Home to the United Kingdom’s submarine fleet, Helensburgh is an upmarket coastal town where the First of Clyde, East Clyde and Gareloch meet. It lies directly across from the port of Greenock and was the birthplace of John Logie Baird, an electrical engineer and innovator who is considered the “Father of Television”.
Things to do in Helensburgh
Operated by the National Trust, Hill House is a British Art Nouveau-style residence designed by Charles and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. It was built for the publisher Walter Blackie in the early 20th century and was considered cutting edge for its time. You can wander through its rooms decorated with original furnishings and textiles before grabbing a drink at the on-site cafe.
One of Helensburgh’s most popular attractions is the Scottish Submarine Centre, where you can immerse yourself in the underwater world of submarines. The exhibition focuses on the X51- HMS Stickleback, which played an important role in the British Royal Navy. Learn about the brave submariners who crewed these vessels while watching laser shows being projected onto the submarines.
A short stroll from the Scottish Submarine Centre is Hermitage Park, which encompasses almost five hectares of formal gardens and fields. You can take advantage of the well-maintained bowling and putting greens, let loose on the children’s playground or explore the site’s historic mill. Also within the park is a bust of the locally-born Scottish inventor, John Logie Baird.
Getting around Helensburgh
Helensburgh is around 45 minutes’ drive from Glasgow and 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Regular trains connect to the Helensburgh Central railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Helensburgh can easily be explored on foot.