The West End of Glasgow is home to an array of residents, from students, cool couples and growing families. Not only does it host plenty of beautiful places to visit from the Botanic Gardens to Kelvingrove Park and amazing pieces of architecture, but it also has some of the most amazing properties for sale and to rent.

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So if you’re considering a move to the West End of Glasgow, then come along with us on a spotlight tour of the best places to eat, drink, visit and live. We know many of these businesses are temporarily closed or offering limited services at the moment, but hopefully this will give you something to look forward to when things get back to normal soon.

Like the Southside, the West End of Glasgow is split into different areas, and for part one of our spotlight tour we are going to focus on Hillhead, Dowanhill, Hyndland and Broomhill.

Hillhead

Situated north of Kelvingrove Park and south of the Botanic Gardens, Hillhead is a really popular location for those looking to be right in the heart of the action – and very popular with students looking to be a short walking distance from the University. It’s a busy area with pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops located on Byres Road and surrounding streets such as Ashton Lane. You can travel the world in culinary food starting with South East Asia at Ka Pao on Vinicombe Street which opened in 2018 to rave reviews. If you fancy heading to Italy then you’ve got a lot to choose from, like Santa Lucia and La Vita Spuntini or even old favourite Zizzi. Don’t forget to head down Ruthven Lane for Chaakoo Bombay Cafe, an Iranian inspired cafe/restaurant or Vietnamese Hanoi Bike Shop – both extremely popular dinner venues. If you’re looking for a taste of Scotland then stick with Ruthven Lane and you’ll find The Bothy for some traditional Scottish dishes, with a modern twist.

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Whilst you’re there, make sure you visit Starry Starry Night vintage clothing shop, full of amazing pieces bursting with character, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Next, you can head towards the Botanic Gardens which is an ideal location for spring walks and summer sunbathing. You’ll also find Òran Mór, a popular venue for gigs, plays and even weddings. Make sure you check out their ‘A Play, A Pie and A Pint’ lunchtime theatre and Christmas Panto. Hillhead Book Club is a great venue for a fun night out with friends, where you can enjoy tasty food, great gigs and a few games of ping pong.

Fancy seeing the latest movie releases? Then head to the Grosvenor Cinema on Ashton Lane, a great little venue with comfortable sofas and a cocktail bar. Savour those Scottish summer days by relaxing in Brel’s garden which is also located in Ashton Lane. But don’t worry if you feel a chill coming, they are known for their fire pits and s’mores kits!

For those house hunting in Hillhead, properties are mainly traditional tenement flats ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms and some luxurious townhouses. Tenement flats are known for their high ceilings, large rooms and if you’re lucky, some traditional features like original fireplaces, storm doors and large kitchens. Due to its desirable location, properties here are a little more expensive than other

areas of Glasgow, with flats selling for over £200,000 for a 2 bedroom. Again, rental can be high too, for example, a fully furnished 2 bedroom flat could be around £1,000 per month.

Dowanhill and Hyndland

Set a little further back from the main hustle and bustle of Byres Road, it’s a little quieter than Hillhead. Still popular with students but is also mainly occupied by busy professionals. Full of beautiful tenement flats, stunning conversions and detached houses. For those with growing kids, Notre Dame High School is located in the heart of Hyndland and just a short walk from Hyndland train station and Hillhead subway.

There are plenty of places to enjoy a bite to eat, for a casual lunch date with friends or for your Sunday morning coffee. There’s the Hyndland Cafe for all day breakfasts and lunches, enjoy a French/British lunch on the terrace from Epicures by Cail Bruich, or pick up some fresh baked goods from their bakery. Jelly Hill is also a great place to enjoy some delicious food and drinks, an ideal location as it has both indoor and outdoor seating and is just bursting with cosy vibes and a neighbourhood feel.

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Following Hyndland Road, you’ll get to The Rock where you can enjoy some perfect pub food and a great pint.

Properties prices in these areas vary, 1 bedroom flats can be priced around £160,000 and upwards, whereas you can also find properties for over half a million up to 1 million pounds. Homes in these areas go fast, so if you are on the lookout and one pops up – act fast!

Broomhill

Broomhill is located even further back, between Hyndland train station and Victoria Park, and also just south of Gartnaval Hospital. Due to its quieter location, it’s popular for families and young professionals. Jordanhill is also nearby, and transport links make it easy to commute into the City Centre and also nearby motorway.

Crow Road is full of local amenities such as shops, butchers, hair and beauty salons and even Gie It Laldy – the best shop for all your Scottish themed gifts!

Great for families with small children as Broomhill Primary School is located in the heart of the area, plus Naseby Park for keeping the kids entertained at the weekend.

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As with most areas within the West End of Glasgow, properties are mainly tenement flats and townhouses, with prices around £200,000 for a 2 bedroom flat. You may find properties are less expensive here due to their location.

For the latest properties for sale and rent in the West of Glasgow, visit s1homes.com

Some businesses mentioned in this article may be temporary closed or offering limited services due to current lockdown restrictions.