Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
decorations echoing Celtic manuscript illuminations. You wouldn't have wanted to be the
guest that spilled a glass of red on this carpet.
PARK
Botanic Gardens
(730 Great Western Rd; 7am-dusk, glasshouse 10am-6pm summer, to 4.15pm winter)
A marvellous thing about walking into these beautiful gardens is the way the noise of
Great Western Rd suddenly recedes into the background. Amazingly, the lush grounds
don't seem that popular with locals (except on sunny weekends) and away from the en-
trance you may just about have the place to yourself. The wooded gardens follow the ri-
verbank of the River Kelvin and there are plenty of tropical species to discover.
Kibble
Palace
, an impressive Victorian iron and glass structure dating from 1873, is one of the
largest glasshouses in Britain; check out the herb garden, too, with its medicinal species.
The gorgeous hilly grounds make the perfect place for a picnic lunch. There are also or-
ganised walks and concerts in summer - have a look at the noticeboard near the entrance
to see what's on.
GEOLOGICAL SITE
Fossil Grove
(Victoria Park, Dumbarton Rd; 10am-4pm Apr-Sep)
With sections of 350-million-year-
old fossilised trees lying around just as they were found, Fossil Grove is an intriguing site.
To get here, take bus 44 from the city centre to Victoria Park.
VISITING THE BURRELL COLLECTION
Duration: Two hours
The Burrell collection is of a manageable size, but the surrounding parkland is so lovely, you should come
equipped for strolling and, if it's a fine day, bring a picnic. In the museum itself, start in the luminous main court-
yard, which is dotted with Rodin bronzes, including an 1880 version of
The Thinker
, the fabulous
Eve After the
Fall
and
The Age of Bronze
. Next, pass through the ornate portal; this 16th-century work was originally part of
Hornby Castle in Yorkshire and is appropriate preparation for the eclectic nature of the collection.
As you pass through the portal, you are thrown back millennia in time to ancient Egypt. Admire the fine
carvings and the delicate faience shawabtiu - mummylike figures that accompanied the deceased to the afterlife.
Attic black- and red-figure vases are next; continuing along the windows you jump forward via Chinese porcelain
to religious sculpture; look for the noteworthy
Lamentation over the Crucified Christ
, an early-16th-century Ger-
man work by that most versatile and prolific of artists, Anonymous.
