Neighbourhoods City and Surrounding

 

City Centre is based on a grid system of streets, similar to that of American cities or Gaudi’s Barcelona. The heart of the ‘town’ is the landmark of George Square, site of many of Glasgow’s public statues and the elaborate Victorian Glasgow City Chambers, headquarters of Glasgow City Council. The main shopping precincts are Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street with the up-market Princes Square and the Ingram Street specialising in designer labels. The city centre is home to most of Glasgow’s main cultural venues: The King’s Theatre, The Pavilion, The Theatre Royal, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow Film Theatre and GOMA. It is also home to four of Glasgow’s universities, some of which are world renowned, along with the recently upgraded City of Glasgow Collage campuses.

Dennistoun is a district which is situated north of the River Clyde in the east end of the city. Although predominantly tenements, the Victorian villas and terraces to the west (towards the city centre) illustrate part of Alexander Dennistoun’s original plan for the whole district. With a wealth of amenities and transport links, coupled with close proximity to the city centre and Caledonian, Strathclyde universities and City of Glasgow College campuses, has contributed to its regeneration in recent years; many of its residents are now students and young professionals.

Finnieston is located on the North side of the River Clyde between the city’s West End and the city centre. It is home to the SEC and Hydro arenas. The area has seen a significant change in land-use since deindustrialisation. Previously, Finnieston was an area of warehouses and docks. Today however there is modern housing, commercial, retail, leisure and arts & culture developments. The area has seen particular growth within recent years, which has coincided with the introduction of The Hydro and developing Clydeside Walkway.

Merchant City was formerly the residential district of the wealthy merchants in the 18th & early 19th centuries, particularly the Tobacco Lords from whom many of the streets take their name. The area has been promoted and developed over the last two decades as a residential, shopping and leisure area, mirroring London’s Covent Garden. This has been complemented with the building of prestigious new housing developments, often by restoring Victorian buildings – an example being the GPO Building development. The district further benefits from a wealth of transport links, which along with the standard of property, adds value to the area. The annual Merchant City Festival takes place in July/August attracting tens of thousands to the area with its multi-arts programme.

Neighbourhoods West

 

Dowanhill occupying the area west of Hillhead, south of Kelvinside and east of Hyndland/Broomhill. This residential district consists of a mixture of terraced townhouses with private communal gardens, detached villas with private grounds and a number of larger storey tenement buildings. It’s a highly desirable location due to its West End locale close to the Botanic Gardens, Byres Road and Ashton Lane with its draw of bars, restaurants and boutique shops.

Hillhead is north of Kelvingrove Park and to the south of the River Kelvin. It is at the heart of Glasgow’s fashionable West End, with Byres Road forming the western border of the area, the other boundaries being Dumbarton Road to the south and the River Kelvin to the east and north. The University of Glasgow is located here with other features including Western Baths, Hillhead High School, Glasgow Academy and Kelvinbridge , which straddles the picturesque River Kelvin. Hillhead and Kelvinbridge subway stations serve the district.

Hyndland is a residential pocket in the West End of the city, bordering Broomhill, Dowanhill, and Partickhill. There are a number of retail outlets in the area including high calibre delicatessens, cafés, hair & beauty salons, boutiques and local shops. It is a quiet area with red sandstone tenements, many of which are fronted by communal gardens, often embellished with ornate and decorative doorway carvings and stained glass windows. There are also a number of period townhouses that contribute significantly to the area’s character and charm. While many of these have been split into multiple apartments to cater for modern urban living, a number of them remain as individual properties. Hyndland railway station is on the North Clyde and Argyle lines which allows direct access to Edinburgh. There is also a number of bus routes offering a direct link to central Glasgow in the region of ten minutes.

Kelvingrove is in the West End of Glasgow and benefits from a central location making it a popular district for students and employees of Glasgow University. It offers a direct route for commuters to the city centre via major artery roads or alternative through the use of Glasgow’s subway network. Kelvingrove Park contains the famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum along with the offering of an urban haven for wildlife but let’s not forgot the newly refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand & Amphitheatre just off the appealing Kelvin Way.

Park District is an elevated district based around Park Circus, which sits at the top level beside Kelvingrove Park. The area is bordered by the City Centre, Kelvingrove and Woodlands. Many of the area’s large townhouses were converted to offices are now being returned to residential use, with focus being on the final piece of Park Quadrant being developed. It is generally considered one of the most prestigious residential areas in Glasgow, with several high calibre developments and historical architecture. The nearest transport links are Kelvinbridge subway station and Charing Cross railway station

Partick is divided into three social areas: south of Dumbarton Road, north of Dumbarton Road and the Partick Hill grand villas. Being close to the University of Glasgow and the city’s salubrious “West End” creates an diverse population. Traditional industries for the area include shipbuilding and the huge Meadowside Granary have faded but have reinvigorated with residential uses along with the upcoming retail development on the Clydeside. Dumbarton Road, hosts a number of local amenities including Partick rail and subway stations.

Neighbourhoods South

 

Clarkston & Giffnock are affluent suburban towns in East Renfrewshire which lie a short distance outside Glasgow city centre. The locality borders the other Eastwood suburbs of Busby and Netherlee, and is served by Clarkston & Giffnock railway stations which provide access to further afield East Kilbride. Clarkston & Giffnock districts provide a broad range of amenities catering for professionals and families due to it’s desirable schooling institutions. Rouken Glen Park provides an urban park which hosts leisure facilities.

Newton Mearns is a suburban town in East Renfrewshire, primarily a residential area, with most of its residents travelling by car or public transport to Glasgow for work and retail. The Avenue Shopping Centre and Greenlaw Village service the area. As well as minor and major roads, the town has bus links with the centre of Glasgow and Ayrshire coast. Newton Mearns is served by two local railway stations, Patterton and Whitecraigs which both run trains to Glasgow Central station amongst others. Mearns is served by four primary schools and three high schools, as well as one independent secondary school. Newton Mearns contains a number of recreational parks, leisure facilities, golf and rugby clubs.

Shawlands located just to the south of the River Clyde. Neighbouring districts include the pockets of Cathcart, Langside and Pollokshaws. Within walking distance of Shawlands is Queens Park, the park is steeped in history and was the site of the 16th century Battle of Langside. The park has botanical glass house, state of the art public tennis courts, small public golf course, children’s play areas, traditional boating pond and spectacular skyline views of Glasgow.

Neighbourhoods North

 

Bearsden is a town within East Dunbartonshire, lying on the north western fringe of Greater Glasgow. The area is popular with families due to schooling and amenities within the district. There are two secondary schools in the town, Bearsden Academy and Boclair Academy which are fed by seven primary schools including the newly completely St Nicholas Primary School. Bearsden is primarily a middle-class commuter suburb, with its residents travelling into Glasgow each day to work by road or alternatively by rail from Bearsden, Westerton or Hillfoot stations.

Bishopbriggs is a town in East Dunbartonshire, close proximity to Glasgow via road and rail makes it a suburb and commuter town of the city. Bishopbriggs is notable for its superior Victorian villas and charming bungalows however more recently new build housing developments in the neighbouring area of Robroyston have added diversity. The area is served by over five Primary schools and two Secondary schools, with Bishopbriggs Academy being highly regarded in education tables.

Milngavie neighbours Bearsden at the north western edge of Greater Glasgow approximately 7 miles (11.2 km) from Glasgow city centre. Milngavie is a commuter town which also boasts good schooling institutions and activity facilities. Certain properties in the district can command some of the highest house prices in the greater Glasgow district which has led to its reputation as an exclusive residential hotspot.