{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use British English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox UK place | country = Scotland | static_image = Bellsquarry - geograph.org.uk - 990225.jpg | static_image_caption = Surviving houses from the era before Livingston | coordinates = {{coord|55.871|-3.517|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Bellsquarry | label_position = left | population = | os_grid_reference = NT050652 | civil_parish = Mid Calder | lieutenancy_scotland = West Lothian | unitary_scotland = West Lothian | constituency_westminster = Livingston | constituency_scottish_parliament = Almond Valley | post_town = LIVINGSTON | postcode_district = EH54 | postcode_area = EH | dial_code = 01506 }}
'''Bellsquarry''' is a suburban area located in the south-west of Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. Bellsquarry is located to the west of the Murieston area of the town and to the south of the Dedridge area of the town. The Brucefield industrial estate lies on its western edge.
==History== Along with the settlements of Livingston Village and Livingston Station (now Deans), Bellsquarry became part of Livingston new town on its designation in 1962.<ref name=LivHistory>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/livingstons-hoistory-2553865 |title=Livingston's History |publisher=Daily Record |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref>
The name Bellsquarry originates from a former Burdiehouse Limestone quarry and the surname of its owner, Mr Bell.<ref name=Quarry>{{cite web |url=https://shale.avht.co.uk/stories/mr-bells-quarry/ |title=Mr Bells Quarry |publisher=Scottish Shale |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref> The quarry was in operation by 1782 and continued until the early 20th century, when it was used as a rubbish dump before being tidied and covered.<ref name=Quarry/> Some of the former limestone kilns still remain around throughout the area.<ref name=Quarry/><ref name=Woods/>
Brucefield Farm is a former substantial farmhouse built circa 1800 that is now in use as a restaurant.<ref name="WestLothianGuide">{{cite book |last= Jaques and McKean |date=1 September 1994 |title= West Lothian - An Illustrated Architectural Guide |location=Scotland |publisher=The Rutland Press |page=94 |isbn=978-1873190258}}</ref>
==Buildings== As one of the older settlements in Livingston, there are several 19th and early 20th century buildings in Bellsquarry, including Bellsquarry Village Hall.<ref name=Canmore1>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=206785 |num2=NT06NW 28 |desc=Bellsquarry, 25 Calder Road, Village Hall |access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref><ref name=HisScot>{{cite web |url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB44584|title=Bellsquarry 30 Calder Road |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref><ref name=VillageHall>{{cite web |url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/35844/Bellsquarry-Village-Hall|title=Bellsquarry Village Hall|publisher=West Lothian Scotland |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref>
The Elm Tree Inn located at the village square, re-opened in early 2005 as a pub (downstairs) and restaurant (upstairs).
There is one primary school in Bellsquarry, constructed in 1909 by the architect James Graham Fairley. The school has its own adventure trail.<ref name=SchoolTrail>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/new-trim-trail-bellsquarry-primary-17261241 |title=New Trim Trail |publisher=Daily Record |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref>
==Culture== There is a children's play park and several recreation fields in the centre of Bellsquarry. There is also a 17.75 ha (43.86 acres) wooded area known as Bellsquarry Wood, with ponds, and with trails connecting Bellsquarry to Murieston.<ref name=Woods>{{cite web |url=https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/bellsquarry-wood/ |title=Bellsquarry Wood |publisher=Woodland Trust |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref> Bellsquarry wood and the area to the south of the original village was once part of the estate of Newpark House.<ref name=Woods/> The house built in 1806 still survives, being incorporated in a series of new housing developments in the late 20th century.<ref name=Canmore2>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=49111 |num2=NT06SW 20 |desc=Newpark|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> The original orchard exists as part of a new community orchard created in 2011.<ref name=Woods/>
==Transport== Bellsquarry is situated just south of the Edinburgh to Kilmarnock A71 road.
Newpark railway station was a railway station that served Bellsquarry on the Cleland and Midcalder Line between Edinburgh and Glasgow but it closed in 1959.<ref name=Railway>{{cite web |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5206493 |title=Newpark Railway Station |publisher=Geograph |accessdate=13 March 2021}}</ref> Since then the nearest railway station to Bellsquarry is Livingston South railway station.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Bellsquarry}} *[http://www.scottishshale.co.uk/GazWorks/BellsquarryOilworks.html Museum of the Scottish shale oil industry - Bellsquarry Oil Works] *[http://www.livingstoni.co.uk/bellsquarry.htm Pictures of Bellsquarry]
{{Areas of Livingston, West Lothian}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Villages in West Lothian Category:Livingston, West Lothian Category:Populated places in West Lothian