So also took the opportunity to have a walk around the Park Circus area and down into Kelvingrove park. Had been looking down into this park yesterday from the University and was glad to get the chance today to explore it some more. I have been in Kelvingrove park a few times but not for many years and never had a proper rummage about. And although the weather not quite as sunny as yesterday it was perfect for exploring. Also did find a hidden gem...
So lets start up at the Circus ... Park Circus.
Park Circus sits on top of a hill overlooking Kelvingrove Park. It is made up of four curved terraces around a central private garden and was built between 1857 and 1858.
It really is a beautiful and historic area. You can still just about imagine horse drawn carriages drawing up outside these houses.
The most well known house in Park Circus is number 22. This is the registry office where people can get married in a civil ceremony. This is a photo of the entrance to number 22. I did go inside for a peek and it is has been beautifully restored. Can't even describe how special it is. However that is a problem because I wasn't allowed to take any photos to show you without prior arrangement so will either have to go back or you will have to just pop up here yourself. :)
Now just off Park Circus there are four towers which can be seen from across the city. Combined with the University tower they are the closest thing Glasgow has to having a skyline.
The most well known house in Park Circus is number 22. This is the registry office where people can get married in a civil ceremony. This is a photo of the entrance to number 22. I did go inside for a peek and it is has been beautifully restored. Can't even describe how special it is. However that is a problem because I wasn't allowed to take any photos to show you without prior arrangement so will either have to go back or you will have to just pop up here yourself. :)
Now just off Park Circus there are four towers which can be seen from across the city. Combined with the University tower they are the closest thing Glasgow has to having a skyline.
The first three towers are part of the Trinity building. The fourth white tower is across the road and is the steeple that is left of what was the Park Parish Church. All of these are now part of luxury apartments.
I was very tempted to try to blag (blog? :) ) my way up the big Trinity tower but decided with my thing for heights that I was quite happy with the view from the ground today. :)
Down into Kelvingrove Park itself. This park dates back to Victorian times when between 1852 and 1854 the City purchased 66 acres of land. This was in response to the then appalling conditions created by the rapid growth of the city from the industrial revolution. There are a number of entrances and staircases take you into the park but this is the most grand.
These Granite stairs lead from the Park Circus area into the park. Now I challenge you to walk down this magnificent staircase without thinking about tap dancing down them like Fred Astaire or singing Madonna's Material girl depending upon what takes your fancy. :)
Down into Kelvingrove Park itself. This park dates back to Victorian times when between 1852 and 1854 the City purchased 66 acres of land. This was in response to the then appalling conditions created by the rapid growth of the city from the industrial revolution. There are a number of entrances and staircases take you into the park but this is the most grand.
These Granite stairs lead from the Park Circus area into the park. Now I challenge you to walk down this magnificent staircase without thinking about tap dancing down them like Fred Astaire or singing Madonna's Material girl depending upon what takes your fancy. :)
Just over from the Granite stairs is this impressive bronze statue of a Royal Bengal Tigress feeding her cub with a peacock. It dates from 1867 and was presented to the city by John S. Kennedy of New York who was a Glaswegian that had become a millionaire in America. It is a copy of a statue he had seen in Paris. Another copy of this statue seemingly stands in Central Park Zoo in New York.
Lots of statues in this park and they all have a story attached. This one is of Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts V.C.. Lord Roberts was a national hero in Victorian times winning the Victoria Cross in the Indian Mutiny in 1857 when he was just 26. He died at the age of 82 of pneumonia in 1914 while visiting troops fighting in France during the First World War.
Lots of statues in this park and they all have a story attached. This one is of Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts V.C.. Lord Roberts was a national hero in Victorian times winning the Victoria Cross in the Indian Mutiny in 1857 when he was just 26. He died at the age of 82 of pneumonia in 1914 while visiting troops fighting in France during the First World War.
This is an impressive statue with various troops carved around the base. And there is also a lovely view for this old war veteran across to the University tower.
Another statue ... another story ...
I knew about this statue and sought it out. It is right on the edge of the park (actually outside the railings in Woodlands Road) and is of Lobey Dosser. It is to commemorate the work of the innovative Scottish cartoonist Bud Neill, who Lobby Dosser was his most famous character.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Neill
Yes another statue. Told you there were a lot of them.
But thought I would mention this one as it is of Lord Kelvin. He entered Glasgow University at the age of 10 and became Professor of Physics at the age of 22. He went on to propose the Kelvin temperature scale and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
A true genius and part of the illustrious history of Glasgow University.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Kelvin
Ok, just one more. But another important name in the history of the city and the University.
This one is of Lord Lister. Lister pioneered the use of antiseptics while he was Professor of Surgery at Glasgow University and working at the city's Royal Infirmary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Lister,_1st_Baron_Lister
Another statue ... another story ...
