Fauldhouse: Forest Trails, Moorland and Mining History

Fauldhouse combines nature experiences, active excursions and traces of the region’s mining history. Between forests, moorland and former mining areas, there are various options for planning your trip: you can include short walks in your daily schedule, take a longer cycle tour, make use of sports facilities or learn about the development of the surrounding area. Those looking for holiday accommodation in Fauldhouse will find a destination whose character is particularly easy to discover through its specific landscapes and activities.

Forest, moorland and a surfaced circular path

Fauldhouse Forest lies in the moorland between Fauldhouse and Whitburn. The land was previously used for the extraction of coal, iron and clay. Knowes Colliery Woodland on the southern edge of Fauldhouse offers further insight into the connection between the natural environment and mining history. The 18-hectare coniferous woodland was established on former coal-mining land.

For a manageable walk, there is a 1.2 km surfaced circular path. Benches, signage and information boards are part of the facilities, as are improved access points. Fauldhouse railway station is about a two-minute walk from the woodland, as the station is next to Knowes Colliery Woodland. This specific connection can provide important guidance when planning your day if you want to combine nature and arrival without a long additional walk.

Knowes Colliery Woodland also provides a habitat for roe deer, foxes, woodland birds and Orange Tip butterflies. If you are travelling with children, observing these animals can be planned as a quiet counterpoint to more sporting activities, without having to set the visit to a particular pace.

Paths for walks and cycle tours

The western section of the WL24 Fauldhouse Rail Path offers views across Greenburn Golf Course and the hills beyond. It therefore complements the forest trails with a route where the landscape and views of the surrounding area are the main focus. The B7010 cycle path from Fauldhouse to Longridge runs away from the road, connects the two communities and was completed in October 2018.

Sports, swimming and golf

Fauldhouse Partnership Centre has a 3G artificial-turf pitch. It can be divided into three small-sided pitches for seven-a-side football or into a regular full-size pitch for eleven-a-side football. The sports hall at the Centre can be hired. Fauldhouse Swimming Pool also has a steam room. These facilities offer additional options for days when exercise or an activity other than walking is the main focus.

Greenburn Golf Club also offers several specific points to consider when planning your trip. The 18-hole course combines parkland and moorland, is 6,067 yards long and has a par of 71. The club has been at its current location for more than 50 years. If you would like to combine golf with walks, woodland wildlife observation or a cycle tour, you can take your preferred focus into account when choosing your accommodation.

Mining history and remembrance

Extensive deep mining began in the area around Fauldhouse and Whitburn in the 1840s and 1850s, initially for iron ore. The former mining areas, where Knowes Colliery Woodland is now located among other sites, give this historical subject a specific connection to the landscape. There is also a memorial bench for the victims of the Second World War at Fauldhouse War Memorial. This allows you to add a quiet place of remembrance to your stay, without the trip having to focus exclusively on nature or sport.

Fauldhouse as a base for your trip

When looking for holiday accommodation or another type of accommodation in Fauldhouse, it is worth first organising your preferred experiences: should the 1.2 km circular path in the woodland be the main focus, would you like to use the WL24 Fauldhouse Rail Path and the B7010 cycle path, or are you planning to include additional sports and golf facilities? Prices, availability and specific features should be checked for each individual property.

For further comparisons between locations, you can also look at Whitburn, Pumpherston, Bridgend, Dunbar, East Calder, Uphall, Livingston and Kirknewton.

For the broader travel overview: Lothian.