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A wildlife haven with wonderful views beneath a rocky outcrop, close to the heart of the city

Todds Well

Take a stroll at Todds Well

Enjoy a taste of open country in the city of Glasgow at lovely Todds Well wood. It’s a mix of open heath, wildflower meadows and young woodland, and a great place for wildlife. On a clear day, you can find open views towards the Campsie Fells and see if you can spot Ben Lomond. You’ll find a map and more details in our Todds Well leaflet.

There’s plenty of history here too. Just across the road from Todds Well is the 15th century manor house of Provan Hall, one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow.

There’s a network of about a mile (2km) of trails across the site. The paths are mostly wide, smooth and firm – ideal for walking, cycling and for buggies and pushchairs – although there are some moderate slopes on the eastern side of the wood. You can also explore a bit further afield – follow the path out towards the former Gartloch Hospital to join a grassy path to Bishop Loch.

Walking Cycling Horse riding Viewpoint

Life’s essentials

You can find toilets and plenty of places to eat, drink and shop at nearby Glasgow Fort retail park and the The Lochs Shopping Centre in Easterhouse. There are also toilets at GESH Community Centre in Garthamlock (G33 5EG) and Easterhouse Health Centre (G34 9HQ).

Walking trails


Cycling trails


Mountain biking trails


Wildlife watching

The mix of heath, grassland, wetland and woodland attracts a wealth of wildlife. Listen for the sweet songs of a variety of warblers, including willow warbler, whitethroat and reed bunting, and watch the skies for kestrels and buzzards hunting.

The wildflowers on the grassy slopes attract plenty of butterflies and insects in summer, including the distinctive six-spot burnet moth, and foxes and deer are often seen at dawn and dusk.

Easterhouse and the Bishops Estate Forest

Five wonderful woodlands spread across Greater Easterhouse and the Bishops Estate, so called because the land here was once owned by the medieval Bishops of Glasgow. All the woods are different, but each makes a great getaway without leaving the city. You can enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding, wildlife spotting or simply sit back to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Glasgow City Council owns the land here, while we at Forestry Commission Scotland manage the woods. Together, we have improved the trails across the Easterhouse woods and planted new native woodland to create more green spaces for people and wildlife in the city.

Seven Lochs Wetland Park

Todd's Well is part of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park. Destined to become Scotland's largest urban nature park, the Seven Lochs Wetland Park is an exciting new Green Network project. Bringing together 20 square kilometres of lochs, parks, nature reserves and woodlands between Glasgow and Coatbridge, the park offers an exciting range of things to see and do. With seven lochs, five local nature reserves, a country park and one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings at Provan Hall, plus miles of waking and cycling routes to explore, the park is the perfect place to unwind from the stresses of city life.

Over the next five years Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership, Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire Council, Forestry Commission Scotland and others will work together to develop the park as a place for people, nature and heritage. With lots of activities to encourage recreation and education, and a range of ways to get involved in the park, we hope there’s something for everyone.

Contact: Scottish Lowlands Forest District

Address: Five Sisters House, Five Sisters Business Park, West Calder

Postcode: EH55 8PN

Telephone: 0300 067 6700

Email: scottishlowlands@forestry.gsi.gov.uk


How to get here

Todds Well lies just to the west of Easterhouse, not far from Junction 10 on the M8.

The main entrance into the wood is off Conisborough Road. Turn onto Conisborough Road from Auchinlea Road, opposite Glasgow Fort and Provan Hall. Look out for a sign for the wood on the left about 75 yards (75 metres) up the hill, just beyond the first bus stop, at grid reference NS 667 664.

There is no formal car park for the wood but plenty of on-street parking nearby.

Using SatNav?

G34 9QD is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

There are regular trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Easterhouse railway station. Find details at Traveline Scotland.

Nearby places

There are four other woods to explore around Easterhouse.

Follow in the footsteps of the medieval Bishops of Glasgow to explore tranquil Bishop Loch – it’s steeped in history and a great place for wildlife spotting and bird watching.

Head to Cardowan for another peaceful woodland with plenty of wildlife thriving amongst its trees, ponds and wetlands – and a hidden sculpture.

There are attractive woods and summertime wildflower meadows at Lochend Burn, or you can watch for birds of prey at quiet West Maryston wood, and get a bird’s eye view of your own over the lost villages of Easterhouse and out to Tinto Hill.

For more bird-watching and easy trails for the whole family, visit nearby Hogganfield Park with its lovely loch and island bird sanctuary. A little further east of the city is Drumpellier Country Park, with more scenic lochs, canals and woodland full of wildlife.


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