Greenbank House and Garden

Less than a mile from the suburban bustle of Clarkston on the south side of Glasgow, Greenbank Garden is a tranquil celebration of the gardener’s art.

About Greenbank House and Garden

	Greenbank Garden Flenders Road, Clarkston G768RB
	01416165126
	Greenbank House and Garden Website
	Facebook information can be found here

Listed Under Attractions - Gardens and Parks / Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - History and Culture

Set immaculately in the grounds of a Grade-A listed Georgian House, Greenbank provides ample inspiration for gardeners, whilst a wander through the soaring beeches and chattering waters of the woodland walk will relax and refresh the spirit. You can also simply relax in the garden and let the sights, sounds, fragrances and atmosphere of this beautiful urban oasis work its unique magic.

History of Greenbank House & Garden
The Georgian house was built in 1763 by a Glasgow merchant by the name of Robert Allason. Allason was a local man who had begun life as a baker, before setting up with his brothers in Port Glasgow as a trader. He made his fortune trading with Britain's American colonies, eventually becoming a land-holder in the Caribbean. The profits from trade in both tobacco and slaves, allowed him to purchase Flenders Farm (land his family had worked for centuries) and establish the house. However, Allason's trading interests later suffered during the American War of Independence.

Over the next two centuries the house had a number of owners until 1962 when it was bought by William Blyth who, with his wife, transformed the grounds from fruit and vegetable growing to the ornamental gardens that are seen today. In 1976, the house, walled garden and estate was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland.

The Gardens
One of the great attractions of Greenbank Garden is its layout. The garden is divided into around a dozen different areas, each with its own character, by the skilful use of hedging and tall plants. Each area is completely different from the next and as the seasons change so do some of the flower beds, as they are replanted with seasonal flowers.

The garden has around 3000 different species of flower, though with the changing seasons not all are on show at any one time. Visitors can make use of the large encyclopaedia of plants located in the National Trust tea room which adjoins the gardens to identify some of the more unusual plants.

When the garden was bequeathed to the National Trust by the Blyths they asked that the gardens should be used for educational purposes and as a result much of the planting has been designed to be a source of inspiration to ordinary gardeners who can be inspired to recreate some of the layouts in their own gardens.

In addition to the house and walled garden, visitors can wander round the 16 acres of woodland. These are at their best in the spring when the daffodils and rhododendrons are in bloom.

Family Friendly
Regular garden walks, suitable for all ages, are educational and informative – and are also loads of fun! The woodland walk is also ideal for a family ramble – and dogs are welcome too.

Children of all ages will love the topiary garden, featuring a giant owl and a slowly growing pussycat – as well as the millennium bug. Close by is the magical glade featuring Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson’s beautiful sculpture of a water sprite, ‘Foam’.

During the summer months, families can wander through Greenbank House every Sunday and take time out to leaf through some definitive horticultural texts in the comfort of the Allason family library.

There’s also a regular series of family events on at the gardens throughout the year. These range from barbecues through schools competitions and seasonal events such as the Cadbury Easter egg trails and special commemorative events.

Cafe, Shop & Facilities at Greenbank House & Garden
There is an NTS gift shop and plant sales, with a changing range of plants available. Please telephone for shop/reception/tearoom opening times on 0141 616 5126.

The tearoom serves tea/coffee, cold drinks and a selection of cakes & biscuits.

Assistance dogs are welcome within the walled garden. Other dogs can be walked through the woodland walk (please keep dogs on a lead).

Water is provided in the Courtyard. Parking at the property is available 75 metres from the reception/tearoom/shop. For disabled visitors, parking is available adjacent to the reception.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Greenbank House and Garden are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at Greenbank House and Garden

Shopping

Greenbank Garden Market

Selected dates between 8th December 2024

Greenbank House and Garden, Clarkston

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