Situated on the north-west edge of the city centre, Woodlands is located within Glasgow's fashionable West End, east of Hillhead, south of Woodside, north of the Park District and Kelvingrove Park, and west of Charing Cross and Garnethill.

Woodlands has a substantial population of residents of Pakistani and Indian heritage, as well as a large number of students.

In 1790, William Gillespie constructed Glasgow's first and only water driven cotton mill, with bleach and print fields also located in the vicinity.

[5][6] 49 West Princes Street was the home of Marion Gilchrist, the victim in the famous Oscar Slater case.

[citation needed] Public transport includes Kelvinbridge and St George's Cross Subway stations, located respectively at the western and eastern extremes of the district, as well as numerous bus routes along Great Western and Woodlands Roads.