Broxburn Area Guide
Broxburn is a small town in West Lothian located 12 miles from Edinburgh's West End and 5 miles north of Livingston. Broxburn, also known as "the Valley of the Badgers" (from "brock's burn," where brock is an old name for a badger and burn is a Scots word for a stream), has a variety of local attractions and facilities, including high-quality butcher shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and cosy Scottish pubs. The Union Canal passes through Broxburn on its way through Scotland's home counties and provides visitors with various outdoor activities such as walks, cycling, and boat rides.
Broxburn has a diverse housing stock, including detached and semi-detached properties, flats, terraced houses, and villas. The average house price in this area is £196,198. Local nurseries, schools, and universities are all close by, making it a great location to raise a family.
The History of Broxburn
Broxburn only entered history in the early 1820s with the arrival of the Union Canal, followed by the railway in 1849. The fundamental transformation came in 1858 when it was discovered that Broxburn and the surrounding area were built on layers of rich oil-bearing shales. As a result, Broxburn played an essential role in West Lothian's remarkable oil boom, based on mineral oil extracted from shale and coal. Today, the Union Canal is used for fishing and recreational boating rather than as a transport link. Broxburn now has two industrial areas. These are the Greendykes Industrial Estate and the East Mains Industrial Estate, which provide local employment.Schools & Colleges in Broxburn
Schools and Colleges In Broxburn
Parents can be confident that their children are in safe hands in Broxburn. There are nurseries, primary and secondary schools all rated good by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.
Travel Connections
Broxburn has excellent transport option. The region is served by several daily buses with Lothian Country and E&M Horsburgh among the operators that serve the town. The area is well connected to Edinburgh, Livingston, Linlithgow, and Glasgow and it has excellent connections to central Scotland.
The A899 connects Broxburn and Livingston. From Broxburn to Edinburgh, it's a 45 min (12.9 miles) drive via Glasgow Rd/A8 and A90.
Uphall railway station is the closest station, with direct connections to Edinburgh, Livingston, Bathgate, Airdrie, and Glasgow.
Edinburgh Airport is just 5 miles (8.0 kilometres) from Broxburn.
Areas of Interest
Hopetoun Farm Shop
Hopetoun Farm Shop features some of Scotland's finest foods, including beef, lamb, game, and poultry raised on the Hopetoun Estate, as well as a variety of produce from award-winning suppliers. The farm shop also has a fantastic selection of preserves, cereals, marinades, soups, smoked fish, ready meals, confectionery, and a well-stocked drinks department. So it's worth a look if you want to treat yourself!
The Union Canal
The Union Canal was conceived as a direct route for Edinburgh residents to get cheap coal sources in the West. It was formally closed to navigation in 1965 but reopened in 2001, and it is the largest canal restoration project in the United Kingdom. It's now a peaceful place to walk, jog or cycle with lots of wildlife to see.
Broxburn Viaduct
This Victorian viaduct, built in 1842, has seven brick and stone arches that carry the Network Rail-owned Edinburgh to Bathgate line. It sits alongside walking trails and is a fine example of its era if you want a closer look.
Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
Almondell & Calderwood Country Park offers stunning woodland and riverside walks, picnic areas with seating, and a hireable barbecue facility, perfect for families. Take time to explore the 220 acres of forest, and you will see roe deer, heron, and woodpeckers. The park's visitor centre has displays, a gallery, aquaria, information, and a cosy conservatory for refreshments. The Country Park is open throughout the year, and admission is free.
Almond Valley
Situated in a mile-long woodland setting next to the River Almond, you'll find the old stone watermill and byres - home to friendly farm animals including horses, donkeys, cattle, pigs, goats and sheep, chickens, ducks, and geese. There are also rabbits, guinea pigs, budgies, and other aviary-dwellers! On the other side of the river, find the trampolines, pedal go-carts and super-fast subterranean sledges set among woods and gardens. There are also indoor soft play areas and a café – Morag's Milk Bar – for hot and cold drinks, snacks and lunches.
The Union Canal
The Union Canal runs through Broxburn. It is now used for fishing and recreational boating rather than as a transport route. It has a towpath that was once used by horses to pull canal barges but is now a pedestrian route. The path along the waterway is now popular with cyclists, runners, and walkers.