10 Awesome Things to Do in Glasgow United Kingdom
Glasgow is a city located in Scotland’s western Lowlands, on the banks of the River Clyde, and takes the best of both worlds – historical tradition and urban vibe. Glasgow became prosperous from the 18th to the 20th centuries with Victorian and art nouveau architecture being famous in the city. This tradition of majestic buildings and industrial strength remains, but now Glasgow is famous as a cultural capital of the United Kingdom. Be it the Scottish Opera or the Scottish Ballet or some of the best-known museums in the UK, Glasgow has always been a city that welcomes creativity, the liveliness of the community and art.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s pretty, historic, UNESCO-listed capital known for its festivals, while Glasgow is its gritty, artistic, edgier, friendlier, and cooler sibling. This city is very friendly, and people here are known to have a legendary sense of humour; Glasgow was an industrial city but has blossomed into a dynamic and very warm city. Although it is clean and very much like any city in a post-industrial country, it feels genuine in a way that can only be described as exotic, therefore, is highly recommended for travellers who want to get a true taste of the country they are visiting. From arts and history lovers to music enthusiasts or travellers who simply wish to discover something new, Glasgow offers an incredible number of things to do.
Therefore, if you are thinking about what to do in Glasgow UK when visiting this city, here are 10 best things to do to make your trip unique. And please remember if you are coming from overseas you may wish to look up the UK Visa or if planning from India, the UK visa from India is relatively easy to get. Check out these awesome Glasgow experiences so that you don’t miss out on what this city has to offer!
Here are the 10 Awesome Things to Do in Glasgow United Kingdom
1. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Glasgow’s most famous landmarks; the magnificent red sandstone building, designed by Charles Wilson was built in 1901 and miraculously did not suffer extensive damage during the Second World War. An annual average of one and a half million people visit this museum which has works of art such as Salvador Dali’s Christ of Saint John of the Cross, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Admission is free and the museum, filled with a lot of exhibits, is a must visit for anyone interested in art.
2. Shop on Buchanan Street
Buchanan Street is in the Style Mile of Glasgow and is a shopper’s delight. This is a retail shopping complex teeming with international and other local stores and outlets for every shopping need. Royal Exchange Square is not far from here, you will find more of the upscale stores and the rather humorous statue of the Duke of Wellington atop of which people have been placing cones for some reason.
3. Visit Ashton Lane
Ashton Lane is a narrow-cobbled street in Glasgow’s West End and is largely unknown during the day, but is a bustling nightlife strip at night. This lane has major eating joints such as Ubiquitous Chip and the Grosvenor Cinema and turns into a shining lane of bars in the night. It’s the perfect spot to get a drink and get lost in the local nightlife.
4. Stroll in Kelvingrove Park
Kelvingrove Park is another interesting place which lies near the magnificent Victorian architecture of Glasgow University. Take a leisurely walk through this popular city center park where people take their foods when the weather is warm. It is not worth to miss the possibility to have a walk at the Hunterian Museum, which is the oldest public museum in Scotland and situated on the university territory, making your walk more historical.
5. Tour the Clydeside Distillery
It is for this reason that Clydeside Distillery is breathing life into the whisky making history in Glasgow even though it has not been a hub of whisky production in the past. It was launched in 2017 and focuses exclusively on restoring the city’s whisky legacy. Take a tour of the distillery and try their first ever single malt whisky with chocolates to boot. There is a free museum on the site which shows the history of the whisky trade in Glasgow.
6. Explore Gothic Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis are the places which will provide the tourists with the density of the gothic experience. The cathedral was built in the 12th century in honour of St. Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow and the Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery. Glasgow Royal Infirmary located nearby is also a gothic building that enriches this experience, which makes it worth to visit.
7. Tour Hampden Park
To ant-football lovers it is recommended to visit the home of Scottish football, the Hampden Park. Visit the Scottish Football Museum to discover the roots of Scottish football; try out the shooting accuracy and visit the stadium’s historical centre. Being a stadium with a capacity of over 50,000 it has seen many enthralling matches and must feature on the list of any sports fan.
8. Discover the Murals
Glasgow has adopted the use of walls as their canvases through street art especially around the merchant city and Gallowgate. There are the well-known murals of comedian Billy Connolly and the photorealism one should not overlook Smug. This self-guided mural tour is a wonderful way to get an off-the-beaten-path look at Glasgow and its graffiti art.
9. Take the Tennent’s Brewery Tour
No visit to Glasgow is complete without a visit to this city’s passion for Tennent’s lager, Scotland’s beer of choice. The Well Park Brewery tour takes you through the background of this famous brand that has been behind some humorous advertisements. Finish off the tour with a pint straight from the tanks, it will give you a taste, quite literally, of Glasgow.
10. Go Birdwatching at Hamiltonhill Claypits
Hamiltonhill Claypits is Glasgow’s smallest urban nature reserve and a known paradise for bird-watching enthusiasts. This is a 25-acre award winning wildlife reserve located less than a mile from the city centre and was originally a clay quarry. It has cycling and walking trails; it is a quiet place to bird watch woodpeckers, warblers, and other wildlife in a beautiful environment.
Conclusion:
Glasgow is a city which combines the historical landmarks, cultural roots, and the contemporary energy that makes it an indispensable visiting destination for everyone interested in UK. Streets, skyscrapers, beautiful parks and gardens, special features of each district of the city – Glasgow opens its visitors with open arms. The said city offers a variety of experiences that would suit any traveller; there is the Kelvingrove art gallery, the shopping center such as Buchanan Street and architectural marvel such as gothic architecture. In addition to these, the hospitality of the people of Glasgow makes every trip feel and seem like you are fully in Scotland.
To all the enthusiasts intending to tour Glasgow and the rest of the United Kingdom, one of the initial measures is to acquire a UK Visa. This document opens up the residents and visitors to a city that is full of history and beauty and the contemporary facilities. Whether you are walking through Ashton Lane, watching birds at the Hamiltonhill Claypits or visiting the Hampden Park, Glasgow has something for you. If you are ready to have some historical and simultaneously – post-industrial experience, Glasgow will be one of the most memorable stops on your UK tour.
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