Coatbridge factfile

How to get to Coatbridge
Lying 14 km (9 mi) east of Glasgow, Coatbridge is well served by three major motorways; the M73 to the north, the M8/A8 connecting Glasgow to Edinburgh and the M74 to the south. It is also served by three train lines and a good bus network.

Coatbridge through the ages
The quiet 18th-century town of Coatbridge was changed forever by the discovery of ironstone in the area in 1801. By the middle of the 19th century, the town boasted more blast furnaces than any other in Scotland.

Coatbridge was affected by the slump in shipbuilding in the 20th century. But in recent years, thanks to government and European Union grants, the town has seen a remarkable regeneration.

Things to see and do around Coatbridge
Coatbridge houses Summerlee Industrial Museum, the Scottish museum of industrial life. The attraction offers a fascinating insight into the life and times of those who toiled in the iron industry in the 19th century.

Based around the site of the Summerlee Ironworks, the museum covers 22 acres. There's a reconstructed mine and miners' cottages so that visitors can experience the cramped conditions at first hand. Other attractions include an open-top Edwardian tram ride, a vast exhibition hall and a play park for children.

Sports and leisure in Coatbridge
Right at the heart of Coatbridge is The Time Capsule. This vast leisure complex has a prehistoric-themed waterpark, complete with a landscape of steam, tidal waves, geysers, a volcano, a primeval swamp and, of course, dinosaurs. Other facilities include an ice-rink and play area.

Coatbridge boasts two 18-hole golf courses. Drumpellier Golf Club is a challenging, undulating course running through picturesque parkland. Coatbridge Golf Club has a course built around two lochs, and offers both tight tree-lined fairways and open parkland.

Eating and drinking in Coatbridge
The rejuvenation of Coatbridge has brought a new cosmopolitan approach to dining in the town. As well as offering the traditional Indian and Chinese cuisines, new eateries serving Mediterranean food have become popular, and some of Coatbridge's more prominent hotels now offer fine dining experiences.

Natural beauty spots around Coatbridge
To the west of Coatbridge lies the stunning Drumpellier Country Park. Covering an area of 500 acres, the park includes two lochs, Loch Woodend and Loch Lochend. Visitors can enjoy picturesque nature trails and picnic sites, or for those who prefer to spend time on the water, seasonal boat hire and angling (course and game) are available.

Famous landmarks in Coatbridge
The grand red sandstone building in the town centre is the Carnegie Library. Designed by local architect Alexander Cullen in the early 1900s, the library was part of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie's plan to make books available to all. Carnegie himself attended the opening in 1906.