Pollokshields.com

Pollokshields

One of Britain's first garden suburbs, a short train ride south of Central Station. Victorian villas, red and blond sandstone tenements, the Burrell Collection on the doorstep, and some of the best Pakistani cooking in Scotland.

  • WhereSouthside of Glasgow, postcode G41
  • Getting hereTrains from Glasgow Central to Pollokshields East, Pollokshields West and Maxwell Park
  • FoundedBuilding began in 1851 on Maxwell of Pollok land
  • ProtectedConservation area since 1973
  • Don't missThe Burrell Collection, free entry
A corner of sandstone tenements with shops on the ground floor on Albert Drive
Albert Drive. Photo: JThomas, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Sherbrooke Castle Hotel, a red sandstone baronial mansion with a tower
Sherbrooke Avenue. Photo: Kalejade, CC0
Highland cattle in a field in Pollok Country Park
The Pollok Fold, Pollok Country Park. Photo: Dodoeggs, CC BY-SA 4.0

Two halves, one neighbourhood

Shields Road splits Pollokshields in two. West of it, big villas sit in gardens along curving, tree-lined avenues. East of it, three-storey sandstone tenements line a tight grid of busy streets, with grocers, sweet shops and restaurants along Albert Drive.

The two were separate burghs until Glasgow absorbed them in 1891. Today the West is quiet and leafy, and the East is where you go to eat, shop and see the city's most colourful tiled closes. Both are worth a day.

If you have one day

  1. Breakfast on Forth Street

    Paye, paratha and chai at Desi Dhaba Chaiwala. See Eat and drink.

  2. The Burrell Collection

    Free, world-class and set in Pollok Country Park. Allow two to three hours, then look for the Highland cattle in the fields. See See and do.

  3. A villa walk

    Sherbrooke Avenue, Nithsdale Road and the Greek Thomson houses. See Heritage walks.

  4. Tramway and the Hidden Gardens

    Contemporary art in a former tram depot, with a walled garden behind it. The gardens close early in winter.

  5. Dinner on Albert Drive

    Karahi at Ambala or biryani at Pakistani Street Food, then a pint at MJ Heraghty's on Pollokshaws Road.

Opening times and prices on this site were gathered in October 2026, mostly from venues' own websites and public map listings. Things change, so confirm with the venue before you travel.