Guide to Kelvinbridge and East Hillhead, Glasgow West End
Travelling west along Great Western Road you will arrive at Kelvinbridge on the North side of Hillhead. The bridge is lovely at night when it is lit up and the view to the south is very unusual -beneath the bridge the Big Blue customers drink al fresco. This area is very lively and you can easily while away a few hours pottering around - there is a lot to see and something to suit everyone's taste. It has some of the most interesting and attractive shops in the West End, including the wonderful Galletly and Tubb's and Felix and Oscar and Judith Kenny Jewellery.
Discerning cooks can be found seeking out their ingredients in Roots and Fruits or buying exotic cheeses in Mellis' the cheesemonger - wafting through the air are many pleasant smells of fresh coffee and the tempting array of breads and treats offered by the many local delis.
There is a great children's boutique Strawberry Fields, with fabulous designer clothes. There are also lots of antique shops and second hand book shops were you are free to both browse and buy.
The area has some very attractive buildings including Landsdowne Church and St Mary's, Episcopalian Cathedral. The Cooper's Building housing the bar now called 'Coopers' is also very impressive. Straight across the road is The Viper nightclub, housed in a fine specimen of art deco architecture. Tucked away behind the lanes at the back of the club you will find the wonderful Coach House Project, a charitable organisation combating poverty and isolation. Phil Benson - woodcarver and well known West End character works at the project and the smiling face of Arthur McGough will welcome you at the Coach House Shop on Great Western Road.
There are lots of great cafes, pubs and restaurants in this area, my favourite being La Parmiagiana (447 Great Western Road -0141 334 0686) - is very elegant for a special night out but also offering cheaper deals for lunch and pre-threatre. Trattoria Trevi (526 Great Western Road. 0141 334 3262) with it's traditional Italian cooking is also very popular. Cafe Cherubini serves huge and tasty bowls of soup and it's a great place to relax for a coffee.
Gibson Street
This has always been a popular haunt for the student population and sits at the Eastern End of Hillhead very much in University territory with Glasgow University and Glasgow Caledonian, Park Campus nearby. It is a pleasant street with a bit of a buzz about it particularly in the summer with people heading into Kelvingrove Park.
A range of new cafe's, bars and eateries have sprung up over the last few years - including 'The Left Bank' (bar restaurant), the iCafe (self-explanatory), Louis's Bistro, the restaurant and Pizzeria Amici and Shallal (the first Lebanese restaurant in Glasgow).
The Left Bank bar restaurant is a particularly stylish addition to the street. Although I've never had a meal there, I've been in a few times for a quick coffee during the day and enjoyed the experience - relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.
Get your bike fixed at Gear Glasgow
The bike shop Gear Glasgow is also located in Gibson Street; a good place to go to get your new bike or get your old one fixed. They were very helpful when I had a problem with my own bike, so I'd recommend them.
Design Works, at the corner of Otago Street and Gibson Street is really fabulous and a must for window shopping and a visit. Offshore, situated next to the Park entrance is nice for a coffee - very relaxing - and with free wifi as long as you buy at least one coffee every hour.
Next door Acabus offers an attractive array of toys
The area is well served by restaurants and snack bars - apart from the relatively new one's mentioned above - you will also find - the Stravaigin, Wine Bar and Restaurant, owned by Colin Clydesdale (a member of the Clydesdale Family well known (particularly in the West End) for their success in the restaurant business). Stravaigin lives up to the Clydesdale standards with its interesting menus and pleasant atmosphere.
Just around the corner from Gibson Street, opposite the park entrance you will find the modern looking bar, Bar Bola. I think I"ve only been in it once myself but from what I remember it has a pleasant relaxed atmosphere - with the decor quite modern, i.e., no a traditional pub look.
Situated at the junction of Gibson Street, Kelvin Way and University Avenue is the Gilmorehill Centre - part of the University of Glasgow this Norman Gothic facade houses a new hi-tech cinema, theatre and conference centre.
University Avenue
Beyond Gibson Street you begin to move into University territory and most of the buildings in this area down to Byres Road are owned by Glasgow University. The wide sweep of University Avenue is inviting to walk along and has a lot to offer - here you have the main entrance to the University, the University Library and the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum ( where you will find a wonderful collection of Charles Rennie Mackintosh furniture).
You will find lots of wonderful photographs of the West End in The Photo Gallery
Getting to know Glasgow - walks, facts, folk and historical development. by Ian Mitchell.
Area Index:
Byres Road - Kelvingrove - Partick - Hyndland - Woodlands - Kelvinbridge and East Hillhead, Gibson street and University Avenue
Comments
--Marilyn ( marilyn at ckglasgow dot org dot uk ) from on 18.9.2002; 16:16:39 UhrIt is so nice that I can have the flavour of the that part of Glasgow from time to time !!! West End, and University of Glasgow will be in my memories forever! A former West Ender from East.
Congratulations for the your lovely work, Paty !
--Horia Sas ( horiasas at yahoo dot com ) from Romania on 21.6.2002; 15:56:23 Uhr
Nice to revisit all the favourite places in the West End. Piccies are excellent too. I can just imagine the busy streets and the cosmopolitan atmosphere.I still miss it! It is unique.
--Fiona Alderman ( fionaalderman at worldonline dot fr ) from FRANCE on 17.4.2002; 17:34:46 Uhr
I would like to see more maps of local areas. I have just spent two years living and working in the west end. I am struggling to remeber names of streets. Would like to see a map just to jog the memories.
--G ( Grays66 at yahoo dot com ) from Australia on 4.4.2002; 5:19:49 Uhr
Glasgow is a trully wonderful city and it is great to refresh our memories of the West End
--Robin and Magda ( mvionescu at hotmail dot com ) from Canada on 6.1.2002; 20:04:36 Uhr
WOW! Good to look back on the ol student staying in Byres Rd days! What a lot of memories!
--Katie ( katie_thor at hotmail dot com ) from Scotland on 19.12.2001; 15:57:52 Uhr
Great site, you have taken a lot of time & care to get it happening & it shows. Congrats!!
Love to see the old drinking haunts of course.
From an ex pat Bankie
cheers Bill
--Bill ( wparker at skm dot com dot au ) from Australia on 18.12.2001; 3:22:32 Uhr
Bookmark this page to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Technorati
Blinklist
Furl
reddit
[Discuss this in the forum | Register for the newsletter]
