Renfrewshire district, Scotland, United Kingdom

Places to visit near Johnstone

Johnstone is a town in Renfrewshire district, Scotland, United Kingdom, home to about 16,390 people. Within 50 km by road there are 247 places to visit — 88 forts & heritage, 66 churches, 20 hill stations & viewpoints and 25 parks. The must-see places are Johnstone Castle (1 km), Gleniffer Braes (5 km) and St Machars (5 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Johnstone on the map

Johnstone, Scotland
Johnstone, Renfrewshire district, Scotland, United Kingdom. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Johnstone at a glance

Location
Renfrewshire district, Scotland, United Kingdom
Population
about 16,390
Coordinates
55.8291° N, 4.5160° W
Places within 50 km
247 (247 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Johnstone

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Johnstone: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Johnstone, by type

Forts & heritage near Johnstone

101 forts & heritage within 100 km of Johnstone. The closest is Johnstone Castle (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Johnstone

68 churches within 100 km of Johnstone. The closest is St Machars (5 km). Best time: year-round.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Johnstone

42 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Johnstone. The closest is Gleniffer Braes (5 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Parks near Johnstone

25 parks within 100 km of Johnstone. The closest is Fountain Gardens (8 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Johnstone

18 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Johnstone. The closest is Castle Semple Loch (8 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Museums near Johnstone

13 museums within 100 km of Johnstone. The closest is Paisley Museum and Art Galleries (7 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Johnstone

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 36 km on the road.

  1. Start in Johnstone
  2. 1 km Johnstone Castle · heritage site, Renfrewshire
  3. 5 km Gleniffer Braes · viewpoint, Renfrewshire
  4. 5 km Thomas Coats Memorial Church · monument, Renfrewshire
  5. 11 km St Machars · church, Renfrewshire
  6. 7 km Semple Collegiate Church · heritage site, Renfrewshire
  7. 7 km Back to Johnstone

Plan a longer trip from Johnstone — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Johnstone

No traveller has reported from around Johnstone yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Johnstone

    All places near Johnstone by distance

    Within 15 km of Johnstone

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Johnstone by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage88101Johnstone Castle (1 km)
    Churches6668St Machars (5 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints2042Gleniffer Braes (5 km)
    Parks2525Fountain Gardens (8 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs918Castle Semple Loch (8 km)
    Museums1313Paisley Museum and Art Galleries (7 km)
    Beaches & coast79Cloch Lighthouse (32 km)
    Treks47Clyde Walkway (39 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens56Dawsholm Park Local Nature Reserve (18 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves66Inchcailloch (35 km)
    Mosques & dargahs22Al Furqan Mosque (20 km)
    Caves22Cleeves Cove (23 km)

    Johnstone: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Johnstone?

    Johnstone Castle (heritage site, about 1 km), Gleniffer Braes (viewpoint, about 5 km), St Machars (church, about 5 km), Semple Collegiate Church (heritage site, about 7 km), Thomas Coats Memorial Church (monument, about 7 km), Paisley Museum and Art Galleries (museum, about 7 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Johnstone?

    247 places on Spotwander: 88 forts & heritage, 66 churches, 20 hill stations & viewpoints, 25 parks, 9 lakes, dams & reservoirs.

    Which is the nearest fort to Johnstone?

    Johnstone Castle, about 1 km by road; Semple Collegiate Church (7 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Johnstone?

    St Machars, about 5 km by road; Thomas Coats Memorial Church (7 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Johnstone?

    Gleniffer Braes, about 5 km by road; Neilston Pad (11 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Johnstone?

    Start in Johnstone, visit Johnstone Castle, then Gleniffer Braes, then Thomas Coats Memorial Church, then St Machars, then Semple Collegiate Church, and drive back — about 36 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Johnstone?

    October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Johnstone

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Johnstone’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Johnstone on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.