Local Area Info

Glasgow has long been established as an excellent place to live, work, rest and play. As a major European cultural capital, it is also a great place to visit.

Glasgow has an vibrant nightlife where one can visit any number of restaurants, pubs, clubs and cafes in the city.

For a more restful pace there are 13 free museums and galleries to choose from and with over 70 parks and gardens spread across the city you are sure to find your own personal oasis.

Museums

The City of Glasgow owns one of the richest collections in Europe, displayed in 13 museums across the city.

Parks

Glasgow has over 70 parks within the City boundaries and such is the diversity of these parks you will always be able to find somewhere to suit your taste.

Sport

Glasgow is Scotland's sporting capital! Voted European Capital of Sport in 2003, Glasgow is renowned for the quality of its sporting facilities from world class events to grass roots development and elite athlete coaching programmes.

Shopping

Glasgow is the second largest shopping centre in the UK. You can shop at many major UK high street stores, smaller boutiques, department stores and a wide variety of specialty shops, including craft and antique shops to suit every taste and interest.

The city centre has three pedestrianised main thoroughfares: Sauchiehall Street, which features, among other things, pre-Christmas stalls, stands and an outdoor market, and Argyle Street, running parallel to each other and joined by Buchanan Street which runs from north to south.

Along these main streets are shopping malls such as the Sauchiehall Street Centre, the Buchanan Galleries, the stylish and hip Princes Square, the beautiful St Enoch Centre, and the bright and sunny atriums of the Argyle Arcade. There is also the weekend Barras market, located in the city's east end and a stone's throw south from St. Mungo's Cathedral and further east, the enormous Parkhead Forge mall.

Heading towards the city’s West End, you will also find smaller boutiques and specialised shops, including De Courcy's Antique Craft Arcade for an interesting array of antique and craft shops, designer homeware boutiques, clothing shops and vintage record stores.

Architecture

Visit Glasgow and you will be in no doubt why the City was awarded the prestigious accolade of UK City of Architecture and Design 1999.

Marvel at the outstanding works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh including the House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park and Scotland Street School located south of the river in the Kinning Park area of the city and right in the heart of the city you can see his works at the Willow Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street.

Alexander Greek Thomson was another who managed to add his signature to the face of the city that many would be proud of. One of his finest works is the Caledonia Road Church at the Gorbals and closer to the City you can find the Buck's Head Building on Argyle Street.

At the east of the City Centre you will be able to see the outstanding medieval Glasgow Cathedral at Cathedral Square where you can also see the Saint Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art which, contrary to its appearance was built in the 1990s.

We've won - Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Over 6,000 of the world's best athletes from 71 countries. Ten days of world-class competitions and cultural events. Hundreds of thousands of visitors welcomed to the city and to Scotland, with millions more watching on television throughout the world.

Yet the Games are much more than these statistics suggest. The legacy of staging the Commonwealth Games will mean new and renovated sports facilities in and around Glasgow; a clear focus for sports development throughout Scotland; a boost for the local and national economy and a catalyst for improved housing, transport and the environment. All within a dynamic, changing and multi-cultural city.

Getting Around

Getting around Glasgow is easy - whichever way you travel.

Road- The M8 motorway runs right to the city centre and beyond. Car Parks can be found all around the city centre.
Check out the Interactive Roadworks Map for details of programmed and emergency works undertaken by, or on behalf of utility companies, construction companies and Land and Environmental Services.

Buses - Buchanan Street bus station is right in the heart of the city. Buses leave daily for destinations all over the UK. There's also a massive local bus network including Quality Bus Corridors across the city.

Bike - Glasgow has an extensive network and expanding cycle network. You can cycle from the city centre right up to Loch Lomond along a special cycle track.

Foot - Glasgow's great for walking. Everywhere's within easy walking distance - just watch out for those steep hills! Organised walks are a great way to see the city and keep fit.

Subway - Glasgow has its very own underground with 15 stations dotted around the city. Trains are regular, fast and tickets cost just £1 for a single journey.

Boat - river trips are regularly run along the River Clyde.

Motorcycles - plenty of free parking in the city in designated bays.

Train - there are two main line terminals in the city: Glasgow Central Station, for trains arriving from the south and Glasgow Queen Street Station for trains arriving and departing for the north and east. There's also an extensive network of suburban rail stations.

Air - Glasgow International Airport is ten miles west of the city centre and easily reached by road. Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is 32 miles from Glasgow with a train link to the city centre

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