Relax in Glasgow’s West End, an increasingly popular quarter located near the campus of the University of Glasgow. Hang out in characterful bars, tour world-class museums and spend your evening at an independent arts venue.
Wander around a district that emerged in the 1840s upon completion of the Great Western Road. The area became even more popular when the university relocated to the area in 1870.
Make your first stop in the West End the eye-catching Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This vast, red-brick museum first opened in 1901 and today it hosts 22 different galleries, over 8,000 objects and paintings by Rembrandt and Renoir, alongside interactive exhibits for younger viewers.
Take some time to explore the Botanic Gardens, one of several green spaces in the West End. Here, enjoy a Victorian iron glasshouse named the Kibble Palace, a tranquil arboretum and several themed gardens.
Explore the campus of the University of Glasgow, a stunning Gothic building that can be explored as part of a guided tour. The university owns the Hunterian Museum, one of the oldest public museums in Scotland. It features natural history and science collections.
Stroll down the cobbled Ashton Lane to find stylish restaurants on atmospheric, pedestrianized roads. Bars with open fires and outdoor seating make this a charming dining destination throughout the year.
The West End is one of the cultural hubs of Glasgow. Watch comedy and music at Òran Mór, a converted church building, or attend an open-air gig at Kelvingrove Bandstand.
Visit the area in June every year to take part in the West End Festival, one of the largest cultural events in Glasgow. Hundreds of events pop up throughout the West End over the course of the festival. Previous years have included events such as performances by local heroes Belle and Sebastian, classical music from touring orchestras and outdoor ceilidhs.
Glasgow’s subway system stops in Partick, Kelvinhall and Hillhead in the West End. The district can be explored on foot and sights such as the Kelvingrove Museum and the Botanic Gardens are free to enter.
