After visiting Tchai-Ovna in Glasgow’s Otago Lane, our blogger Gemma Brown continues exploring the best of life in the slow lane. This time she find another of the city’s independent cafes – and much, much more – tucked out of sight in a quiet corner of Finnieston.

Following the lane theme, there are a number of other lanes in Glasgow that are as special and unique as Otago Lane. Hidden Lane situated just off Argyle Street in Finnieston is full of creative and cultural organisations. Typical of most lanes in Glasgow the street is cobbled and the old brick buildings add a historic and distinguished feel that is hard to find in the always-changing city of Glasgow.

The lane has always had plenty to offer dating right back to Victorian times when it was a hot spot for various trades and industries, this still being the case Hidden Lane is home to over 60 creative organisations. The organisations in Hidden Lane range from tearooms to model makers, picture framers to yoga classes. (Not to mention it is home to Radio Magnetic, Inner Ear and is the Walking Heads Glasgow HQ.)

The Lane is most known for its tearoom, The Hidden Lane tearoom that serves up a wide range of hot beverages and homemade tasty delights  all made on the premises. Like Tchai-Ovna the Hidden Lane tearoom is usually busy and can be hard to get a table so avoid peak times to ensure you are not disappointed.

Unlike other lanes in Glasgow Hidden Lane has its own festival. The Hidden Lane festival,  held in June, gives the general public the chance to see and explore the creative works of the industries tucked out of sight from Argyle Street. With stalls and marquees as well as live music, alcohol and food this little festival is becoming a big event in the west end calendar of events. Artists that have played the festival include Nevada Base, How to Swim and a selection of DJ’s and producers from Glasgow. Since its birth five years ago the festival has been growing and gaining support from the local community which is great for the creative organisations in the lane.

If you are in the Finnieston area and want a good cup of tea or to buy some jewellery, art or sign up to a yoga class, then Hidden Lane is your ideal place to be.