Out and About in Glasgow: The East End

We're pretty fond of the West End of Glasgow because it's close to the train station and Aaron's job and the University and my favourite shops, so we spend most of our time in Glasgow there. A couple weeks ago we decided to branch out a bit and check out the East End, just to see what it had to offer. 

Previously, the farthest east we'd explored in Glasgow was the area around Glasgow Cathedral so this was all new to us. The East End is full of local colour and shops, tall tenement buildings, tiny streets that rarely go in a straight line, and lots and lots of character. It's also the oldest parts of Glasgow and the age really shows through in the buildings and design. 

We had no specific plans that day, so we meandered down the winding streets to Glasgow Green to soak up the occasional sunshine. 

McLennon Arch at the northwest entrance to the park. 

Unlike Kelvingrove Park (which basically flanks the river and is very, very hilly), Glasgow Green was flat! There were plenty of people walking up and down the Green, mostly families although there were lots of dogs running about as well. The park itself is part of land set aside in 1450 to the people of Glasgow by King James II. Throughout it's history it was used as a camp by the Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, the center for public executions in the 1800s, the area where James Watt was inspired to create a condenser for the steam engine, a meeting place for women suffragettes in the early 1900s, and more recently the location for the local boating and rowing clubs. Now it is a long, spacious green alongside the River Clyde. 

At the end of the Green was the People's Palace (top picture). Since most museums here are free, we decided to pop in and see what all the fuss was about...

... and I pretty much fell in love with the Winter Gardens. It's a big, spacious greenhouse made up of some pretty common and uncommon plants. Aaron grabbed us a lunch in the cafe while I warmed up and soaked up the sun and the greenery. I have definite plans to return again because it was really peaceful even with hordes of kids running amok. Plus, I would love to see some of the flowers in bloom. 

After we walked through the rest of the museum which focuses on the history and culture of Glasgow (it was well done but not our favourite, we decided afterwards we like more art museums) and we walked all the way back to the subway station on Buchanan St. (Next time I'm taking the train from Argyll station.)

We have definite plans to return to the East End because the Barras Market is located there and it's basically a huge weekend market/ flea market and since Aaron is currently rather into film cameras and I'm looking for new house decor, it seems like the place to go. 

Glasgow is such an interesting city and I'm trying to soak it all up, so from now on, I'm determined to take my camera with my so I can snap some of the interesting sights we see on a frequent basis. :)