Our Favourite Places To Picnic in Glasgow This Summer
The sun doesn’t like to show it face too often up here in Scotland. But on the rare occasions it does make an appearance, it is absolutely beautiful out and everyone definitely knows how to make the most of the good weather. Thanks to all the rain, Glasgow has beautiful parks with lush green grass and plenty of shade. Here are five of our favourite places to picnic in Glasgow on a gorgeous day.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
This one might be obvious. Sitting in the heart of the West End of Glasgow and popular with newlyweds, the botanics is the place to go for a small picnic and a wonder in the tropical greenhouses. Fun little fact (the first of many): The Glasgow botanics, was used to host concerts and other events in the 19th century and even had it’s own train station, which was taken down and is no longer in use. A walk around the park with eventually lead you to open air vents where you can look down onto the disused railway platform.
Kelvingrove Park
This is a huge and stunning park located on the river Kelvin. Located in the more affluent part of the West End, the park is popular with students, buskers and dog walkers with its sloping paths, bridges and hills making it ideal for walkers. With plenty of green space, on a nice day, people on in their droves will head to this park to enjoy the sun. It really is one of the best places to picnic in Glasgow. With a history extending back to the 19th century, there are a number of statues and monuments to check out on your way around.
Glasgow Green
If Kelvingrove park is one of the best places to picnic in Glasgow, the Green is definitely our favourite. Right by the river Clyde and on flat ground, there is more than enough room for more than 1000 people to throw down their blanket and have a feast. Idyllic for picnics, barbecues and quiet reads under the trees, it’s no wonder people wander over from the centre of the city. The Green is Glasgow’s equivalent to London’s Hyde Park. Another fun fact: Glasgow Green was established in the 15th century making it the oldest park in Scotland and possibly the UK. Again there are a number of monuments you should check out!
Pollok Country Park
If you’re game for spending the entire day out, Pollok Country Park is the perfect place if you’re up for a small adventure south of the river Clyde. Having been private land for over 700 years the 361-acre park was gifted to the public in the ’60s. Now it has brilliant features such as a mountain biking trail, places to see the award-winning highland cows and the Burrel collection, a collection of art and antiques in the park’s gallery. With there being gardens, a maze and a great little cafe, this is a wonderful place to spend the majority of a pleasant day. Just pack your car with enough food and drinks and spend the day enjoying one of the best parks in the country. Fun Fact: They filmed some of Outlander here!
Queen’s Park
Another beautiful south-side city park dating back to the 19th century, Queen’s Park is home to regular farmers markets where people can purchase local produce. The park also holds a wide range of sporting facilities such as football, tennis and bowls. Last fun fact! From certain points of the park, you’re able to see the entire city of Glasgow, so bring a blanket and some nibbles, sit back and enjoy the view!
