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10 Hidden Gems in Glasgow: Discovering the Unexplored
Glasgow has many amazing sites and attractions for you to get lost in. However, if you go a bit deeper and look a little harder, there are hidden gems in and around the city that you shouldn’t miss as they offer the same (and sometimes even better) experience!
From libraries and gardens to hidden streets and a city of the dead, Glasgow will keep you busy moving from one “road-less-travelled” spot to the next. Get ready as we list down our favourite hidden gems!
Glasgow Women’s Library
Address: 23 Landressy St, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BP, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441415502267
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Thursday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Cost:
- Free of charge
You may or may not be a feminist, but a visit to the only museum in the UK dedicated to the history of women is surely worth a look. The Glasgow Women’s Library also hosts activities and events related to women’s lives and rights.
Here, you can learn more about the struggles of Scottish women through its memorabilia on display, which dates back to the 1930s.
| Pro tip: When you get to the lobby of the library, you can also ask about their guided walking tour of the area. This will allow you and other guests to learn more about the different objects on display through the library’s official tour guide. |
The Hidden Gardens
Address: via Tramway, 25A Albert Dr, access, Glasgow G41 2PE, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441414332722
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Closed on Monday
Cost:
- Free of charge
The Hidden Garden is a relaxing and calming oasis located in Glasgow’s Pollokshields area. Here, you can experience a peaceful and meditative retreat away from the urban jungle of the busy streets.
You can chill out as you walk through the beautifully landscaped gardens of the location. Plus, you might be fortunate enough to visit during some scheduled events and exhibitions and you can participate in them to further immerse yourself in the culture.
| Pro tip: The Hidden Garden also has an amazing playground where kids can safely play with their siblings and friends. It’s a safe area for you to let the children have some fun as the playground is surrounded by a secure fence. |
Tenement House
Address: 145 Buccleuch St, Glasgow G3 6QN, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441413330183
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost:
- 8.50 GBP per adult
- 20.50 GBP per family
The Tenement House offers a glimpse into the life of Glasgow residents in the early 20th Century. The house cum museum may look like a regular building from the outside, but step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The rooms are fully restored to their former glory and contain a ton of interesting objects that date all the way back to 1790. This jaw-dropping collection includes old reclining chairs, longcase clocks, and even a jar of plum from the 1920s.
| Pro tip: The Tenement House offers a great walking tour around the four rooms of the building. You can talk to your tour guides to learn more about the place as all of them are quite passionate and knowledgeable about the exhibits on display. |
Britannia Panopticon
Address: 113-117 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HD, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441415530840
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Saturday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday and Monday to Wednesday
Cost:
- 2 GBP per adult
- 1 GBP per child
History and music are two things that always come out awesome when combined. Britannia Panopticon, established in the 1800s, is one of the oldest remaining music halls across the globe and is certainly a gem of a spot that you need to visit!
At present, it features festivals, drag shows, comedies, and silent movies but the vibe of the hall is still historic. The site was home to acts such as the comedic duo of Laurel and Hardy, carnivals, and freak shows and their mark is still deeply ingrained here!
| Pro tip: You can also check out the basement of the Britannia Panopticon which used to house a zoo. You might still see clues here and there of what the area might have looked like before. |
Queen’s Park Viewpoint
Address: Langside Rd, Glasgow G42 9QL, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +44 141 276 1476
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours
Cost:
- Free of charge
Glasgow’s south side is home to Queen’s Park, a location popular with joggers, walkers, and those just walking their dogs. You can enjoy the park’s nature trails but we would say that the highlight of this location is its amazing viewpoint.
To get to the viewing area, you need to climb the flagpole to enjoy a fantastic unobstructed view of the entire city. Just make sure you have your cameras ready as you’ll see a ton of scenic locations here such as Glasgow University and Ben Lomond.
| Pro tip: If you happen to visit Queen’s Park on a Saturday, you can also join the free 5-kilometre run that starts at around 9:30 in the morning. This is a great opportunity for you to work out while enjoying the surrounding views! |
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Address: Trongate 103 – A Centre for Arts & Creativity 103, Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HD, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441415527080
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Cost:
- Around 8.00 GBP per ticket per show
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre isn’t just a hidden gem but also one of the most unique attractions you’ll ever see in Glasgow. It’s a mechanical theatre that features intricately engineered machines and equipment that move in sync with the lighting and effects.
The mechanical shows usually feature the circle of life and are an amazing experience especially if you’re travelling with kids. Watch two of the main and most popular shows here– Wheels of Life and Promenade– to get the most out of your visit to this theatre.
| Pro tip: You can come in a bit early to the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre before the shows start. If you do, you’ll get the chance to check out and appreciate the mechanical sculptures up close before they start moving during the show. |
The Cloisters
Address: Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +44 141 330 2000
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday, 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost:
- 10.00 GBP per adult
- 25 GBP per family
The Cloisters is located within the grounds of the University of Glasgow and is considered an architectural gem and one of the most photogenic places in Glasgow. It features grand archways and fluted columns that will make you feel like royalty.
So it’s not surprising that it was featured in various popular movies and shows such as Cloud Atlas, Outlaw King, and Outlander. It also has special significance to the students here as its doorway leads to the school’s graduation hall (Bute Hall).
| Pro tip: After a self-guided tour of the Cloisters, you can also check out the nearby attraction in the area– the Hunterian Museum. Recognised as Scotland’s oldest public museum, it features collections that offer a slice of the olden days! |
Glasgow Necropolis
Address: Castle St, Glasgow G4 0UZ, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441412875064
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost:
- Free of charge
The Glasgow Necropolis may seem macabre at first but this hidden gem is a great area to explore if you appreciate ancient history. A necropolis is literally “a city of the dead” and this small hill in Glasgow is home to about fifty thousand people.
It’s a Victorian burial site that is quite atmospheric and features a ton of elaborate sculptures and statues dating back to the 1830s. Aside from the different structures around the gravesite, this was also the resting grounds of some prominent Scots.
| Pro tip: Glasgow Necropolis isn’t just a city of the dead but it is also one of the best viewpoints in the city. If you walk up the grassy slope and reach the summit of this hill, you can get a panoramic and sweeping view of Glasgow. |
Fossil Grove
Address: Victoria Park Dr S, Glasgow G14 9QR, United Kingdom
Contact Number: +441412875918
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours (Fossil Park)
Cost:
- Free of charge
Fossil Grove is a museum located inside Victoria Park and is considered one of the most unique ones in the city. Thanks to its collection of plant fossils dating back to the Carboniferous period, this exhibit is one you need to include in your to-do list.
What’s impressive about this museum is that it features plant fossils that are 330 million years old. You can just imagine how the world looked back then when dinosaurs roamed the landscape – a scene you can better envision when in this museum!
| Pro tip: If you want to visit this unique museum, you’ll need to do a bit of advance planning as the Fossil Grove isn’t open all week or even all year long. It’s only open from April to September, every weekend afternoon. |
Ashton Lane
Address: Ashton Ln, Glasgow, UK
Contact Number: N/A
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours
If you want to be transported to a place and time that screams classic Scotland, then Ashton Lane is the place to be. The location features cobbled streets with a movie theatre, pubs, and restaurants for you to choose from.
You can catch a couple of cult classics and blockbuster movies at the Grosvenor Cinema. Afterward, you can proceed to the Ubiquitous Chip, a favourite restaurant among locals, before drinking the night away at McGuinty’s Irish Bar.
| Pro tip: You won’t be limited to Scottish food and beverage options here as there are also other international restaurants at Ashton Lane. A popular one is Ramen Dayo, which serves authentic Japanese food for a reasonable price! |