I knew about this statue and sought it out. It is right on the edge of the park (actually outside the railings in Woodlands Road) and is of Lobey Dosser. It is to commemorate the work of the innovative Scottish cartoonist Bud Neill, who Lobby Dosser was his most famous character.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Neill
Yes another statue. Told you there were a lot of them.
But thought I would mention this one as it is of Lord Kelvin. He entered Glasgow University at the age of 10 and became Professor of Physics at the age of 22. He went on to propose the Kelvin temperature scale and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
A true genius and part of the illustrious history of Glasgow University.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Kelvin
Ok, just one more. But another important name in the history of the city and the University.
This one is of Lord Lister. Lister pioneered the use of antiseptics while he was Professor of Surgery at Glasgow University and working at the city's Royal Infirmary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Lister,_1st_Baron_Lister
The other reason couldn't resist posting this photo is that Lister seems to be wearing a mortar board hat. Something to do with graduation being at the University this week? :)
Just down from the statues is this old bandstand.It was first used in 1925 to host concerts but has fallen into disrepair. Seemingly the Council is looking into options for restoring it. I hope they do because even in it's current state you can see it would be a magical venue for bands to play.
These unexpected and beautiful little cottages were built for the 1901 International Exhibition. Kelvingrove Park used to host these huge exhibitions that brought in examples of everything from across the Empire.
These were copies of the cottages built at Port Sunlight near Liverpool by the Lever Brothers Limited.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Sunlight
As you walk around the park you can nearly always get a view of the University tower. Here it is pictured from the Snow Bridge over the River Kelvin.
This bridge is called the Snow Bridge as it used to have gates that allowed snow to be swept into the Kelvin.
Can't really walk around Kelvingrove Park without posting up a photo of the museum and art galleries. I've already done a tour around inside but don't think you can get enough of this magnificant building, especially with sunlight making it look it's best today.
But the park not just for strolling and looking at statues. It has swing parks for the kids, tennis courts for the next generation of Andy Murrays and pictured above a cool skateboard park and for a slower pace these well maintained bowling greens. It really is a wonderful open space for the people in the West End to enjoy.
But saved my favourite part of today till last. This is a photo of a little lane just down from Park Circus. It has a little row of houses set into the hillside. Today it was covered in dappled sunlight. Made it look magical. The people there have placed little garden areas in the cobbled street outside.
I had to go investigate. As I was taking photos of the street I heard the door open and thought I was going to get into trouble. "Get oot of my front garden" I was expecting to hear. But instead got talking to a lovely woman that lives in one of the houses and she loved that I loved their street.
This is the front garden in the cobbles. I loved that little red and white teapot and the little dog.
Just down from the statues is this old bandstand.It was first used in 1925 to host concerts but has fallen into disrepair. Seemingly the Council is looking into options for restoring it. I hope they do because even in it's current state you can see it would be a magical venue for bands to play.
These unexpected and beautiful little cottages were built for the 1901 International Exhibition. Kelvingrove Park used to host these huge exhibitions that brought in examples of everything from across the Empire.
These were copies of the cottages built at Port Sunlight near Liverpool by the Lever Brothers Limited.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Sunlight
As you walk around the park you can nearly always get a view of the University tower. Here it is pictured from the Snow Bridge over the River Kelvin.
This bridge is called the Snow Bridge as it used to have gates that allowed snow to be swept into the Kelvin.
Can't really walk around Kelvingrove Park without posting up a photo of the museum and art galleries. I've already done a tour around inside but don't think you can get enough of this magnificant building, especially with sunlight making it look it's best today.
But the park not just for strolling and looking at statues. It has swing parks for the kids, tennis courts for the next generation of Andy Murrays and pictured above a cool skateboard park and for a slower pace these well maintained bowling greens. It really is a wonderful open space for the people in the West End to enjoy.
But saved my favourite part of today till last. This is a photo of a little lane just down from Park Circus. It has a little row of houses set into the hillside. Today it was covered in dappled sunlight. Made it look magical. The people there have placed little garden areas in the cobbled street outside.
I had to go investigate. As I was taking photos of the street I heard the door open and thought I was going to get into trouble. "Get oot of my front garden" I was expecting to hear. But instead got talking to a lovely woman that lives in one of the houses and she loved that I loved their street.
This is the front garden in the cobbles. I loved that little red and white teapot and the little dog.
So here is a little close up of "Dog" as he is called.
Have to admit to being very jealous of the owners of these houses today. It is just such a perfect hidden corner of the city.
Wee bit slower pace to the post today. Just a beautiful day for a walk in the park.
Be well, be happy!!
I was in the registry office for a wedding earlier this year. It really is a spectacular building.
ReplyDeleteI was especially taken by the balcony area, where the couple had photos taken.
As an aside, they had the reception at the Bothy, as mentioned in your previous post. If you do go there, order the creme brulee - it's immense :-)