Kelvingrove Park

Now that’s it’s been sunny, I’ve been walking through the park nearly daily for a nice afternoon break. With plenty of walkways, you can try a different route every time (I found a new one yesterday!) On a sunny afternoon, you’ll find the park full of families and university students enjoying the weather.

This park is one of the best places to head to in Glasgow on a sunny day. It covers a huge area with the path around the park taking you up to Park Circus, down by the art gallery and passing by houses in Finnieston. There’s tons of free space for picnics, football, frisbee, you name it! There’s a kids playground and a skate park too, also gravel pitches for football and an astro turf one too.
The park is fantastic for running too, a circuit around it is just over 2 km and with quite a little bit of climbing too. You’ll see tons of runners, cyclists and fitness classes through the week.

I can’t believe I’ve never reviewed kelvingrove park before! I love it, I’ve always loved it. How can you not? I think it’s a close running for second best park in Glasgow (I love walking through Pollock park too much) with so many things to love! There’s something for everyone, with the skate park, play parks, pond, museum, loads of lovely paths snaking though, picnic tables.
The museum was always one of my favourites as a kid so we spent plenty of summer holiday afternoons running around the park. It felt like the biggest place in the world, with so many different little areas. Still does sometimes.
Now I work 5 minutes away so it’s somewhere I’ve spent many a lunch break chilling out in the park. It’s a great place to sit on a sunny day, eat a sandwich and watch the world (and many adorable dogs) go past. I love having a good stomp through the place on a stressful day as well. It even looks beautiful on a winters day :)
With fab events like the Glashow Mela they transform the park into an entirely different space, it’s wonderful!
It also makes for a picturesque walk from Charing Cross through to the west end. What’s not to love? :)

I adore walking through here at any time of day. It is always kept clean and is buzzing with people walking their dogs, families, or runners. I walk through here every morning at 7.30am to get to work in the city centre and it makes my morning commute all that more enjoyable. It is great for families as there is a children’s park, and there is a lovely pond that has ducks and if you’re lucky, a heron. Beautiful place to walk through, but it can get busy when the sun is out!

I’ve lived beside Kelvingrove Park since 2005 so I sometimes take it for granted and occasionally remember how lucky I am to be right next to this brilliant open space. Here are some things to do in Kelvingrove Park:
Have a picnic («The Hill» beside the duck pond is usually mobbed with students but there are quieter spots)
Have a barbeque, there’s picnic tables with built in bbq holders
Go to an event at the bandstand (there’s usually a summer program)
Walk along the river all the way up to the Botanic Gardens or Maryhill Canal
Use the skatepark
Visit An Clachan café
Take the kids to the play park
Play football on the pitches
Dogspotting
Check out the fountain
Play lawn bowls for free
Join one of the bootcamp fitness groups (count me out!)
Wonder why the circus skills people spend so much time setting up tightropes and never use them?
Or just sit on a bench with a coffee and a book which is what I do most of the time!

It’s a lovely park but as soon as the sun shines it is a Mecca for the loud student population to drink openly in the park, smoke weed and generally make a right disgusting mess

