United Kingdom
It's maybe not an obvious destination but the stunning range of colours in Kelvingrove Park, Maxwell Park, Queen's Park and Pollok Country Park is well worth an autumnal visit. Spend some time at the Glasgow University cloisters, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum or, if you head south, at the Burrell Collection. When it gets darker and chillier make sure you find yourself a wee table at cosy Kember & Jones on Byres Road - their coffee and cakes are to die for!
www.kemberandjones.co.uk/
134 Byres road, Glasgow, G12 8TD
+44(0)141 337 3851
Google map: bit.ly/QODgQ4
www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/Parks_gardens/
The Yarn Cake is a yarn and cake shop, or a knitters cafe, or just somewhere to sit out of the rain, squish wool, or have a hot choc on-a-stick.
It's on Queen Margaret Drive, which is growing into a quirky neighbourhood, a bridge between the arty West End and down to earth Maryhill.
The Yarn Cake itself is bright, the large window revealing three tables, and shelf after shelf of yarn, knitting books, and knitting supply. There's a large loo, unusually for the size of the place, which is easily wheelchair accessible and has baby changing facilities.
You'll usually be welcomed by staff and regulars before you get a step into the place. If you come on a Saturday, you might get press-ganged into helping with the Saturday Guardian quiz.
The yarns range from cheap but good quality (Drops) all the way up to hand-died hanks from local indy dyers.
The teas and coffees are also from local suppliers, with half a dozen teas and two coffee blends, ground to order. The hot choc on a stick can come in anything up to four varieties, depending on how quickly they're selling out that day.
Cakes are home made, on the premises, with German tarts and loaves a speciality (though I love the baked cheesecake most).
All in all it's a very welcoming place for knitters and cake fans alike.
theyarncake.posterous.com
148 Queen Margaret Dr, Glasgow G20 8NY
+44(0)141 946 5305
Google map: bit.ly/yIg5pX
No visit to Glasgow is complete without a viewing of Dali's Crucifixtion 'Christ of St John of the Cross' controversial for its view of Christ from above, all depictions before this had been from the point of view of an observer looking up at Christ. The work is housed in the newly renovated and re-opened Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery.
Also, if you have time, take a walk in the park next to the Museum. The park is a great spot for Glasgow people watching and a magnet for skateboarders, rollerbladers and stunt bike riders. You cannot not fail to bump into some Glasgow life in Kelvingrove park and like the painting it will be an alternative view.
The park and Museum do Glasgow proud, both a must visit.
This is a modern recreation of one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's competition designs and it's simply stunning. It's been meticulously matched to the drawings he provided and extra design features from his wife Margaret MacDonald and is a great example of his vision for family living. There's also a great restaurant in the basement!
www.houseforanartlover.co.uk/
Nearest underground - Ibrox
Nearest overground rail - Dumbreck Road
The Duke of Wellington stands imposingly outside the Gallery of Modern Art and some years ago, a cone appeared overnight, presumably the result of a youthful prank. Although it was removed, it kept magically re-appearing and eventually the authorities gave up.
It has become such a landmark that the statue and its cone have featured in tourist guidebooks. A few years ago, when Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board wanted photographs to launch their new Web site, they removed the cone. Immediately, the Lord Provost, Alex Mosson, expressed disappointment, saying that it highlighted the Glaswegian sense of humour. His predecessor, ex-Provost Pat Lally joined in and also agreed it should stay. The end result is that Wellington (and sometimes his horse too) can be seen sporting traffic cones! Not that anyone is suggesting that the Provost and ex-Provost were personally involved....
Near Museum of Modern Art
Whether you’re a Cultural Philistine or an Art Buff, go. A most intriguing mobile based on an ancient bicycle, which would appear to have been conceived by Heath Robinson sits on the ground floor. A circular border of about twenty metres surrounds the exhibit and keeps the curious away. Every half hour this unbelievable construction starts up. Various motors power the intriguing levers that power the variety of movements. The joy of watching this repetition is unparalled. This is a modern art gallery which everyone can enjoy, even those who would not normally consider themselves "arty." The art which has been acquired for this gallery has been produced by living artists, often with a Glasgow link.
While it may take a Glaswegian to see some of the subtler humour, it is definitely a gallery which will entertain. While the sculpture of the Queen in carpet slippers, bringing in the milk and papers from the doorstep of Buckingham Palace may not always be on display - there are plenty of others to raise a grin.
Off Buchanan Street
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