I recently enjoyed a visit to The Helix, a 350-hectare green space between Falkirk and Grangemouth. The centrepiece of The Helix is The Kelpies – the world’s largest equine sculptures – and I also had the opportunity to take a look inside these magnificent structures. Find out more about what there is to do at The Helix…
History of The Helix
The Helix was developed as a project to transform and improve the connections between, and around, 16 communities in the Falkirk Council area. This includes the eastern end of the Forth & Clyde Canal and and area near where the canal joins the River Carron.
- The Helix has been awarded 5-star visitor attraction status by VisitScotland.
- The Helix has a Green Tourism bronze award (currently aiming for gold)
- The Helix was awarded a Green Flag Award.
- Have a read about sustainability.
- This year, The Helix was given a 100% perfection award as part of a visitor attraction mystery visit programme.
- This month, The Helix won the award for `Best Visitor Attraction Experience` at the VisitScotland’s Regional Thistle Awards. The park will go on to the National Final in February 2023.
- The Kelpies have also been named as the 10th most beautiful attraction in the `UK.
What can I do at The Helix?
There is a wealth of things to do at The Helix and it is ideal for families. The park is free to enter, including parking, which makes it affordable day out. You could also arrive by train and walk to The Helix (5km from Falkirk High and 3km from Falkirk Grahamston), or how about using the train and your bikes? Read about getting there.
I visited The Helix during a ride of the HaRTT route.
In addition, there are e-bikes for hire at The Helix. Check out the Forth Bike website.
More for families to do
Adventure Zone playpark and Splash Play area: There is play equipment for children aged from two in the timber playpark. A splash play area is also fun for kids of all ages. Note: Younger children should wear swim nappies and it’s advised you bring plenty of towels and a change of clothing.
Accessible play: There is a sensory play area with wind chimes, ball tumbles, flat rubber mat flooring, as well as a wheelchair friendly roundabout and see saw.
Wheelchair friendly: The Helix has flat and easily accessible pathways, plus there is a Changing Places space.
Green space: The green space at The Helix is vast and offers the chance to benefit from spending time outdoors amid nature. There are many studies that show that being outdoors, especially if you are walking, running, cycling or doing another activity, is good for both mental and physical well-being. The Helix is also Covid safe.
Traffic-free paths: The smooth paths are ideal for walking, running and cycling: The Helix connects 16 communities via 26kms of paths, so whether you are a runner, stroller, dog walker or cyclist, there’s plenty of room for everyone. Also check out the Welly Walk.
As well as being on the HaRTT route, The Helix is linked to two National Cycle Routes and the John Muir Way, which runs coast to coast across Scotland.
Take a Kelpie Tour
You can’t miss the huge Kelpies and it might that you simply want to sit back on a conveniently positioned bench and enjoy the view. Or walk towards the Kelpies and gaze up at the magnificent structures. Better still, how about joining a tour to go inside the giant heads`?
There are guided tours – FREE in January 2023 – that reveal the vision of artist Andy Scott and how history and industry combined to create his designs of the amazing sculptures. You also get to go inside one of the Kelpies and see the incredible engineering from the interior.
I enjoyed a tour led by a really informative and lively guide, during which I learned lots of fascinating facts about the Kelpies.
(You usually need to pay for a tour.)
The Helix Visitor Centre
Open seven days, the Visitor Centre has a shop full of imaginative gifts and cards, plus a lovely Winter Warmer cafe. There is a good range of freshly prepared food, whether it’s for a snack, breakfast or lunch. They aim to use fresh, seasonal produce where possible. Why not take advantage of loyalty card for free drinks if you plan to return a few times?
More places to eat and drink: The Plaza Café sits in the heart of Helix Park overlooking the Lagoon. It is an ideal stop off as you walk/cycle through the park, heading towards The Kelpies.
Find out more about this gem in the heart of Central Scotland
- I was invited to visit The Helix and write about my experience. All my words and thoughts are my own. Thanks also to Denise McGregor for some photos.