Is this the best park in Glasgow? Well, if you’re in the West End it certainly is. There are just so many different environments to see in the park, from duck ponds to herb gardens, riverside walks to children’s play areas. There’s even a wee café by the children’s swings at the town end.
The main bulk of the park sits on the east bank of the River Kelvin, swooping gracefully around the foot of Park Circus. From the top of the hill there are fine views of the University and the Art Galleries & Museum, as well as vistas across the Clyde to the south and west. This grassy hillside is a great place to chill on sunny days (yes, we do get them occasionally!), and every inch of space is usually covered with ‘taps aff’ locals desperately trying to increase their vitamin D intake while they have the chance. Most of the park features are located in this section, including some great play areas and a skateboard park.
But the park also extends the other side of Kelvin Way too, embracing both sides of the river as it winds its way between the University and the Art Galleries & Museum, and I frequently walk through here if I’m heading towards town rather than walk along the main road. Look out for the Sunlight Cottages near the Partick Bridge end; these were modelled after worker’s houses in Lord Leverhulme’s Port Sunlight, built for the 1901 International Exhibition, and gifted to the city afterwards.
Also at this end of the park is the romantically-​named ‘snow bridge’, which was once the route of the Dumbarton Road into Partick. The gates in the middle were used to empty snow from carts into the river, and gave the bridge its colloquial name. The newer Partick Bridge was constructed in its place to provide a straighter route for trams, leaving the snow bridge as a pedestrian-​only link.
To the north, the riverside path passes under Gibson Street and becomes the Kelvin Walkway, which almost feels like a continuation of the park. It’s lovely green corridor to stroll along, and you frequently see herons there as well as the ubiquitous grey squirrels. I once saw a kingfisher too!
Mustn’t forget the bandstand — this was very dilapidated for many years, but thankfully was restored in 2014 for the Commonwealth Games and it has played host to some good bands in the summer evenings.
Kelvingrove Park was actually the first city park to be constructed, the former Kelvingrove and Woodlands estate having been bought by the Council in 1852 to provide some much-​needed green space as the city expanded westwards. I bet you didn’t know that it was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, who was the Head Gardener at Chatsworth House and the designer of the Crystal Palace in London, did you?
The park has been the site of three Great Exhibitions, in 1888, 1901 and 1911, and many of the existing buildings date from those exhibitions, including the Art Gallery & Museum and the ‘An Clachan’ café at the east end of the park. The grandiose terracotta Doulton Fountain was originally here, but has since been relocated on Glasgow Green. Kelvingrove Park has to make do with the only slightly less impressive Stewart Memorial Fountain. Completed in 1872, this commemorates the completion of the aqueduct carrying Glasgow’s water supply from Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, and features suitably aquatic imagery inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘Lady of the Lake’. Although restored in 1988, constant vandalism and problems with the pipework have led to the fountain being closed for the time being.
There are many other interesting statues and areas in the park to explore, but I’ll leave you to find them yourself. Enjoy your stroll.

Glasgow is lucky in having so much green space. Unlike many larger cities where parks and greenery can feel like a bit of an afterthought, Glasgow’s parks feel very central to the workings of the city and give it a large part of its character.
Kelvingrove is no exception. The 85 acres straddle the river Kelvin, enclose the Kelvingrove art gallery and museum and contains a bandstand as well as a skate park, bowling and croquet greens, a café, football fields, a children’s play park and countless statues and monuments — probably the most impressive of which is the Stewart Memorial Fountain.
In spring the flowers come to life, in summer it’s the perfect place to sit with a picnic or barbecue, in autumn the morning mists can give the park a very romantic mystery and in winter the frost and ice is chilling but nonetheless beautiful. No matter what the time of year (provided you have weather appropriate clothing) a walk through Kelvingrove is always a pleasant change from the bustle of the city.
Wild life lovers will be pleased to know that the park attracts an impressive variety of birds including cormorants, kingfishers and herons and that red foxes and otters have made the park their home. Not to mention the extremely confident grey squirrels.
Throughout the year a variety of fares and events go on in the park. Sometimes it becomes a fairground with rides and stalls with prizes to be won. My favourite event of the year is probably the Glasgow Mela — a huge multicultural festival with music and live performances as well as incredible street food and stalls selling all kinds of accessories and gifts. It’s usually held in June — so watch out for it.

Being from the highlands and now living in a city with little greenery around me, I love that I can escape to Kelvingrove Park and enjoy a walk not surrounded by buildings.
Living so close I love going there for a run, gentle walk or even a sit by the fountain. I’m a bit sad to be honest and like spending time there on my own, but it’s also a nice place to go with friends. It has a nice vibe about it, usually fairly busy. Especially on the odd sunny day we have — everyone’s top spot seems to be here!
There’s a play park and skate park so unfortunately there’s lots of kids around which could be annoying. But there are parts (kind of in the middle) that are fairly child free if that’s something you’re wondering about.
It’s a lovely park to spend some time in, whether that be a casual stroll, run to clear your head or somewhere to entertain the kids in the school holidays. Definitely one of my fave spots in Glasgow.

