The Helix - Falkirk
Repawter – Tess

Mum has always wanted to visit the Kelpies. During Dad’s holiday from work (code for muttering from the spare room!) we took Mum to see the Kelpies. Mum said The Kelpies did not disappoint and I had great fun dragging Dad around! On the way back to the car, I had a little paddle in the cool water and Mum said that we now have our own little kelpie!

About
The Helix was born in 2003 as part of the Falkirk Greenspace Initiative to build an ecoparkin 350 hectares of land between Falkirk and Grangemouth. The Helix connects 16 local communities through extensive path networks.

Standing 30 metres (100ft) tall, The Kelpies tower over all around them and pay homage to the working horses of Scotland, which would pull barges along Scotland’s canals, and worked in the field in the area where they stand. The Kelpies stand at a new canal extension the links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the North Sea. In Celtic legend, a kelpie (aka water-kelpie) is a shape-shifting spirit that inhabits Scottish lochs.

Dog Friendly
Well behaved dogs are allowed in the park. Assistance dogs are allowed inside the Kelpies, the café and the shop.

Entry Charge
No charge to get into the park. The Kelpie Tour has a charge - Adult £5.00, Concession £4.50, Child Free (2 children with 1 adult)

Parking
The Helix has 3 car parks and during busy periods you can park at Falkirk Stadium. The car park nearest the Kelpies and visitor centre has a £5 charge. All blue badge parking is always free of charge. Car park opening hours: April – Oct 8am until 10pm, Nov – Mar 8am until 8pm.

Facilities
At the Kelpies Hub, there are the visitor centre (toilets, café & gift shop), food vans (Dad’s millionaire shortbread and Mum’s white chocolate flapjack were yummy. I brought my own treats – maybe they need to sell some liver-cake!), Horsebox Café, and Kelpies Marina. In Helix Park there are The Lagoons, The Great Lawn, Kelpies Hub, Splash play area, Falkirk Stadium, Plaza Cafe, Adventure Zone and Wetlands

Notes
It gets busy, so arrive early.

Contact
Tel: 01324 590600
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website:
www.thehelix.co.uk