Not many people know about this, even one tour guide I met hadn't heard of it. At the top of Kelvingrove Park, near the University, sit two tudor-style cottages, built for the 1901 Glasgow Exhibition. They were built by the Lever Brothers (of Persil and Fairy, and Sunlight Soap fame), as an exact replica of the houses that make up Port Sunlight village, the town built for their workers, complete with cinema, art gallery and railway station, near Liverpool.

The Glasgow houses (Port Sunlight Cottage) were intended to be an example of how houses in Glasgow would be built from then on, but this never happened, and now they stand alone, looking quite out of place amongst the sandstone of the city. They are now private residences.

It's a beautiful walk up through the park to get to the houses, and it leaves you within easy reach of the Transport Museum, the Kelvingrove museum and art gallery, and the West End.

You can see more at
tinyurl.com/3dap2j

Just outside Glasgow University, G12, at the top of Kelvingrove Park.
If you are on the Glasgow tour bus, get off at the Kelvingrove museum and walk up from there.

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Hogganfield Loch is a local nature reserve. It's a shallow loch with a wooded island and there's an adjacent marshland reserve. There's free parking and a tarmac path around the loch allowing easy access. It's particularly interesting for bird-watchers as it has a large population of varied wildfowl often with rarities and all easily visible. It's popular with migrants and wintering birds including whooper swans.

Hogganfield Park
Cumbernauld Road
Robroyston
Glasgow
G33

The park lies 5km northeast of Glasgow city centre and is is bounded to the north and west by Cumbernauld Road (A80) and by Avenue End Road (B765) to the east. No railway station very close but lots of buses pass by.

www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/Parks_gardens/hogganfieldpark.htm

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Also known as St Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow cathedral is situated in Cathedral Square at the north end of the medieval High Street. It's the only surviving mainland pre-reformation cathedral in Scotland and dates mainly from the 13th century. It's still in use. Architectural highlights include the lower church or crypt and the rare plate tracery windows. Entry is free.

Glasgow Cathedral, Castle Street, G4

www.glasgow-cathedral.com

nearest railway station - High Street

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It's a big, accessible green space with good paths largely through mixed woodland which also features an early ringwork if you're in to archaeology. There are also gardens. Look out for kingfishers along the White Cart Water. There's a programme of family events and the kids will like the heavy horses and the highland cattle herd. There are also mountain bike courses through the woods for beginners to advanced level.

And if it rains, the Burrell Collection is on site - marvellous antiquities and art and entry is free. Or you could visit Pollok House, an 18th century mansion house in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Both venues have restaurants.

If going by car, park by Pollok House rather than by the Burrell if you want to avoid parking fees.

Pollok Country Park
2060 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow
G43

www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/Parks_gardens/pollokcountrypark.htm

Nearest train station Pollokshaws West

Buses 45, 47, 48, 57

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One of many beautiful green spaces in this city of surprises. Great place for a walk, game of frisby or just to sit and watch the world go by. In the summer they run 'Bard in the Botanics' so you can waste away an entire evening in the company of some of theatre's greatest characters.

For all those who think Glasgow is a grey, dull and depressing excuse for a city - be prepared to have your socks very pleasantly knocked off.

In the West End, at the top of Byres Road.

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Just reopened after a great job of renovation. There is plenty to see for children of any age and the layout allows a space where younger children can run around while browsing. The park is large and on the other side of Argyle Steet there are a couple of pubs that serve reasonable food at midday. My kids - aged 6 and 9 - loved it. Taking the Glasgow underground (if you never have) is an event in itself. Across the road is the Transport Museum which is also a good free visit, and the ice cream van outside is a must.

Kelvingrover Art Gallery and Museum: Argyll Street, Glasgow;
tel: 0141 276 9515;
Museum of Transport: 1 Bunhouse St, Glasgow;
tel: 0141 287 2720;
www.glasgowmuseums.com;
Directions: Get off at Kelvingrove underground after Partick train station or direct from Buchanan St underground

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