Glasshouse

On Saturday my flatmate Gav and I decided to go to the Farmers market to buy some tasty grub as I was thinking of having a BBQ. On our way there we decided to drop by the Glasshouse in Queens Park which I've been meaning to visit for nearly two years.

I am so glad we did as its a brilliant wee place. Fenced off from the rest of the park by some smart black and gold railings the tall slim glass structure sits within its own wee garden beautifully maintained with lots of miniature trees and flowers.

Inside the building is larger than I thought - consisting of one main corridor with 12 arms coming off to either side. These arms hold the bulk of the collection of plants, animals, birds and insects. Sadly a few of these arms were closed at the weekend while some refurbishment is carried out. But when it fully reopens there will be a brand new cafe/ bistro selling hot food and it will be a really nice place to go sit, read and have a bit of lunch. (We overheard a couple discussing a function they were attending that night. It would be a great place to hire out for special occasions.) There was also a grand wee gift shop where we bought some polystyrene birds and a book on the history of Queens Park. The book is excellent and we'll post about it separately, and its only £2.99) But on to the main feast, the plants and creatures that inhabit the place.

No botanic garden is complete without a big pond full of fish and lots shiny coppers.

Main corridor looking back towards the entrance

A plant

The main course - the park regularly feeds small children to the animals. Well maybe not - most of the animals appear to live on a diet of locusts and nearly every case had a few of these insectoid snacks wobbling about awaiting being munched. Kids seem to love that for some reason - they particularly enjoyed the cases where the locusts had had their heads bitten off. Kids are cruel.

The Chameleon - this wee chap was very cool. He moved so incredibly slowly and preciously like an old man getting out the bath.

The Peach faced lovebird was so brightly coloured he looked like a cartoon. He also looked like he had some kind of compulsive movement disorder as he just couldn't stop jigging, wiggling dancing and pruning.

I also liked the chinchillas - I preferred the Chipmunks who seem to suffer from the same constant movement disorder to the lovebird - but none of my photos came out.

The big daddy - not the most dangerous creature in the place but definitely the biggest and probably the most frightening - (if you don't count the spiders that is) He sat on the branch giving each visitor a "What the hell do you think you are looking at?" stare.

We got so engrossed in playing spot the animal - (bit like Wheres Wally? but in cages and consisting of hunting frogs, spiders and snakes) that we didn't notice the time and we ended up missing the farmers market, but it was worth it.

Glasshouse opening times: Sat - Thurs 10am - 4pm/ Fri 10am - 3pm
Shop info
Queens Park info and directions
Historical photos of the glasshouse