As well as community sports groups, there are general outdoor recreation facilities.
Walks, Parks, and Natural Features
Murieston is proud of its outdoor spaces, particularly Murieston Trail and Linhouse Circular.
Murieston Trail
Murieston Trail is one of West Lothian council’s core paths and has pleasant walks through the woods alongside Murieston Water. It includes Murieston Play Park, Campbridge Pond and the category B listed bridge below Murieston House. Campbridge Pond is a flooded limestone quarry which was operated by the former Murieston Lime Works in the 19th century on the Burdiehouse limestone. The Woodland Trust also look after a small strip of ancient woodland with relatively high biodiversity potential adjacent to Murieston Road.
Linhouse Circular
The Linhouse Circular walk (2.1 miles) is part of West Lothian’s core paths and another valued local recreation area. It provides access to Linhouse Glen nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It was previously the site of Contentibus Farm, owned by the Right Honourable Lord Torphichen, and then Oakbank Oil Works ‘Contentibus’ shale bing.
Bankton Mains Park
Bankton Mains Park incorporates a children’s play area and various community sports facilities.
- Bankton Bowling Club
- Bankton Park children’s playground
- football pitches and clubhouse (home to Murieston United Community Football Club)
- Junior Parkruns are held weekly
- a cricket pitch (Livingston Cricket Club)
Murieston Castle Dog Park
- Murieston Castle Dog Park (private dog park)
Walks Further Afield
If you want to go further afield, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is a short drive, and West Lothian has a greater variety of parks, gardens, and woodlands to enjoy. There is also a walk further south to Linn Jaw Waterfall, Linn Cauldron, and a weir.
Almond Valley Heritage Centre also has outdoor activities.
Public Art
Sculptures on Roundabouts
Two sculptures were erected by David Wilson in 1996 on roundabouts on the northern boundary of Murieston. They form part of four prominent abstract sculptures built from natural stone and machined copper and positioned on the roundabouts in Livingston to provide interesting landmarks.
- The ‘Dyke-Swarm’ sculpture at Newpark Roundabout fits into the landscape while providing a focal point for passers by. The sculpture is prominent without being incongruous. The curves on the sculpture make up arch shaped forms which almost resembles a ‘dry stane dyke’ or stone wall.
- The ‘Compass‘ sculpture at Lizzie Brice roundabout is formed from a base made up of a wide platform of stone, tapering up gradually to a thin spike of copper pointing upwards to the sky in a northerly direction.
The other two sculptures (‘NORgate’ at Livingston East roundabout, ‘Chrysalis’ at Eliburn North roundabout) are equally striking and also complement the surrounding landscape.
Art Further Afield
West Lothian is the home of internationally recognised pieces of public art, with over 100 artworks dotted around the region. West Lothian Council has published a downloadable public arts walk around central Livingston and a downloadable document on public art, both of which are very interesting.
It is also worth mentioning Jupiter Artland, a privately run prestigious world-renowned modern outdoor sculpture park just a few miles away.