quite big and features various animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, wallabies, otters, meerkats, snakes, reptiles and fish. See more..
4.5 Chatelherault (466 reviews)
- Lovely large country park. Cafe disappointing for allergy information
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites

Good place for walking, plenty of trails, lovely lawns and adventure playground for the children. Cadzow Castle was inaccessible and covered in scaffolding so not worth walking over especially to see it. Interesting displays in the building about the history of the area and the house, but we didn't have much time to look at these. The only thing which was very disappointing was The Oaks Cafe onsite. The staff were friendly but when I asked about what allergens were in a particular cake, a member of staff told me she didn't know because she had thrown the packaging away. Not very impressive as it meant I couldn't risk eating the cake as I have multiple dietary requirements. I was, however, able to find a pre-packaged item with the relevant allergen information and I enjoyed that. Perhaps just a little more training for the staff in that area would be helpful. See more..
4.5 National Museum of Rural Life (369 reviews)
- can't wait to come back
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Natural History Museums

Spend a day in the countryside, uncover Scotland's unique rural history and meet the animals on the farm. In the museum, learn about the land, people and ways of working that have shaped Scotland's rural history, and discover Scotland's largest collection of tractors, combine harvesters and other farming machinery. Just a short walk or tractor-trailer ride from the museum is the working farm, home to Ayrshire, Aberdeen Angus and Highland cattle, Tamworth pigs, sheep, hens and Clydesdale horses. Visit the Georgian farmhouse, with rooms decorated as they would have been in the 1950s, and explore the bothy, outbuildings and kitchen garden. Round off your visit with a stop at the onsite cafe, or bring your own picnic to enjoy in the outdoor play park and picnic area. Book online at nms.ac.uk/rural See more..
4.5 Low Parks Museum (131 reviews)
- Fabulous history
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Military Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums

Really interesting museum, full of fascinating history of Hamilton and surrounding areas. Cafe serving good food. Good family day out. See more..
4.5 Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum (113 reviews)
- Make this a "Must Do"!
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

The Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum explores 14,000 years of rural and small town life in Upper Clydesdale. Here you'll find fascinating stories, high-quality engaging displays and a warm welcome! See more..
4.5 Strathaven Park (110 reviews)
- Been going to this park for over 50 years
Parks

This is a great park to go to. It's clean and got lots to do in it. It's not massive but is good to potter around. There is the miniature railway and boating pond as well as a putting green. Plenty for the whole family to enjoy. See more..
4.5 Craignethan Castle (93 reviews)
- Hidden gem
Castles

Temporarily Closed See more..