Archives for “Relaxing” tag

First opened in 1817 the Botanic Gardens have become an institution in the West End. Situated on Great Western Road, the gardens are known for their impressive range of Victorian glasshouses and the extensive collections of tropical plants and trees within them.

The gardens are a great place to explore any time of year, but you’ll find it particularly busy in the summer. There are lots of things to do throughout the year with their great programme of events such as weekend craft and book fairs, stargazing and horticultural talks.

With a recent £ 7 million renovation to the most notable glasshouse Kibble Palace (check out the article), the park was given a new lease of life which ensures it will remain a key attraction for locals and tourists alike for many years to come.

Queens Park boasts plentiful amounts of green space in the busy south side of Glasgow. You won’t find many exotic looking plants here, but you might almost get lost in the Victorian pathways that wind their way through the park. The park’s layout will have you weaving in and out of all the trails and take you past all the landmarks.

Wander into the Glasshouses and you will meet a whole host of reptilian critters as well as pond filled with Koi Carp. There are other facilities such as tennis courts, a bowling green, skate park and a small cafe, but be sure to make trek up to the flagpole near the summit to see fantastic 360 degrees view of Glasgow. Officially the highest point in the city.

Stroll up to Queen’s Park on the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10am until 2pm every month you will find the Queens Park Farmers Market. Tiny stalls loaded with produce from amazing looking jams and chutneys and mountains of bread, juicy punnets of fruit coupled with fresh vegetables, fresh meat and game, as well as huge rounds delicious cheeses. Not forgetting the all important cakes and pastries. Best enjoyed wandering around each stall slowly, whilst trying out a morsel of cheese or bite of cake here and there.

No visit to Glasgow would be complete without a trip ‘doon the watter’ (‘down the water’ in the Glasgow dialect). The Riverlink ferry service sails down the Clyde to the Braehead shopping centre where you’ll find the usual high street stores. Pick up points are the Broomielaw pontoon in the city centre or Pacific Quay, outside the BBC Scotland building.

It’s worthwhile taking the journey if only to see the shipyards still in action, the Tall Ship (check the Tall Ship article) and the fantastic new Museum of Transport designed by architect Zaha Hadid.

Riverlink also runs sightseeing tours on the river, details of which are available on the website.

The West End’s Kelvingrove Park is one of the many parks created for the people of Glasgow as a refuge from the appalling living conditions they had to endure during the industrial revolution. I think it’s the finest park in the city, but I would say that – it’s only a five-minute walk away from my house and I visit it almost every day.

Home of the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, the park has bowling greens, tennis courts, two children’s play areas and a skateboarding park. Follow the cycle route leading north in the park and you’ll come to the Forth and Clyde Canal which links Glasgow with Edinburgh and Loch Lomond.

Behind the children’s play area nearest the city, the An Clachan cafe serves homemade cakes, tea, coffee and juice and snacks for children.

The hill in the main section facing the duck pond is a favourite hang-out for students in the summer. If it’s peace and quiet you’re after, head for the hill in front of the University on the other side of Kelvin Way.

A word of warning: Please be aware that it’s illegal to drink alcohol in public places in Glasgow.

I discovered this hidden gem recently when I was out cycling on the towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal. It’s a great place to relax in chilled surroundings away from the city centre

The buildings at Speirs Wharf were once central to Glasgow’s industrial development housing Grain Mills, a Sugar Refinery and warehouses. Part of the ongoing regeneration of the canal, they’ve been developed into flats and office space.

The Ocho cafe and delicatessen at the end of the Wharf serves reasonably-priced snacks and meals and is licensed. There are tables outside on the canal bank, so if it’s sunny sit outside with a glass of wine and admire the fantastic view of the city. Or bring your own picnic and sit on the grass on the opposite site of the canal.

The easiest way to get to Speirs Wharf if you’re walking, is to follow the signs for the Forth and Clyde Canal either at the back of St. George’s Cross underground station or at the back of Cowcaddens underground station. It’s about a ten-minute walk from both stations.

The Waterways website has details of a walking route along the banks of the canal from Speirs Wharf.