If you’re planning a tour of Scotland by campervan, you can't explore the west coast without paying a visit to Glasgow.
As a cultural hub of Scotland, a trip to the city could fill entire holidays, but for those stopping over, we have some advice on some of the best places to stay, things to do and sights to see.
First of all, you’ll want a great place to park your campervan hire.
As experts in campervan and motorhome holidays, we are delighted to be able to offer our advice on the best places to stay while in the Glasgow area.
When it comes to campsites, we know the key elements to what makes them great; cost, cleanliness, comfort and utilities. The following sites are easy to drive to, close to Glasgow city centre and are all top-rated.
Pannell Farm. A short drive from the centre this site has ample space, low costs and free access to amenities like onsite bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities. A short 10-minute drive from the airport and 20 from the city itself, it's in a prime spot for travellers.
Red Deer Village Holiday Park. Situated within Craigendmuir Park just outside the city centre, it has well-stocked facilities, including electric-hookups for campervans. It is surrounded by some of the most beautiful areas of the country and is the perfect spot for pet-friendly motorhome parking as they offer great walking options and friendly staff.
If you were to look at everything Glasgow has to offer, you’d be reading this article for days on end. To make your life a little easier and to help you make the most of your stopover we’ve cherry-picked some of the best activities in the city.
There are shows and performances in Glasgow almost every night of the week. The National Theatre of Scotland puts on cutting-edge and notable productions that are world-renowned.
Alternatively, for dance, there is the Scottish Ballet who put on unique and stunning productions. For music fans, there are regular concerts as well as performances by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Interested in art? Well, you’re in luck, The Mackintosh House, The Hunterian Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art are situated in the city centre. With contemporary exhibitions, traditional shows and everything in between, you’ll be pushed for time to appreciate everything these museums have to offer.
For science or history buffs there are options like The People’s Palace, which showcases the stories of Glaswegians who lived between 1750 and the end of the 20th century. The Glasgow Science Centre sits on the south bank of the Clyde river, and is a great day out regardless of age. With exciting exhibitions, a cinema and fun activities it's a fantastic stop to make on your tour.
If you’re visiting here for a week, a day or just an afternoon, you’ll want to grab a bite before hitting the open road again. Glasgow is a fantastic city that is continually changing, just wandering the streets you'll have no shortage of budget, high-end or quirky places where you can get a great meal or a couple of drinks.
One thing Glasgow does well is coffee. In recent years, the city's coffee scene has boomed and produced some fantastic places for a midday caffeine top-up. In the city centre alone there is the award-winning Laboratorio Espresso, the beautiful Willow Tearooms and Gordon Street Coffee, all of which are well worth a trip.
For a great meal, you can visit Chaakoo Bombay Cafe for a taste of India, Porter & Rye for a steak or any number of amazing casual dining spots. For something a little high-end, there are many great foodie stops like Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery, The Corinthian and Anchor Line, which all boast impressive decor, fantastic food and indulgent menus.
If you’re planning on hitting the high streets while in Glasgow, you’ll find it's a paradise for shoppers. There are no shortage of vintage and bespoke stores and high-end brands, all within walking distance of each other.
For fashion, you have Buchanan Street, dubbed ‘The Style Mile’, as well as the Merchant City and Argyle Street. High-end fashion, bohemian shopping or high-street chains turn the city centre into a fashion hub. On top of that, you have the many shopping centres filled with stores and restaurants to keep you busy for days, such as Buchanan Galleries and the St. Enoch Centre.
If you want any more details on the city, you can visit these handy websites that showcase the best Glasgow has to offer.
Alternatively, ask us about activities and locations to visit when you pop in to collect your campervans or motorhomes for hire.