An Afternoon at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens

I've visited Glasgow several times now and been to many of the museums in the city (I've selected six of my favourite ones in the city, you can read about it here.) So when I was back visiting Glasgow in April, I wasn't really planning on hitting up any cultural institutions, then my friend suggested heading over to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and I realized, the city still has so much more to offer that I haven't experienced yet. Good news for both potential future trips planned to Scotland and for the following day's activities. 

200 years ago Thomas Hopkirk founded the Botanic Gardens and established an eight acre garden at the western end of Sauchiehall Street, before it relocated to the West End of the city along the River Kelvin in 1842.

There are several glass structures on the premises that house flora and fauna from various regions around the globe, many of the plants and seeds which had been collected in the 19th century. The Kibble Palace is the most notable of the glass buildings and went under a major restoration in 2003 opening again in 2006.

We visited on a sunny day in early April and although things were still mostly dormant and dull outside, thankfully things inside the glass houses were lush, green and fragrant.

Hidden away in a corner of the gardens is the Botanic Gardens railway station built in 1896 to link Strathclyde Junction with Stobcross on the Glasgow Central Railway. In 1917 the station was closed temporarily due to the war, opening again in 1919, only to close again permanently in 1939.

A day out to a cultural centre just isn't the same without a visit to 'museum' cafe. The Botanic Gardens Tearooms are located in the old curator's house near the Kibble Palace with both indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy a breakfast, light lunch, refreshments or a proper afternoon tea. The setting was beautiful and the food super delicious. 

Visiting the Glasgow Botanic Gardens has reminded me just how enjoyable botanic gardens can be and I am eager to visit my local ones this summer. Stay tuned!

Which are your favourite botanic gardens?

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

Let's get social