THE KELVIN POCKET CAFE

One of my intentions for 2020 is to explore more of Glasgow's West End- its architecture, coffee shops, galleries, and parks. Walking has always been my favourite way to explore the area. It is a bonus if I get shown around by a local highlighting the favourite spots for me, despite the grey and rainy winter day, as one would expect it to be at the end of January. Thea is a professional photographer and lives in Kelvinbridge, she agreed to show me some of her favourite spots in the area. We decided to go for a short walk but firstly met at Kelvin Pocket coffee shop which is just a minute away from the Kelvinbridge subway station and opposite the car park. It’s a lovely, well hidden, cosy cafe with the great tea and coffee options and freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The Kelvin Pocket cafe is on the east bank of the River Kelvin, we crossed the bridge behind the car park to walk along the west bank of the river.

THE KELVIN WALKWAY

The Kelvin Bridge (also called The Great Western Road bridge) - a classic Victorian cast-iron arch structure with two main spans over the Kelvin river and a smaller span on each side. It can be crossed almost unnoticed because its road is level with the streets at both ends, but it is very impressive from the riverside, which we were to explore. It’s part of the Kelvin Walkway route, and it's very beautiful even in winter days. We both have forgotten to take umbrellas, so when it started to rain we sheltered in the archway under the Victorian exuberant Kirklee Bridge (red sandstone with the polished pink granite columns) and then continued walking along the river until we reached the Humpback Bridge. A cast-iron Humpback bridge was built in 1908 and it's a “B” Listed which means this structure has "regional or more than local importance, or major examples of some particular period, style or building type which may have been altered.” Once you have crossed it ascend the stairs which will take you to the Botanic Garden and the Kibble Place.

THE KIBBLE PALACE

Kibble Palace makes for a perfect shelter from the heavy rain and simply a great place to visit during the winter months. Take a walk around the beautiful greenery or if you carry a book around (just like Thea does) it’s a lovely spot for reading a book when the weather in the park is not an option. We then returned to the Great Western Street and Thea showed me her favourite fruit store where you can buy package-free fruits and veggies, as well as refillable grain. Oh, they also do amazing tarts and a good coffee!

• DISTANCE: 1.5 mi / 2.5 km

• TIME: 45min-1 hr

• PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Kelvinbridge Subway

• START: The Kelvin Pocket cafe

• FINISH: Roots Fruits & Flowers Wholefoods

• DIFFICULTY: Easy