Falkirk - Stay & Play in the heart of Scotland

The Falkirk Wheel

The world’s first rotating boatlift recreates the link between the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals. Visitors are rotated the full 115ft as a barge takes you from the Forth & Clyde canal to the raised union canal in a matter of minutes. The iconic engineering masterpiece, complete with the award-winning visitor centre, restaurant, exhibition and shop, has become the UK’s fastest growing visitor attraction.

Entry is free to the visitor centre, cafe, gift shops, Ronald Rae sculpture trail, and Play Park and Antonine Wall heritage site.

Opening times:

1^st April 2009 – 31^st October 2009 – open daily 0930 to 1800

Boat Trip Prices:

Adults: £7.85

Child: £4.20

Children under 3 – FREE

Concessions: £6.40

Family: £21.05

Please note, we advise arriving ½ hour before your trip to allow or ticket collection and boarding.

Contact details:

The Falkirk Wheel, Lime Road, Falkirk, FK1 4RS

Telephone: 08700 500 208

Fax: 01324 671 224

Email: info@thefalkirkwheel.co.uk

Website@www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk

Please note
Boat trips are subject to change of cancellation in certain circumstances, including high winds.  We will do our best to transfer passengers to an alternative trip or offer a credit voucher for another journey.  The Falkirk Wheel management reserves the right to offer a refund only in exceptional circumstances.
Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded.  When you buy a ticket, you are buying the right of admission to the boat ride detailed on the ticket and at that specified time.  Once purchased, the ticket is your property, and The Falkirk Wheel cannot refund its value to you, exchange it for any other ticket nor can we re-sell on your behalf.

Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway

Spend a nostalgic day reliving the romantic days of steam. Take the train on the 7 mile round trip to Birkhill, with the optional stay at the Birkhill Fireclay Mines. Bo’ness Station is the home of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society and also features a Scottish Railway Exhibition.

Kids! Look out for our special Day out with Thomas;’ events.

Opening Times

Open weekends April – October – with Spring Mid-Week services in April and June

Daily in July and August

Admission

Adults: £6.00

Children: £3.00

Concession: £5.00

Family (2 adults & 3 children): £15.00

Contact Details

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, Bo’ness Station, Union Street, Bo’ness, EH51 9AQ

Telephone: 01506 822 298

Email: enquiries.railway@srps.org.uk

Birkhill Caverns

Situated by Birkhill Station, the Fireclay Mine allows visitors to the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway the opportunity to see 300 million year old fossils and discover the story about fireclay. Experienced tour guides will meet you from the train at Birkhill Station and take you down into the beautiful Avon Gorge before entering into the caverns. Here you will learn how the fireclay was mined, what it was used for and its important role in the industrial revolution. Tours take approximately one hour and start from Birkhill Station on the arrival of each train (except the last service each day). Mine tickets can be bought along with your train ticket at Bo'ness Station or can be purchased on arrival.

Opening Times
April to October, when the Bo'ness Kinneil Railway is in operation.
To check times call: 01506 825 855

Admission
Adult: £3.00
Child: £2.00
Under 5 – Free

Further Information
Website: Scottish Railway Preservation Society

Callendar House, Park & Woods

One of Scotland's finest baronial mansions, Callendar House displays and tells stories of over 600 years of Scottish history and has played host to many great historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, Cromwell and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The interior feautures Costumed interpreters recreating the daily routines of the past, Authentic Georgian Working Kitchen, Printer's and clockmaker's workshop and general store of the 1820s, The Age of Enlightenment and The Industrial Revolution, Exhibition galleries and interactive displays.

Opening Times
Monday to Saturday: 10.00am – 5.00pm (throughout the year)
Sunday: 2.00pm – 5.00pm (April – September)
Last Admission 4.00pm
No admission charges
Website:Visit Scotland
Tel. 01324 503 770

There are extensive parkland areas surrounding Callendar House, open all year. With par 3 golf course, crazy golf, boating lake, children's play area, kiosk, picnic benches, go-karting and woodland walks. Remains of the Antonine Wall can also be seen at Callendar Park directly opposite Callendar House.

