Guide to the Kelvingrove area, Glasgow West End
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Kelvingrove Park, one of Glasgow's dear green places, is a friendly place to be, especially on a warm summer's day when it attracts joggers, strollers, families and students pretending to prepare for exams. The area around Kelvingrove Park is one of the most beautiful in the West End, if you stand at the bottom of Kelvin Way looking North from Argyle Street the view is among the most satisfying in the City, combining impressive buildings and parklands. It is attractive both by day and night and not surprisingly is depicted in a number of Glasgow post cards.
Montgomery's in Radnor Street is a brilliant coffee shop where you can relax and read the papers.
To the West you will find Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Temporarily closed for reburbishment. Here you will find something to interest everyone including: pre-historic dinosaurs; an impressive number of famous paintings by old masters; armour and weaponry from the middle ages; and ever changing contemporary exhibitions. It has a shop, a childrens' play area, and like most of Glasgow's Art Galleries and Museums it is free.
Standing on the horizon behind the Art Gallery and Museum is the University of Glasgow. Founded in 1451 it relocated from Glasgow's High Street to its present site on Gilmorehill in the late 19th century. The building is by Sir George Gilbert Scot and is the UK's second largest building in the Gothic revival style - it adds greatly to the interest of Glasgow's skyline with its distinctive Flemish ventilation tower.
Though home to 14,000 students from all over the world the University has more to offer than academic opportunities. Your first stop could perhaps be the Visitors' Centre where you will find videos, displays, souvenirs and a cafeteria. In the summer the University offers guided tours at 11am and 2pm Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Telephone 0141 330 5511 for details.
Glasgow University also houses both the Hunterian Museum located within the main University building and the Hunterian Art Gallery located on the opposite side of University Avenue. The Hunterian Museum was the first Museum in Scotland to be opened to the public in 1807 (located at the time in the High Street).
Kelvingrove Park provides a splendid setting for the grandeur of Park Terrace, standing high on the hillside, this was the home of wealthy citizens in the 19th. century. If you are interested in having a look at some of the West End's first grand terraces it is worth the climb. The Marriage Registry Office is a fantastic place to visit, however, it is a 'working building' and access is only by prior arrangment. Watch out for 'Doors Open Day' when you can visit for an inside view of one of the most opulently decorated interiors you are likely to come across anywhere. The Park area also offers spectacular views over the city.
Walking from Argyle Street towards Dumbarton Road you can find the distinctive Kelvin Hall, which holds fond memories for many locals as it was home to the Christmas Carnival and Circus for many years. It now hosts international athletics and sporting events and offers recreational facilities to local people and visitors. The Transport Museum adjoins the Kelvin Hall and is a current family favourite. You can see enough classic cars, buses, trams and trains to satisfy the most ardent enthusiast. It also has an extremely realistic and fascinating simulated street showing Glasgow's distant past and also housed within the Transport Museum is the new Football (soccer) Museum.
Yorkhill is the area behind Dumbarton Road opposite the Art Gallery and here you can find an interesting array of pubs and restaurants reflecting the diverse culture of the City . Indian cuisine, a particular favourite of many Glaswegians, is well represented. The Ashoka West End can also be found here - long established and very, very popular. Also fashionable is The Firebird bar/cafe and The Goat, Old Dumbarton Road is a popular pub with quality entertainent and a fine menu.
Moving along Argyle Street towards the City Centre you will find lots of interesting shops and pubs including the fabulous Ben Nevis pub, with the delightful Elaine behind the bar. It is a very pleasant place and enhanced by the Gaelic which is regularly spoken in the establishment.
Yorkhill Quay on the Clydeside is well worth a visit and will particularly appeal to those interested in the history of the Clyde. The Clyde Maritime Centre, which has recently opened, includes the Glenlee (built in 1896); it is one of only five Clydebuilt sailing ships left afloat in the world. This is bound to be a major attraction on the Clyde -25,000 people visited the ship in the four days it was anchored at Greenock during the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race. The historic Queens Dock Pumphouse (1877) makes an unusually good looking visitor's centre with a gallery, souvenir shop and cafe bar looking onto the river. Look out for the smiling welcome from Louise and knowledgeable Glenlee volunteer crew. Opening hours 10.00 - 6.00 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Area Index:
Byres Road - Kelvingrove - Partick - Hyndland - Woodlands - Kelvinbridge and East Hillhead, Gibson street and University Avenue
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