Over the years I have spent many hours sitting in the sunshine in this masssssssssssssssssive park or wandering about It with the dug listening to tunes on my iPod. (me with the tunes, not Rogue)
It’s a great part of Glasgow. In a city with hundreds of buildings it’s great that we still have some expansive green areas. It’s full of dugs, kids playing, sun bathers (one or two days a year), monuments, skateboarders, cyclists, runners and great views of the Westend.
A great place to visit and a green getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. If your looking for a park to chill in or wander round you certainly won’t go wrong visiting this one.

I stumbled upon this park on my first day here. The sun doesn’t set in the Summer till after 10 and I was bored so I took a stroll. What a great find! I walked this park every evening and a couple times during the day. It was one of my favorite parts of my visit to Glasgow.

Kelvingrove is probably my go-​to place/​park within the city centre when the sun is shining! It’s a beautiful park that’s not too big but not too small either, the perfect size I’d say.
I’m a big people-​watcher, so I like to sit on the grass and watch the different characters go by like the folk with their adorable dogs playing catch, or the alternative people playing badminton, doing trapeze or yoga, families playing with frisbees, the passionate skateboarders, bmx cyclists and rad talented kids on their scooters, or just watching people chill out in general.
I also like taking naps so sleeping on the grass or bench when it’s warm and sunny is a big win for me!
However, the best thing to do in Kelvingrove park is probably to BBQ! I recently had my first BBQ of the year with my close friends and partner and it’s was so great and relaxing! The best thing is that we can BBQ at any spot (so long as you remember to keep the area clean and best to have a portable BBQ pit). We enjoyed our food, chit chatted, sun-​bathed, listened to music … was a lovely day indeed!
Kelvingrove is a big part of my life here in Glasgow and it’s probably one of my favourite places to be in! Can’t go a week without visiting the park. :)

I feel like Kelvingrove Park is like my back garden. This is where I go running, walk my dogs and to just generally wander on a warm days.
The park is pretty big and has something for everyone — there is a lovely little café called An Clachan where they do tasty freshly baked cakes which has a great park for younger kids right beside it. If you are visiting with older kids they would probably enjoy the larger park and there is a skate park too which is usually pretty mobbed during the school holidays.
Personally I tend to enjoy walking around the park on some of the many paths and just enjoy being surrounded by lots of trees and grass in the middle of the city.
In the summer every spare inch of grass is usually covered with students having barbecues and familes enjoying a nice day in the park, to be honest on really hot days I do tend to avoid Kelvingrove because it is always way too busy for my liking.
Kelvingrove always has a great atmosphere and it a brilliant place to enjoy a few hours in the great outdoors.

I’m a complete fan of Kelvingrove Park. The first time I walked through I saw bagpipe players practising and a man training his sheepdogs. During winter we saw people sledging down the massive hill over and over again. There are two playgrounds-​1 massive one with a skatepark and another smaller one. There are no gates around the playground area which can be a bother when you lose sight of your toddler for a second.
I think the park is beautiful on overcast days and bright cheerful days. There is just something really breathtaking about the place.

