Glasgow: Day 2 – Cathedral, Necropolis, Willow Tea Rooms and Theatre Royal

Our original plan was to spend our first full day in Glasgow on the sightseeing bus. However, by the time we’d had breakfast and made it to the bus stop, there was a huge queue and we decided just to walk to the Cathedral, which was Stop 2 on the bus route anyway.

2014_0826Scotland004
Glasgow Cathedral
2014_0826Scotland010
Gates leading into the courtyard
2014_0826Scotland011
The Bridge of Sighs

The first thing we did was to explore the Necropolis. Opened in 1833, this huge graveyard on the top of a hill overlooking the city was inspired by the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, and was designed to provide a burial solution for the quickly growing population of Glasgow. It is reached via a “Bridge of Sighs” and it is stunning. My mam and I both loved it.

2014_0826Scotland029
Looking at the Cathedral from the Necropolis

2014_0826Scotland026

2014_0826Scotland014

2014_0826Scotland034

2014_0826Scotland042

Afterwards we paused to take a look around the Cathedral, including the lower level where St Mungo is supposed to be buried. By this time we were completely exhausted so we stopped for a cup of tea at the St Mungo Museum next door.

2014_0826Scotland048
Inside the Cathedral

On our way out Mam noticed an old-looking house called Provand’s Lordship across the road. We decided to go in, which proved a good decision. Entry to this house is free, and it is the oldest building in Glasgow, with a great deal of history.

2014_0826Scotland049
Provand’s Lordship

We walked back into town and went to Buchanan Street to visit the Willow Tea Rooms. These are a reconstruction of the original Willow Tea Rooms designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. They consist of the White Tea Room and the Chinese, or Blue, Room, where we were seated. Our tea was yummy but we had to go for a lie down afterwards!

2014_0826Scotland051
Willow Tea Rooms
2014_0826Scotland053
Inside the Chinese Room
2014_0826Scotland054
Inside the Chinese Room

2014_0826Scotland052

2014_0826Scotland055
Our yummy afternoon tea

In the evening we visited Glasgow’s Theatre Royal to see a play called April in Paris. We both enjoyed it – I wrote a review here. Afterwards we went for a drink before heading back to the hotel.

2014_0826Scotland058
Theatre Royal