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Glasgow

Pollokshields

One of the first garden suburbs in Britain, begun in 1851 on the south side: sandstone tenements to the east, Victorian villas on tree-lined streets to the west.

Welcome

Across the Clyde on the south side, Pollokshields is one of the first garden suburbs in Britain, and Pollokshields Heritage calls it the biggest and best preserved.

Building began in 1851 on land owned by the Stirling Maxwells of Pollok House, and by 1876 enough people lived here for it to become a burgh of its own.

It comes in two halves. East Pollokshields is a grid of sandstone tenements, with the tall townhouses of Knowe Terrace on Shields Road, the Gothic Pollokshields Church with stained glass by Stephen Adam, and the old tram works on Albert Drive, now the Tramway arts centre. West Pollokshields is Victorian and Edwardian villas on wide, tree-lined streets, among them the Arts and Crafts house Ardtonish of 1892. Maxwell Park sits by its station, and Pollok Country Park is ten minutes' walk beyond. The society publishes heritage trails for both halves, and the trains from Central take under ten minutes.

Not farSpitfire EspressoA coffee roaster's café on the corner of High Street and Bell Street, pulling its own Gunnerbean coffee on a red La Marzocco.2 milesSee itSpitfire Espresso
Before you go

Trains from Glasgow Central reach Pollokshields West, Maxwell Park, Dumbreck and Pollokshields East in seven to nine minutes, though none of the four has step-free access.

National Cycle Network Route 75 runs through on its way from the city centre to Pollok Park. Pollokshields Heritage publishes trail leaflets for East and West.

By train
Seven to nine minutes from Central to four local stations.
By bike
NCN Route 75, city centre to Pollok Park.
Trails
Leaflets from Pollokshields Heritage.

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Where it is

The south side of Glasgow, between the M77 and Queen's Park.

Close byIn Pollokshields, or a short way beyond.
  1. An exhibition at Tramway.TramwayThe old tram works on Albert Drive, now an arts centre.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Grilled sardines with new potatoes and a salad of tomatoes and beans on the steel counter at Big Counter.Big CounterUnder a mile as the crow flies
  3. The Hidden GardensThe Hidden GardensA garden behind the Tramway.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The length of Moray Place in low evening sun, its columns and pedimented end bay above the front gardens.Moray PlaceAlexander Thomson's colonnaded terrace of 1859 in Strathbungo.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. Scotland Street School's red sandstone front and glazed stair tower.Scotland Street School MuseumMackintosh's school with its glass stair towers, to the north.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Pollok Country ParkPollok Country ParkWoodland, gardens and Highland cattle, ten minutes' walk beyond Maxwell Park.2 miles 5 min by road
Directions
An octopus and pork skewer with kumquat hot sauce, on paper printed with the name Vera.RestaurantsVera0.3 miles
The glass front of Some Great Reward at the Cooperage, its pink and blue sign above the door, with orange chairs and a table outside in the sun.ShoppingSome Great Reward0.4 miles
Grilled flatbread with pomegranate seeds and three dips in copper bowls, on a woven cloth at Qasba.RestaurantsQasba0.4 miles
A margherita pizza with buffalo mozzarella and basil on a marble table at Errol's Hot Pizza.RestaurantsErrol's Hot Pizza0.4 miles
White fish under a green herb crumb on giant couscous and a red pepper sauce, on a table at Lobo.RestaurantsLobo0.5 miles
A tray of bakes at Burnfield Bakery on Pollokshaws Road: a cream-topped bun, a filled pastry and two chocolate cookies.CafeBurnfield Bakery0.5 miles
Hendersons' blue and yellow front at 721 Pollokshaws Road, its door open.RestaurantsHendersons0.5 miles
A thali of curries, rice, salad and pakoras on a table.RestaurantsRanjit's Kitchen0.5 miles
Green-fronted shop reading "Coffee & Vintage" and "BAM" beneath sandstone tenement windowsShoppingBAM Coffee & Vintage0.5 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near Pollokshields, 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 2
  • In Glasgow
  • 2 miles from Pollokshields
Check datesCrossbasket Castle, GlasgowCrossbasket Castle
  • To stay
  • In Glasgow
  • 7 miles from Pollokshields
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
  • 11 miles from Pollokshields
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovPlaces 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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