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The University of Glasgow's tower rising above the trees beyond Kelvingrove Park.
Glasgow

University of Glasgow

The Gothic university on Gilmorehill, founded in 1451 and here since 1870, with its cloisters, quadrangles, Memorial Chapel and the Hunterian, open to walk round.

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Welcome

High on Gilmorehill above Kelvingrove Park, the Gothic towers of the University of Glasgow are one of the great sights of the West End.

The university was founded in 1451, the fourth oldest in the UK, and taught for four centuries in the old town before moving up here in 1870, into buildings designed by George Gilbert Scott.

The list of those who studied and worked here runs from Adam Smith, who came up at fourteen in 1737, to Lord Kelvin, whose house on the campus was one of the first in the world to be lit by electricity, in 1881. Anyone can walk in. Go through the gates on University Avenue into the two quadrangles, find the vaulted cloisters that run between them, look into the Memorial Chapel, and climb to the Hunterian, Scotland's oldest public museum, in the same building. The view back down over Kelvingrove from the front terrace is one of the best in the city.

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The Daily for 10 November, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.
Close byCottonrake Bakery2 min by roadSee itCottonrake Bakery

Before you go

The campus is open to walk round, with cafés and restaurants for visitors.

The university publishes information on its architecture and history for visitors, and runs events, concerts and public lectures. Hillhead subway station is a few minutes' walk.

Where
University Avenue, Gilmorehill, G12 8QQ.
Inside
The cloisters, the quadrangles, the Memorial Chapel, the Hunterian.
Getting there
Hillhead or Kelvinbridge subway.

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Where it is

Gilmorehill in Glasgow's West End, above Kelvingrove Park.

Close byOn the campus, or down the hill.
  1. Hunterian Museum and Art GalleryHunterian Museum and Art GalleryScotland's oldest museum, in the university's main building.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. Mural of a girl in a headscarf on a Glasgow tenement wallByres RoadThe high street of the West End, a few minutes west.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. A salad bowl and a slice of cheesecake on a wooden table.The Left BankUnder a mile 2 min by road
  4. The Gothic towers of the University of Glasgow's main building under a grey sky.HillheadThe Victorian suburb across University Avenue.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. Kelvingrove ParkKelvingrove ParkPaxton's park below the university.1 mile 4 min by road
  6. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumKelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumThe red sandstone museum of 1901 across the park.1 mile 5 min by road
Directions
A red bowl of beef noodle soup with wide hand-pulled noodles, spring onion and coriander at Noodles and Dumplings.RestaurantsNoodles and Dumplings0.4 miles
Diners round a table in a warm, busy room.RestaurantsStravaigin0.4 miles
The corner front of Eusebi Deli on Park Road, with red awnings and the deli's red seal in the sun.RestaurantsEusebi Deli0.4 miles
The busy café under high ceilings, counter and shelves behind the tables.CafeKember & Jones0.4 miles
The Alchemy Experiment's tall glass front, its name in red.ShoppingThe Alchemy Experiment0.4 miles
Shelves of old leather-bound books above modern paperbacks.ShoppingThistle Books0.5 miles
Perch & Rest Coffee on Otago Street at dusk, a white cottage with lit windows, greenery and tables and chairs out front.CafePerch & Rest0.5 miles
Kochchi's yellow brick building on Ruthven Lane at night, with its balcony lit above and its masks painted on the walls.RestaurantsKochchi0.5 miles
Cottonrake Bakery shopfront with bicycles and people seated at outdoor tablesCafeCottonrake Bakery0.5 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the university, and when each is next free.

A grey sofa with cushions sits before a black and white kitchen, a framed print on the wall to the left.Moment Blythswood Street
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glasgow
  • A mile from the university
Check datesA grey corner sofa with cushions and a sheepskin throw sits before a shelf of books and a round mirror, a wood burning stove and log store to the right.Talli House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Dunlop
  • 12 miles from the university
Free 11–13 JanPlaces to stayEvery stay in GlasgowAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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