Ah Kelvingrove you put the green in this dear green place! It’s really difficult to think of a standard model of the park as it is many things to many folk, and that’s partly why it’s such an important part of the city. Kelvingrove was not the first public park/​space in Glasgow (Glasgow Green), but it was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton (who also designed Crystal Palace in London) and remains one of the finest Victorian era parks in the UK.
I often cut/​walk through the park when I’m out and about as it provides some respite from the fumes and noises of the city streets. I think it’s easy to overlook just how big this place is for an inner city park. On an average day you can see a huge cross section of folk; jakeys asleep in the sun, students walking to class; working folk having a seat & a quick lunch, people out exercising with their dogs, even fashionable mums taking the kids to their infant yoga class (or baby boxercise/​infant zumba whatever it is). The park is many things to many people.
There’s a good amount of facilities within the park; a café, football pitches (3), kids playground and a skate park. Adjacent to the park are the bowling green and tennis courts should you wish to partake. The Kelvin Walkway joins onto Kelvingrove which means you’ll often see cyclists and joggers racing past (maybe they’re just folk keen for a pint at inn deep). At the University side of the park, the bandstand has been reclaimed & was revamped for the Commonwealth Games, it plays host to events (mainly in summer) ranging from film to music to theatre.
The park has a number of monuments honouring the city’s fallen sons. While they are poignant reminders of the past, they also function as meeting points for groups heading to and from the slope in the summer. Climb to the monument at Park Circus and you’ll be rewarded with great views out over the city (weather permitting — this is Glasgow after all).
Despite all the change that has gone on around it, the park has received little more than a facelift or two in over a century. Like its namesake museum, Kelvingrove park still remains an integral part of the city and the legacy provided by the city’s industrial wealth

What a gem of a place.
However, I wish they had made their zero-​alcohol signs a bit larger. I was visiting and my friend and I had decided to have a lovely rosé and tapas picnic as the sun was out and it was our holiday, goddammit!
Anyway, we had just about poured out our lovely rosé wine into some classy plastic glasses when two police officers descended on us, proceeded to demand that we pour all the alcohol away and asked for our names, addresses and where we worked?!
Little did we know that there had been an alcohol-​fuelled riot in the park the year before.
Long story short, make sure your picnics here are teetotal :)

I visit Kelvingrove Park every couple of weeks for a bit of quiet ‘me time’. Recently, it’s had a lot of work done — thanks to the Commonwealth Games, the entry gates have been refurbished and the beautiful fountain has been fixed. There are various historical monuments kicking about, the newly re-​opened Bandstand and a purpose built skateboard park. But i can’t forget the Japanese Garden — home to my favourite tree in Glasgow!

Beautiful Victorian park in the West End of Glasgow. It’s huge meanders around the River Kelvin and contains all sorts. Including a skate park, bowling green, various play parks, fountains, bridges, ice cream vans and the lovely An Clachan café.
Of course it is also the home to the newly refurbished Kelvin Bandstand and sits right up close to the Kelvingrove Museum.
One of my favourite features is the metal picnic benches with special ‘bits’ for your disposable BBQ — I guess they got tired of replacing the burnt wooden ones.
Comes alive on a sunny day with all sorts of people topping up their Vitamin D. Perfect for people watching.

On a beautiful summer day, it’s hard to resist the lure of gorgeous Kelvingrove Park. I don’t spend nearly enough time here but when I do I always enjoy the atmosphere and exploring areas I’d never been to before.
I went for a run a while ago and found myself along the riverwalk way, which I’d never previously ventured to. What an oasis of lush, leafy vegetation in the heart of Glasgow. A must if you’ve never visited before.
Most of the park is open and spacious, great for wandering and people-​watching. There is normally something interesting going on — last time we were there, people had pitched up a high wire for practicing walking across (mind you it was only a few foot off the ground).
In addition to the park areas, there’s sporting venues like the tennis and lawn bowls attached, a skate park and obviously Kelvingrove Museum. All well worth a lazy Sunday wander around.

This is my favourite park in Glasgow! But then I am a west end girl so probably slightly biased ;)
It’s so big and has lots to see and do — the ice cream vans are very popular on sunning days and I love that there’s a skate park in addition to two traditional play parks for kids.
I’ve literally ran through every inch of the park doing bootcamp here for over a year — the 60 granite steps are ingrained in my memory!
I love simply wandering through the park and people watching, there’s always lots going on.