The Railway Arch Pocket Garden (Govanhill)

Beneath a sooty Victorian railway arch in Govanhill, local residents have created something remarkable—a pocket garden that transforms a once-neglected space into a vibrant community asset. Started in 2016 by the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, this narrow strip of land features raised beds bursting with vegetables, herbs, and pollinator-friendly flowers. Colorful murals (all original community art) adorn the arch's brick walls, while repurposed pallets serve as vertical planters and seating. The space hosts weekend gardening sessions where neighbors from Glasgow's most diverse neighborhood share growing tips and cultural food traditions. Despite the trains rumbling overhead every few minutes, there's something deeply peaceful about this reclaimed space—a testament to community resilience and creativity. The garden demonstrates how even the most unpromising urban fragments can become places of connection and growth. Best visited on Saturday mornings when volunteers tend the plants and freshly brewed tea is often on offer.