Glasgow Botanic Gardens: the city’s green heart
The dear green place. That description gave Glasgow its name, according to linguistic tradition (or in less poetic translations, green valley). Either way it’s still true. Although the city might be forever associated with shipbuilding, industry and manufacturing, there are huge stretches of parkland to explore, including Glasgow botanic gardens.
And I’d argue that the Glasgow Botanic Gardens are easily one of the loveliest gardens to visit in the city too, with lots for kids to enjoy during a day out.
Set between the River Kelvin and the West End, with its quirky shops and restaurants along Byres Road, the botanic gardens felt very much part of the city rather than a separate attraction.
Perhaps that’s partly because it’s free to enter, so you can simply wander in off the street and relax on the lawn – something plenty of people were doing on the sunny Saturday when we visited.
Venture just a bit further though, and the gardens cover an impressive 42 acres so you could explore them for hours. Or as long as your toddler’s energy lasts!
Huge glasshouses house tropical and desert plants as well as water lilies in a pond, or you can wander slowly through the arboretum, rose garden and riverside walks, perfect at different times of year.
But there are some quirky touches as well, between simply ambling aimlessly and soaking up the gardens. Historic flowerbeds group plants by date for some botanic time travel, plus you can follow the heritage trail, picking out spots of interest along the way.
As well as some rather unusual bird boxes… towering high above, they looked like a cross between telegraph poles and art – even a toddler’s attention is immediately caught by them.
And tucked away in a quiet spot is the peaceful Children’s garden – aka the wee garden.
Designed to encourage kids to get involved in planting and gardening – and doing some growing of their own along the way – it’s also home to herbs, intriguing pods and overgrown paths to explore.
Even more fascinating, at least according to every toddler who ventured near, was the small wooden ‘house’ complete with mini chairs set on a small raised platform.
Fortunately for me – and several other parents trying to lure their children away to explore more of the gardens – there’s also a playground right next door. The only problem then is how to lure them out of that…
For more ideas of things to do in Glasgow with kids, check out my top picks
Need to know: Glasgow botanic gardens
The Gardens are open from 7am to dusk year round. The glasshouses are open from 10am-6pm (4.15pm in winter) and entry is free to the whole site.
Disclosure: my visit to Glasgow was courtesy of Visit Scotland.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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