Glasgow: Guide to The West End
Area Index:
Byres Road - Kelvingrove - Partick - Hyndland - Woodlands - Kelvinbridge and East Hillhead, Gibson street and University Avenue
Words and phrases associated with the West End of Glasgow: cosmopolitan, multi-cultured, bohemian, intellectual, grand, leafy, confident, tolerant and 'trendy'. It is known for its impressive Victorian architecture, public parks and gardens, as a home for celebrities and for its many and varied attractions including restaurants, pubs and shops.
The West End of Glasgow consists of a number of distinct areas each with their own particular attractions and characteristics. Spreading west from Charing Cross it includes Woodlands, Hillhead, Hyndland and Byres Road. It also includes the lovely Kelvingrove and the hustling bustling area of Partick running from Argyle Street along Dumbarton Road.
This section gives a flavour of different parts of the West End:
You will find lots of wonderful photographs of the West End in The Photo Gallery
Byres Road
View a map of the Byres Road area. If your Screen is large click here to view both the map and the text of this page.
Local hotels The Heritage Hotel3*, 27 rooms , 4-5 Alfred Terrace, Glasgow, G12 8RFStylish and elegant, The Heritage Hotel is located in the cultural centre of Glasgow. A short walk from Byres Road and it's bistro's and bars and the botanic gardens.... More info about The Heritage Hotel |
 The White House Apartments4*, 32 rooms, 11-13 Cleveden Crescent, Glasgow, G12 0PBA classical Georgian Crescent with pleasure gardens to the front, this is your country house in the city. Within walking distance of Byres Rd. Affiliated to a nearby leisure club. On Street Parking. Special rates for weekly and 4 weekly bookings.....More info about The White House Apartments |
 G1 Park Suites5*, 4 rooms, 6 Woodlands Terrace, Glasgow City Centre, G3 6DDEarly Victorian Town House in the prestigious Park area, close to M8 and within walking distance of Glasgow West End amenities. The suites are luxurious and contemporary in design and are comfortably fitted....More info about G1 Park Suites |
In telling you about Byres Road I am trying to hold back from the timeworn description of "the main artery flowing through the heart of the area" - let's just say that here the heart beats strongest. It is not beautiful but has an attractive vibrancy and feel of doing business and meaning business. People come here with a purpose - to work and play, to shop, to meet and eat and to look around - and there is a lot to see and do!
Some of the traditional and long standing attractions include the pubs, popular with locals, visitors to the West End, Western Infirmary Staff, University staff and students: the Rubaiyat, the Aragon, Tennents and Curlers (the oldest pub in the area) are well established favourites. Many others have popped up over the years - Bonham's Wine Bar and Whistler's Mother being welcome additions to the healthy pub scene. The latest, and probably the most important development in the area for a long long time is Oranmor, a fabulous venue which has emerged out of the derelict church at the top of Byres Road.
In Ashton Lane, off Byres Road, the cobbled street is thronged, rain, hail or snow, with hardy revellers enjoying the bonhomie in and around Jinty McGinty's bar. Here you will also find the much loved 'Chip" the pub and wine bar attached to the beautiful Ubiquitous Chip restaurant. (I worked there as a part time waitress in my student days). It is pricey but great for a special treat. The 'Chip' offers an excellent choice of wine and beers to it's faithful clientele of entrenched Westenders - adding stimulus to their deep and meaningful conversations. This is where you are likely to find the local media, academics and literary types hanging out.
Ashton Lane has a great choice of restaurants including Brel, the Cul de Sac, The Wee Curry House and The Loft and The Lane, the last two rstaurants being part of the Grosvenor Cinema. It is a very busy area but unusually tranquil on a Sunday morning - when you can enjoy breakfast in the Attic at the end of the lane. If you are a late riser the Chip also offers a lovely breakfast including smoked herring and scrambled eggs with garlic.
On the opposite side of Byres Road in Ruthven Lane you will find Stravaigin in 2, this is becoming a very busy little restuarant. Lots of tasty fare and well managed by Ciaran Gourlay. Further down the lane you can find Di Maggio's - with its lively atmosphere is a popular family eatery - with much acclaimed lasagne.
This is also a good place to shop - especially if you like retro - Starry, Starry Nights is a long standing favourite of Glasgow's student population.
Cafe Antipasti on Byres road itself is another popular Italian eatery, busy in the evenings and very pleasant for a quick lunch - the window seats are in demand for people watching. Another favourite is Little Italy - great for people watching and super food.
