Walk Leader
Fiona Wallace
Capacity
15
Join us for a leisurely stroll around the Glasgow Botanic Gardens – a fabulous visitor attraction which is ideal for the Scottish climate as it incorporates both indoors and outdoors sections. We will roam with our cameras through the Kibble Palace to see its range of plants (beware of the carnivorous room) and its magnificent sculptures. We will also take in the Main Ranges with their various climate zones. The splendid orchid house is also located within the main range. I also hope to get us access to an area of the Ranges not usually accessible to the public. The 20 hectares of the outdoors area of the Gardens include the herbaceous border, the economic and medicinal gardens and the Arboretum. The last of those areas takes in a short wander alongside the River Kelvin.
Photography is permitted both indoors and out, but please bear in mind that the Gardens are busy at weekends so we need to be careful if using tripods, especially in the indoors spaces where passageways are on occasion narrow.
The outside walking surface is tarmac so decent walking shoes are advised. The indoor surfaces are concrete or slabs.
The Gardens has a handful of street food stalls as well as having a sit-down cafeteria. We can decide on the day which option we wish to take. There is also plenty of seating around the Gardens for anyone who wants to bring a packed lunch.
Entry to the Gardens is free and there are public toilets within the grounds.
Walk Location
55.879740443013, -4.2911911010742
Walk Directions
Glasgow Botanic Gardens are located on the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road. It is well-served by buses and the nearest Subway is HIllhead. If you are coming by car, there is no parking within the grounds but on-street parking is available in Queen Margaret Drive immediately adjacent to the entrance. Limited parking for blue badge holders is available within the Gardens - please let me know if you require access to this. Parking charges do apply on a Sunday but I believe it is at a reduced cost to weekdays.
We will meet at the main gate of the Gardens on Great Western Road diagonally opposite Oran Mor.
Accessibility
The terrain is mostly flat with some slight but short inclines. There is access for wheelchair users in the Kibble Palace and the Main Ranges, but please note that some areas (e.g. orchid house) have fairly narrow paths. The public toilets are accessible. In terms of distance, we are free to walk as far or otherwise as we wish. There are plenty of public benches throughout the walk to allow people to rest.
Feedback Meeting Type
Decide At Walk
Feedback Talk Date and Time