Explore 600 years of Scottish History with a visit to one of Scotland's finest country houses.
Within the house, actors in period costume recreate the 1825 Kitchen, Printer's and Clockmaker's Workshops of the early 19th Century, the Georgian Garden and a General Store.
Permanent exhibitions are William Forbes's Falkirk from the days of the Jacobites to the coming of the railways and the Story of Callendar House from the 11th Century to the present day.
There are two temporary exhibition galleries, a History Research Centre, Gift Shop and Georgian Teashop.
Dating from the 14th century, Callendar House is set in the nationally important historic designed landscape of Callendar Park. The Park has a long history dating all the way back to the construction of the Antonine Wall in 142AD. The estate has been gradually developed since the 12th century, eventually coming into public ownership in the mid 1960s.
The House's permanent displays are The Story of Callendar House, a history covering the 11th to the 19th centuries, The Antonine Wall, Rome's Northern Frontier, and Falkirk Crucible of Revolution 1750 to 1850, which tells how the local area was transformed during the first century of the industrial era.
In the restored 1825 Kitchen, costumed interpreters create an exciting interactive experience with samples of early 19th century food providing added taste to stories of working life in a large household.
The Park Gallery offers a changing programme of contemporary visual art exhibitions, while different aspects of cultural heritage are explored in the 2nd Floor Galleries exhibition space.
Falkirk Archives are based here with the search room occupying the House's Victorian library.
Covering over 170 acres and housing the magnificent Callendar House, Callendar Park is the is the finest park within the Falkirk area and a great place for a day out. Callendar Park has something for everyone, whether you're looking for an action packed day or a place to take the children for a picnic and a play.
The Park is a historically-important designed landscape, listed in The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland. The woodlands and gardens host a number of interesting historical features including an Arboretum, Ornamental Gardens and a family Mausoleum.
The Arboretum areas to the south of Callendar House are home to exotic trees, Rhododendron and other shrubs. Forrest was a Falkirk-born plant hunter who spent years exploring China at the turn of last century. He found thousands of exotic and rare species that were brought back to the UK for planting and further study. Various plants including Rhododendrons, Maple (Acer forrestii) and Pieris (Pieris forrestii 'Wakehurst') are now found thriving in the Park.
The Forbes Mausoleum, designed by Archibald Elliot in 1816, is an imposing construction in the Greek Doric style. The mausoleum is located to the south east of Callendar House in a circular enclosure with a stone wall and surrounding ditch.
Callendar Wood is managed by the Forestry Commission and occupies the southern half of the estate. It is a Listed Scottish Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Site and has a number of interesting historical artefacts and a series of way marked trails and bridleways.
The park is home to a beautiful undulating par three golf course set in stunning woodland that will test your skills over 9 holes ranging up to 142 yards. There's a staffed locker room, incorporating a General Purpose room which is available for hire. Clubs and balls are also available for hire.
Other amenities include:
Bouncy castle
Children's giant inflatable slide
Crazy golf
Childrens Go Karts
Swan pedalos (can carry up to five people)
Large children's play area
Snacks Kiosk
These amenities are seasonal and operate from April - September.
The Kiosk is open daily for hot and cold snacks and drinks.
All year Monday to Saturday 10.00 - 17.00
(April to September Sunday 14.00 - 17.00)
Admission Free
Callendar House
Callendar Park
Falkirk FK1 1YR
Telephone 01324 503770
Photographs © Falkirk Community Trust
