Byres Road, Glasgow

Byres Road, Glasgow

Byres Road, located in the Hillhead area of Glasgow, serves as a vital thoroughfare in the city's West End. This street encompasses a diverse blend of commercial enterprises, shopping outlets, and high-end residential properties, primarily characterized by traditional sandstone tenements. These buildings typically feature retail spaces on their ground floors and three stories of residential apartments above. Notably, its proximity to the University of Glasgow has resulted in a significant student population in the surrounding West End of Glasgow.

Prominent Glasgow artist Alasdair Gray has embellished several establishments along Byres Road with his murals, including the Ubiquitous Chip, the Oxfam Bookshop, and the Oran Mor bars.

Stretching from the Botanic Gardens, adjacent to Great Western Road in the north, to Partick Cross at Dumbarton Road in the south, the road initially traversed a relatively rural region known as the Byres of Partick, also referred to as Bishop's Byres. One of the area's oldest pubs is Curler's, dating back to the 17th century. Legend has it that King Charles II granted this establishment a seven-day license, and it was originally situated beside a pond used for the sport of curling.

The neighboring lanes and byways have thrived thanks to the commerce generated by Byres Road, now hosting a diverse range of small businesses, from tapas bars to second-hand record stores. Among these, Ashton Lane stands out as the most renowned, featuring bars, restaurants, and even a cinema.

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Byres Road on Map

Sight Name: Byres Road
Sight Location: Glasgow, Scotland (See walking tours in Glasgow)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Glasgow, Scotland

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