The Boilerhouse @ Hidden Gardens, Glasgow

The Boilerhouse @ Hidden Gardens. A new community building and walled garden opened to the public on 6 May 2006.

Made possible by a contribution of £98,000 from National Lottery funds, the new facility has been named The Boilerhouse due to its location within the grounds of the former Coplawhill Tram Works. It has also used some of the original brick walls from the tram works’ boilerhouse within its structures.    

Designed by architects Chris Stewart Architects, The Boilerhouse provides much needed indoor workshop space for use by community groups and the public.  In addition to the main workshop space, which features a floor recycled from a school gym hall, there is office space for the Garden’s core staff and a community kitchen that will be used for a range of healthy eating and cultural cookery initiatives.  

The new walled garden area has been designed by landscape architects City Design Co-operative, who won several awards for their design for the original Hidden Gardens.

This area will function as a productive gardening area with a range of plants being grown by Hidden Gardens volunteers for their medicinal, cultural or culinary properties. 

Lesley Scott, Chair of the Hidden Gardens Trust, which has recently assumed responsibility for the Gardens, said, 'The Boilerhouse is a vital addition to the work we do at the Gardens.  It will enable us to deliver a range of new services with local communities such as healthy eating initiatives, educational and environmental workshops.  We are also looking forward to developing a range of cultural cookery and arts and crafts workshops utilising materials grown in the gardens.'  

Hidden Gardens in Glasgow is Scotland’s award-winning public gardens and community greenspace, based at the Tramway in Pollokshields, Glasgow. It is also Scotland’s first sanctuary garden dedicated to peace.

The Boilerhouse has been made possible through the funding support of Scottish Arts Council Lottery Funding, The Big Lottery Fund (Fresh Futures), Hanson Environment Fund, Biffaward, Glasgow City Council’s South Area Committee, and the Lankelly Foundation.  

If you require further information on the Hidden Gardens or require images, please contact Linda Macdonald, Resource Manager on 0141 433 2722 or email Linda@thehiddengardens.org.uk

Visit the Hidden Gardens website 

Funded by National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council