Glasgow By Rail: A Mum‑and‑Daughter Adventure

I have just got back from a little break in Glasgow with my daughter and it was such a lovely trip.

We travelled by rail direct from Stevenage to Glasgow and it was an excellent way to go with a child on my own. No airports, no security queues, just get on the train, find our seats, spread out the snacks and enjoy the journey. It felt relaxed, safe and really manageable.

We were heading up for my little girl’s Irish dance competition, but we decided to make the most of it and turn it into a 3‑night Glasgow city break.

Where we stayed

We stayed at the Premier Inn on George Square, which was the perfect location for us in Glasgow city centre.

From there we walked everywhere. For this trip that was exactly what I wanted: simple, central and easy. We could step outside and be in the middle of the city within minutes, which is ideal when you have a child with you and lots going on with competitions.

The breakfast was great too and was included with our stay. It meant we could fill up properly each morning before heading out for dancing, sightseeing or shopping, which made the days feel so much easier and better value as well.

Shopping in Glasgow

The shopping in Glasgow is incredible. There are so many shops, with every name you can think of and more, all close together in the city centre.

What I really liked was that it never felt too busy or overwhelming, the way central London can sometimes feel. The streets were lively but not stressful, so we could take our time, wander in and out of the shops and really enjoy it. We had the best time shopping together.

We particularly loved Lush Glasgow. The store is absolutely huge, spread over three floors, and there is even a café inside. My little girl thought it was amazing. With all the Halloween and Christmas bits and bobs already out, it felt really fun and magical, and we could have spent ages in there.

A wet and wild sightseeing day

We did have one wet and wild Scottish day, but we did not let it stop us.

That day we visited Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis. Even in the rain, both were really interesting and atmospheric. The cathedral is beautiful, and the Necropolis has amazing views and so much history. It felt like a proper adventure, hoods up and all, and showed us a different side to this Scottish city break.

Museums, cloisters and a bit of Harry Potter magic

We also explored some of Glasgow’s museums and the university area in the West End, which were real highlights of the trip.

At Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum we spent ages wandering around. The building itself is stunning, and there is such a mix of things to see that it works really well with children. We loved the Impressionists exhibition, with all the colour and light, and it was a nice way to introduce my daughter to some famous paintings without it feeling stuffy or overwhelming. You can dip in and out of different rooms and always find something eye‑catching.

Up at the university, we visited the museum at Glasgow University as well, which was excellent. There is a great variety of exhibits and lots to look at, and it felt really engaging for both of us.

The cloisters at Glasgow University are also absolutely beautiful and genuinely feel like stepping into a Harry Potter movie. My daughter thought it was magical wandering through the arches and corridors, and it is a lovely spot for photos too.

Kelvingrove Park in autumn

Right by the museum is Kelvingrove Park, which was beautiful at this time of year. Autumn colours, big open spaces and a lovely place to let kids run around after being inside.

It was a nice balance: a bit of culture, a bit of fresh air and lots of time just being together on our family break in Glasgow.

Why I would recommend Glasgow for families

Glasgow worked so well for this kind of trip:

• Direct rail from Stevenage made the journey easy on my own with a child
• A central hotel at George Square meant we could walk everywhere
• A good included breakfast so we could fuel up for the day
• Brilliant shopping in Glasgow city centre without the crowds feeling too much
• Fun, child‑friendly places like the huge Lush store
• Excellent museums, exhibitions and the “Harry Potter” cloisters in the West End
• Beautiful green spaces like Kelvingrove Park to explore
• A friendly, relaxed feel that put us both at ease

We went for Irish dancing and came home with competition memories, lots of shopping bags and a new favourite Scottish city.

If you are thinking about a UK city break with children, and like the idea of travelling by rail, a Glasgow family city break is definitely one to consider.