Glasgow Green and the city centre

Summary

This exploration of the heart of Glasgow takes in a section alongside the River Clyde and then through the parkland of Glasgow Green - visiting the People's Palace. The route returns past the Tolbooth and through the Merchant City, then continues to George Square and the Gallery of Modern Art.

Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Roads, pavements, cycle path and parks.

Getting there

Start

Glasgow Central Station.

Public Transport

Train to Glasgow Central. Buses are also available to the city centre.

Start Grid Ref

NS587653

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.2km / 3.25 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 20m (Profile)

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Explorer 342 - Glasgow

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

WARNING

The People's Palace (and Winter Gardens) are closed for major refurbishment works; they are expected to reopen in 2027.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

Leave Glasgow Central Station via the twin arches and turn right along Gordon Street, and then right again at the cross-roads onto Union Street. Continue along this until the main junction just short of the Clyde. Cross Clyde Street but not the bridge - instead heading down to the right to reach the cycleway right beside the river. Turn left to head upriver by the Clyde.

Stage 2

This is part of the Clyde Walkway which extends all the way to the Falls of Clyde at New Lanark. Pass under the attractive South Portland St Suspension Bridge and continue until the cycleway reaches the oldest of the Clyde bridges, Victoria Bridge. It is necessary to cross the busy A8 here to continue along the Clyde beyond. Next is the City Union Railway Bridge before reaching Saltmarket and Albert Bridge.

Stage 3

Cross Saltmarket and continue on the path opposite into Glasgow Green, a beautiful park with a rich history, being the scene of many left-wing protests. Keep right at the fork to stay on the path nearest to the Clyde. When St Andrews Suspension Bridge is reached turn sharp left away from the river, heading towards an eight-way path junction by the spectacular glasshouse of the Winter Gardens - part of the People's Palace. The building with the spectacular neo-Gothic facade seen over to the right is the Templeton Building - once a carpet factory and modelled on the Doge's Palace in Venice.

Stage 4

You can pass around the glasshouse to pass the front of the People's Palace, which is a fascinating museum of Glasgow life, and the Doulton Fountain outside it. Continue round the far side until you return to the eight-ways junction and take the path that heads towards the impressive obelisk. This monument to commemorate Nelson's victories predates the more famous column in London by thirty years. Continue straight ahead, through the more formal areas of the Green, to pass through the McLennan arch and emerge back on Saltmarket.

Stage 5

Turn right along Saltmarket, keeping straight on as the road passes under the railway and reach the next junction, Glasgow Cross. Here is the Mercat Cross and the distinctive Tolbooth Steeple - now part of a traffic island but once the scene of public hangings. Turn left along Trongate and then right into Albion Street. At the next junction turn left onto Bell Street, and then go straight ahead at a staggered junction onto Wilson Street - passing one of Glasgow's huge murals - before taking the second right onto Hutcheson Street.

Stage 6

At the end of this street is the elegant Hutcheson's Hall, owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Go left and then immediately right onto John Street and then left along Cochrane Street to reach George Square, Glasgow's main square, laid out in 1781 by James and Robert Adam; the dominant building on the right is the City Chambers - headquarters of the council. Continue straight ahead alongside the square and turn left at the far end into Queen Street.

Stage 7

Very soon there is a striking neo-classical building on the right. Amazingly this was once a house belonging to a tobacco boss, and was later a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, but it nows houses Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art - the most visited contemporary art gallery outside London. In front of it is a statue of the Duke of Wellington - usually topped with a traffic cone. Pass the front and then turn right alongside it, continuing ahead onto Exchange Place. This leads out onto Buchanan Street; head almost straight across, onto Gordon Street, and then continue ahead to return to Central Station.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Glasgow Hotels

Glasgow B&B

Glasgow, Ayrshire & Lanark cottages

Glasgow, Ayrshire & Lanark hostels

Glamping and Camping

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