Also in the Park, visit, The Park Gallery (free admission) for contemporary visual arts and The Stables Teashop.

Callendar Woods has over 6 miles of carriageways, tracks and paths, most of them dating from the 1870s. This is an extensive 16th century woodland area is just minutes from Falkirk town centre. With historical attractions including an Aroboretum, Ornamental Gardens, Mausoluem, Well, Waterhouse along the three well mapped Woodland Trails.

Bo’ness Motor Museum

Open every day, all year, there’s something for everyone. The Museum hosts a mix of classic cars & memorabilia and includes cars from film and TV. A strong James Bond theme throughout, there’s the Double 0 Bar & Miss Moneypenny’s Diner. For younger children there’s also the Little Monsters Fun Factory.

Call 01506 828138 for more info.

Hippodrome

Some 97 years after the first customers took their seats in the grand picture palace, The Hippodrome re-opens its doors to the public, recreating the golden age of cinema, using 21^st century technology. The A-listed building designed by local architect Matthew Steele was completed in 1911 and is a rare example of pre-art deco cinema architecture and Scotland’s oldest purpose-built picture house.

Further Information

The Hippodrome, 10 Hope Street, Bo’ness, EH51 0AA

Box Office: 01324 506 850

Email: hippodrome@falkirk.gov.uk

A full cinema programme is now available.

Barbara Davidson Pottery

Established in 1964, the Larbert based pottery offers visitors the opportunity to purchase a wide range of products as well as learn about the processes involved and both adults and children can "Have a go" at making their own pots ready for decorating.

The workshop is open outside of July and August and pre-arranged demonstrations are welcome for a small charge A video presentation can be shown when no work is being carried out.

Opening Times
Monday to Saturday: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Closed 25th, 26th December and 1st, 2nd, 3rd January

Contact Details
Muirhall Farm, Larbert, Stirlingshire, FK4 4EW
Website: www.barbara-davidson.com
Tel. 01324 554430

Polmonthill Ski Slope

Ever fancied yourself as a skier or snowboarder? If so, here’s your chance! Polmonthill offers a 100 metre Dendix slope and 25 metre beginner's slope. A button tow is provided and a misting sprinkler system is used to keep things slippery. Whether its skies, snowboards or rubber rings, there’s fun for all ages. Equipment is available for hire and both ski and snowboarding lessons can be booked.

Equipment Hire
Boots from size 1 - 11.5
Snowboards from 109cm to 160

Admission
1 hour practice without equipment hire:
Adult - £3.85
Junior - £2.75
1 hour practice with equipment hire:
Adult - £8.45
Junior - £5.45

Lessons
With equipment hire:
Adult - £21.15
Junior - £16.85

Private lessons may also be available.

Contact Details
Polmont Farm
Polmont
Falkirk
FK2 0YE

Website: Visit Scotland

Tel. 01324 503835

Megazone Laser Arena

Experience the fun of our specially constructed laser arena in the heart of Falkirk.

Open times are 12 noon to 10pm every day except Monday when we open at 4pm.

Contact Details
104 Grahams Road,
Falkirk
Tel: 01324 634828
http://www.laserarena.co.uk

Xtreme Karting

Xtreme Karting offers a range of different karting formats for Adults and Cadets (aged 10-15), with exciting sessions available for individuals and small to large groups. High performance Rimo Evo 4 racing karts and an exciting indoor track layout ensures you will experience karting at its best.

Practice sessions (Arrive and Drive) are available without booking on a first come first serve basis. Please call us however in advance just to check track availability and avoid disappointment.

Contact Details
Lochlands Business Park,
Larbert,
Falkirk

Tel: 01324 579797

www.xtremekarting.co.uk