Location: Glasgow
Top Things to do in Glasgow
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Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland: The Best Nature & Parks
As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is famed for its culture, shopping and people. Spend your day exploring a wide range of fascinating free museums and galleries, enjoying the UK’s best shopping outside of London, and taking advantage of tips from friendly local people on the city’s hidden gems — then choose from 130+ weekly musical events for a special night out. Glasgow is also the perfect base for exploring more of Scotland, with great connections to the Highlands and the islands.
Restaurants in Glasgow
1. Lochs and Glens North Cycle Route
2. Kelvingrove Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,075 reviews
The River Kelvin runs through the West End's large and attractive park which hosts festivals and events throughout the year.
Reviewed By paullegate - St Ives, United Kingdom
Kelvingrove Park is a 85 acre park located in the West End of Glasgow and was created in 1852, it was originally known as the West End Park. The River Kelvin flows through the park before it joins the River Clyde. There are many attractions to be seen in the Park including The Stewart Memorial Fountain, the Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts Monument as well as other statues, a bandstand, and bowling and croquet greens. I have been to Kelvingrove Park a number of times in the past. On my most recent visit I got the Subway train to Kelvinbridge station and walked from there into the park. It is a beautifully landscaped space and extremely well maintained and is somewhere that should be explored on a visit to Glasgow.
3. Pollok Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,019 reviews
Over 360 acres of green, this lovely park is best known for its well-kept scenic running and walking trails.
Reviewed By dennissU1613AA - Glasgow, United Kingdom
This is Glasgow's biggest park. It is still beautiful but is currently suffering from neglect.The stables area leading to the River Cart weir and mill is closed off by serious fencing. The area is in a bad state of decay and has been for some time This is disgraceful. Post covid, this will once again be visited by many people from overseas who through tourism, generate much needed money for our beleaguered city. Please get it sorted. There is so much to see. Sir John Stirling Maxwell's amazing mansion built 1752 The rustic bridge over the River Cart, the river weir, the extensive gardens and endless walking paths and the famous Highland cattle which were hiding( I hope) on this visit.. Unfortunately the house is closed for visits under current covid restrictions..
4. Glasgow Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 471 reviews
One of the oldest and most historic parks in Scotland stretches from the Saltmarket at the High Court across to the Calton and Bridgeton districts, and was used mainly for sheep and cattle grazing until the nineteenth century.
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Not only is Glasgow Green the oldest public park in Glasgow – it is the oldest in Britain. In 1450 James II gave the land at Glasgow Green to the Bishop of Glasgow for public grazing. Eventually it became a public space protected by the city fathers, and over many centuries it provided a welcome escape from the crowded tenements of the old town. The park has been used as a washing, bleaching and drying area by local people, as a rallying point for Jacobite troops in 1745, a site of public executions until 1865, and for political rallies and public festivals. The current layout of Glasgow Green dates back between 1816 and 1826 when major landscape works were completed reinforcing the Green’s status as Glasgow’s people’s park. This splendid 55 hectares/136 acres green space truly deserves to be called the lungs of the city and is situated within walking distance of the city centre, just to the east of the Saltmarket. My visit today was the first in many years and brought back lovely childhood memories from the 1950s when I was brought to the Green by my Grannie and Aunties when I stayed with them across the river in Oatlands during my school holidays. As a much older visitor, I thoroughly enjoyed our stroll and admired the splendid architecture of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, the stunning Doulton Fountain and the views of the nearby Templeton Carpet Factory (see separate reviews re these places). We also went down to the riverside where we stood on a lovely footbridge and watched rowers from the local rowing clubs glide smoothly underneath. The Clyde here is rather lovely and the variety of birdlife we saw is testament to the work that must have been done over the years to clean the river up.
5. Seven Lochs Wetland Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
6. Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,177 reviews
This unique glasshouse located in the Botanic Gardens is a familiar landmark in Glasgow.
Reviewed By Travel322932
Glasgow Botanic Garden is an eight-acre area in the West End of Glasgow with beautiful parkland, wooded areas and a number of vast glasshouses with a huge selection of plants from all over the world. The largest of these is the Kibble Palace, a magnificent circular structure with regularly spaced seating benches. Honestly, the ambiance inside is incredibly peaceful and a stunning and huge variety of plants fill the high ceilinged space with an awesome display of nature. The other very large glasshouses contain specimens of plants you couldn't experience without visiting a tropical rain forest and it really does give an appreciation of the value of the natural plant world. The exterior grounds are immaculately maintained and include a historical section of roses introduced to Britain from the 15th century to the present day all easily accessed via a network of pathways. I'm a wheelchair user and there was virtually no area of the gardens that I could not easily access and disabled parking, although not specifically marked, is available. Vehicles displaying valid disabled badge are allowed to park on the main roadway within the park adjacent to the glasshouses There is an exquisite cafeteria in the grounds serving a selection of excellent hot and cold foods and every member of staff throughout the gardens are very friendly and are all very knowledgeable, approachable and helpful. To conclude, I would highly recommend Glasgow Botanic Gardens for a relaxed and very interesting day out.
7. Loch Lomond Park Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
Reviewed By 321jaym - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Nice place on a rainy day to do a little shopping, take the kids to the sea life centre and get a bite to eat afterwards. Free parking is good as well!
8. Linn Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By boi_wunda
Went on a sunny day with family, lots of wee trails to go on and lovely views of the waterfall. Wasn’t too busy and could easily have spent the full day here.
9. Glasgow West End
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,071 reviews
Reviewed By SharonJT67 - Durham, United Kingdom
An area not to be missed when visiting Glasgow, filled with unique bars & restaurants off Ashton Lane or wander down Byers Road, to eat watch the world go by while eating brunch or lunch such as Little Italy & in close proximity to so many attractions such as the Botanic Gardens which is a 10 minute walk from the city sightseeing bus stop (15) up-to the Great Western Road, it has an abundance of charity shops too if you’re looking for a bargain, one of my favourite areas during our stay & hope to return to explore further.
10. Pollok Estate and Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By Scottsgirl51
Been visiting here since I was a child spent hrs playing hide and seek in the house oops ! The house is quite amazing and has the most amazing book collections and art .
