Welcome to Strathclyde and Glasgow

We want to extend a warm welcome to all new Strathclyde students before the start of the new term. We’ve gathered up some ideas for you to explore more of the city and make the most of your student experience outside of a tutorial or zoom call. Why not grab a friend or take yourself on a solo adventure!

Explore the Parks

Glasgow has an array of beautiful parks including Kelvingrove in the West End, Alexandra Park in the East End and Queen’s Park on the South Side. These 3 are less than 30 minutes out from campus and accessible by car, foot, or public transport.

At Alexandra Park’s highest point, you can see stunning views of Ben Lomond in the distance.


Photo Credit: MyParkScotland

Located on the river Kelvin, Kelvingrove Park is a beautiful green oasis in the heart of the West End. Fun fact you can walk to Milngavie using the Kelvin Walkway which stretches 10 miles along the banks of the River Kelvin.



Queen’s Park is popular in snowy weather, the park's steep hills are perfect for sledging and the lake has frozen over a few times before.

Visit Glasgow Landmarks

The City Chambers is located across the street from campus on George Square. Tours of the building are available and are conducted twice daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm. It gives you a glimpse into the politics of the town and provides a great and entertaining overview of the city’s history. The tours are free and open to members of the public.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located within the grounds of Kelvingrove Park. It is a gorgeous building housing amazing art pieces and installations. There is no entry fee like most museums in Glasgow such as the Gallery of Modern Art, GoMA for short, on Queen Street.


Photo Credit: VisitScotland

The Glasgow Science Centre has 3 levels featuring a variety of experiments and interactive exhibitions. This includes the planetarium, and the shows, open to the public on weekends and during local school holidays. A Science Mall Concession Student ticket is £10.

The Riverside Museum is located on the banks of the River Clyde providing an excellent view over Glasgow. Completely free to visit and open every day of the week. This is another great museum filled with over 3000 objects connected to Glasgow’s rich past.

Tennent’s Brewery is a fully functioning brewery within walking distance of the heart of campus. Interested in finding out what makes Tennent’s Lager Scotland’s favourite beer? The tour gives visitors an insight into Wellpark Brewery and finishes with a tasting experience where there will be a free pint of the good stuff waiting for you! Discounted prices for students are a bonus!

Photo Credit: Tennent’s Tours

Glasgow Necropolis is located just above the brewery; it’s not recommended you visit both in the same day. However, this is a great spot to walk just past the Cathedral and Royal Infirmary boasting some of the best scenic views of the city.



Visit Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are the perfect place to visit during the spring and summer months in Glasgow. Located at the top of Byres Road it is a great place to visit after having lunch or coffee in the West End. The two Glasshouses are filled with an array of tropical plants and flowers as well as stories from the 200-year history of the gardens.


Photo Credit: MyParkScotland

Go for a Hike

The Kilpatrick Hills are accessible by train from Glasgow and provide the perfect place for outdoor escape. Hop on a train at Queen Street Station and alight at Alexandria, Kilpatrick, or Dumbarton East for the Kilpatrick Hills.

They are great for hill walking, bike-riding or peaceful loch's edge picnics with spectacular views over Glasgow and the River Clyde. Keep climbing and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views over Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

Any Strathclyde student either an aspiring or fully-fledged hiker can join the Strathclyde University Mountaineering Club (SUMC). They organise hiking trips frequently and will be able to give further advice.

Discover Glasgow’s Mural Trail 

Bringing life and colour to the streets since 2008, some murals are easy to find, a few are secretly tucked away, and others are no longer with us. 

This interactive online map can guide you through the streets of Glasgow, allowing you to see the best of the city’s street art. It’s a great way to get to know Glasgow better. Why not stick on some comfy shoes and make a day of it? There’s plenty of bars and restaurants on the trail so you can refuel as you go! 

The great thing about the trail is that it’s always growing, and new artwork is being added to it. If you’re lucky, you might just spot a new piece that is not on the list. Find out more about each Mural here!



After you’ve done your exploring around the city or return from a long day of hiking, don’t forget to stop by Union and head to the Terrace to grab yourself some dinner or drinks. Check out what's on here and find The Terrace menu here.