Enjoy a Glasgow Staycation This Summer

One of the main reasons we choose to go on holiday is to relax, yet travelling to another part of the UK or an overseas country is typically very stressful. We tend to forget this year on year, because we’re so fixated on being somewhere different or tracking down the sun. But as soon as we start preparing to go away, we get all worked up and start exclaiming our woes—“I’ve got too much to do”, “Why have my summer clothes all mysteriously shrunk since last summer??”, “Where’s the adaptor?”, “I just want to sit down and watch Poldark with a glass of Châteuaneuf-du-Pape and some Colin the Caterpillar sugary delights from M&S”. It’s always the same, but we continue to put ourselves through the stressful rigmarole of squeezing as many liquid items as possible into a tiny clear bag and voluntarily walking shoe-less through a giant metal detecter.

Well, no more. We urge you should enjoy a staycation in Glasgow this summer and actually take the time to relax. Do nothing. Tackle those home improvements that are driving you mad. Go out for coffee with your favourite book. Meet friends for lunch. Go out for family meals, or arrange dinner dates with your other half. Take a class… in something. Experiment with your cooking and baking. Transform your garden into a summer paradise. Visit Glasgow’s numerous art galleries and museums that you walk past every day, thinking: “I should go in there”. We spend so much time dreaming of being anywhere but here that we end up missing all of the great things on our doorstep. What things, you ask?

Glasgow Mela – Kelvingrove Park, Sunday 2nd July

A colourful, vibrant, multicultural annual festival in the West End, with three stages of fantastic music, dance and performance, incredible food from around the world, a dazzling world bazaar of gifts and clothes, and a host of other fun, friendly activities. This year, Glasgow Mela welcomes the ancient, mystical and magical performance of Circus Raj; the upbeat tunes of Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band; samba inspired tunes and Brazilian beats from the dynamic, all-female Glasgow drumming band Sheboom; and the magical repertoire of Caravan Raj. A fabulous festival that gets better every year.

TRNSMT – Glasgow Green, 7th-9th July

Brought to you by the talented team behind T in the Park (which is having a wee break this year), TRNSMT brings a weekend of live music to Glasgow Green. A stellar lineup has been arranged, including Radiohead, Kasabian, Biffy Clyro, London Grammar, Two Door Cinema Club, George Ezra, Belle and Sebastian, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The 1975, & many more.

Merchant City Festival – Various locations, 22nd-30th July

Showcasing some of the best Scottish and international art and entertainment over nine days, The Merchant City Festival boasts a jam-packed programme of street performance, visual art, theatre, dance, live music, film, comedy, food & drink, fashion & design, heritage walks and talks, markets and plenty of fun activities for children and familes. A great cultural centrepiece of your Glasgow summer staycation.

Jurassic Kingdom in the Botanics – Botanic Gardens, 23rd August-3rd September

For anyone who’s been missing Glasgow University’s former T-Rex resident, you’re in for a treat. A fascinating and educational day out for anyone of any age, dinosaurs are brought to life this summer in the West End, with over 30 life-sized animatronic installations casually assuming pride of place throughout the Botanic Gardens. With roaring side effects and dinosaur excavation activities to boot, this is the UK’s first outdoor experience of its kind and will make an very interesting and slightly terrifying Sunday afternoon stroll through the park!

Hypermarket – SWG3, recurring monthly

In collaboration with Trakke Bags, SWG3 presents a curated market of work by a host of artists, designers and makers, as well as a pop-up dining experience. Held each month in the Galvanisers Yard and outdoor space , the next Hypermarket will take place between 30th June – 2nd July. Visitors can also check out the incredible graffiti art produced at the recent Yardworks Festival.

Clyde Cruises – Glasgow, daily

Doon the watter

Explore and rediscover the beautiful scenery along Glasgow’s River Clyde, past the Titan Crane and shipyards, ‘doon the watter’ to the historical Dumbarton Rock. It’s a great way to gain a new perspective and appreciation of the city’s Industrial history and changing riverside landscape.

Prosecco Afternoon Tea

For something a little more fancy, jump aboard the Clyde Clipper at the Riverside Museum and sail along the banks of the river, as you enjoy your Prosecco and delicious afternoon tea from the top deck. An extra special treat for a sunny day during your Glasgow staycation this summer.

Timetables and booking forms available here.

Wakeboarding – Port Dundas, daily

Who says you have to be in a hot country to partake in extreme water sports? Quite a lot of people, actually, but not us. Be brave this summer and head over the Glasgow Wake Park to experience one of the fastest growing watersports, wakeboarding. A bit like snowboarding or skateboarding, but on water, it’s surprisingly easy to learn, even if your coordination and balance is on the wrong side of impressive. The amazing coaches will have to performing tricks in no time at all, and you’ll feel like a very cool person, indeed. Top-notch fun and a rather unusual way to experience an inner-city waterway in the middle of Scotland.

We wish you a fantastic summer in our lovely city or wherever your adventures might take you!

For sales and lettings in Glasgow and beyond, contact our friendly Vanilla Square team. Whether selling or letting property, you will always be liaising with one of our business partners, which makes our service that much more responsible and approachable. When you instruct us, your property will reach a wider audience as we are one of the few agents who are present on all the major property portals to offer sellers and landlords maximum exposure. If you’re looking to buy, sell, rent or lease your property, or you’re simply considering the idea, contact us by calling 0141 229 0210 or pop into our new office at 711 Great Western Road. One of our partners will be delighted to help and provide you with impartial, expert advice.