The eclectic selection of eateries is never ending: try the ever popular Amber for Chinese and join the queue for pizza at Little Italy - enjoy a cappuccino while you wait. At the corner of Byres Road and Highborough Road you will find the Tinderbox, Expresso Imporium -what is the silver Vespa doing in the window?
There is an abundance of restaurants, tea rooms and coffee shops in the area offering plenty of choice and the current craze for coffee of every description is well satisfied.
Critical acclaim has been heaped on '16 Byres Road' - this small, friendly restaurant with it's youthful and talented staff offers tasty and interesting dishes at affordable prices and has a menu which changes daily. Arisaig is another fine restaurant.
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Local Hotels Albion Hotel3* 20 rooms, 405 North Woodside Road, Glasgow, G20 6NN Located in the heart of Glasgow's West end, less than a mile from the City Centre. Surrounded by numerous shops, bars restauarants and bistros... More info about Albion Hotel |
 BELHAVEN HOTEL west end3*, 18 rooms, 15 BELHAVEN TERRACE, GLASGOW, G12 0TG Converted town house in Glasgow West End. Minutes walk from Byres Road. 10 mins by public transport to the City Centre. Family owned.....More info about the BELHAVEN HOTEL west end |
Botanic Hotel 3*, 16 rooms, 1 Alfred Terrace Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 8RF Stylish hotel in Glasgow's cultured West End. Short walk from Byres Road and Ashton Lane. Also within the vicinity is the illustrious University of Glasgow and it's exquisite 15th century architecture...More info about the Botanic Hotel |
For those shopping rather than eating and drinking there are many interesting shops in the vicinity. Byres Road is a thriving retail area with estate agents, chemists, supermarkets, travel agents, record shops and many other retail outlets. Pink Poodle is a firm favourite with the young and cool and for the tourist or browser it has some interesting gift shops such as Papyrus and Evolution ( both near the top of Byres Road close to Great Western Road).
There are also many hidden treats tucked away in the lanes off Byres Road: Nancy Smillie's, in Cresswell Lane, is great for a browse with lots of artwork, pottery, jewellery, furniture - many interesting items, large and small. It is conveniently situated next to De Courcy's indoor market with a number of speciality shops including The Studio, which is not to be missed with its great range of Glasgow Style antiques.
In Dowanside Lane on the other side of Byres Road, Starry, Starry Night lives up to its enticing name and is a treasure trove for the romantic. It is stretched to full capacity to house a huge second hand stock of chiffon party dresses, tuxedos and cute cardigans. Here you can also find the beautiful jewellery designed by the silversmith Bethsy Gray. Nearby you will find , in this exquisite dress and accessory shop you will find more modern day designer attractions. It has real class and very good sales. Annie Good has made a great success of this lovely shop Moon in Ruthven Lane
Emma Raeside is a young woman with a lovely flower shop 'Grace'. The arrangements are fabulous and very different and very wisely she is offering a world wide service with a free phone number: 08001692587.
At the top you will find the wonderful, award-winning Heart Buchanan deli - some great Scottish produce on offer here.
Of course, Byres Road is good just for people watching, here you can bump into neighbours and friends and catch the celebrities out and about. Also if you feel like escaping the hustle, bustle the beautiful Botanic Gardens is situated at the top of Byres Road just across Great Western Road. It is huge and varied - with leafy walks by the River Kelvin, it's famous Orchid House, pleasant gardens and the fantastic Kibble Palace
The area of Great Western Road along from the Botanics going towards the City Centre has plenty to offer. There are some interesting shops here including Go Potty, where you can learn some new arty skills or order a customised gift and be sure to pop into McCormick and McCormick's lovely gallery. This is a great area for health and beauty needs with lots of smart hairdresser's and spas.
Don't ignore the Charity Shops in the area - at Shelter No 681 Great Western Road ex-wardrobe department donations from the nearby BBC Scotland can be found here also beyond the lovely bridge on Queen Margaret Drive there are some interesting shops. North Kelvinside is a popular and quiet residential area and beyond the Botanics in Kelvinside and Kirklee you can find some of the most beautiful homes in the City.
Area Index:
Byres Road - Kelvingrove - Partick - Hyndland - Woodlands - Kelvinbridge and East Hillhead, Gibson street and University Avenue
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Margaret | Wed Mar 07 2007
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