The Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is on between 11-17 September and it is a great celebration of Glaswegian architecture and heritage. The programme is available here - all buildings, talks and tours are free to attend. The long list of venues might be a bit overwhelming first, so let me help you with a sample itinerary here. I was using public transport to get around during the day and the route is doable in a leisurely pace (including getting lost a few times on the streets of Glasgow).
Stop 1: Arlington Baths Club
Arlington Bath is a short walk away from St Georges Cross Subway. It's a private members club and one of the oldest ones in Europe - it was built in 1870.
The Turkish suite
I loved the tiles!
I had a full guided tour of the baths from the Victorian rib showers to the wet room, but this pretty (hot) Turkish suite was my favourite. I come from a country where bath culture is central to our heritage and you might have figured I have a thing for historic baths.
Address: 61 Arlington Street (Subway St Georges Cross)
Doors Open Day: Tours Sat/Sun 9.30am-4.00pm
Stop 2: Glasgow City Free Church
My next stop was a beautiful church building by Alexander (Greek) Thomson, the Glasgow City Free Church. The stunning interior is well worth checking out. Sadly the church is also on the World Monument Fund's list of the world's most endangered buildings.
Beautiful interior designed by Alexander (Greek) Thomson
Did you know that the #GDODF17 brochure is
also translated to Polish and Arabic?
Address: 265 St Vincent Street
Doors Open Day: Sat 10.00am-4.00pm
While there, why not stop for coffee and cake at Primal Roast, opposite the church.
Stop 3: Holmwood House
Holmwood House is another Alexander (Greek) Thomson building, it is was originally a family home designed for paper magnate James Couper and his wife. Today it is managed by the National Trust for Scotland who kindly let me visit as part of my Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival preview.
Ceiling goals
Can I move in please?
The stunning dining room
The place is truly stunning! If you have not yet been, I cannot recommend enough to visit. On a sunny day you can enjoy a walk at the grounds and you may spot the resident squirrels too. Don't forget to check out the nearby Snuff Mill Bridge on the way back to Cathcart Station.
Snuff Mill Bridge
Address: 61-63 Netherlee Road (ScotRail Cathcart)
Doors Open Day: Mon-Sun 12.00pm-5.00pm
Stop 4: The Lighthouse
I have previously visited The Lighthouse a few years ago and loved the building. Did you know it has one of the best panoramic views of Glasgow from the top of the tower?
View from The Lighthouse
Staircase to the tower
Continuing the Alexander (Greek) Thomas theme The Lighthouse has a current exhibition dedicated to the bicentenary of the Scottish architect's birth.
Address: 11 Mitchell Lane
Doors Open Day: Mon–Fri 10.30am–5pm. Sat 10.30am–5pm. Tours: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Sun 12pm–5pm, Tours: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
While there, why not stop for a quick lunch at Riverhill Coffee Bar at Gordon Street.
Stop 5: Theatre Royal
I must admit, my reason for visiting Theatre Royal was to take photos of their stunning staircase. It just looks amazing from every angle. The building has an interesting history. It was first designed by architect George Bell in 1867, but sadly the building was destroyed by fire in 1879. Next renowned theatre architect Charles Phipps redesigned it. The staircase on the photo below was an addition by Glasgow-based architects Page\Park in 2012.
The Theatre Royal staircase
Address: 282 Hope Street
Doors Open Day: Tour only. Sat 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am; 40 mins. Meeting Point: Theatre Royal Foyer. Booking essential.
All photos by The Edinburgh Ethusiast (C).
Acknowledgement: Thank you to the lovely people behind GDODF17 for organising me access to these stunning venues, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I gained no financial benefits from this promotion and the views and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and purely my own.
Acknowledgement: Thank you to the lovely people behind GDODF17 for organising me access to these stunning venues, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I gained no financial benefits from this promotion and the views and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and purely my own.
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