Top 10 Specialty Museums in Glasgow, Scotland

February 2, 2022 Darleen Reid

As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is famed for its culture, shopping and people. Spend your day exploring a wide range of fascinating free museums and galleries, enjoying the UK’s best shopping outside of London, and taking advantage of tips from friendly local people on the city’s hidden gems — then choose from 130+ weekly musical events for a special night out. Glasgow is also the perfect base for exploring more of Scotland, with great connections to the Highlands and the islands.
Restaurants in Glasgow

1. Glasgow Women's Library

23 Landressy Street, Glasgow G40 1BP Scotland +44 141 550 2267 [email protected] http://womenslibrary.org.uk/events/
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 28 reviews

Glasgow Women's Library

Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) is the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements, with a lending library, archive collections and innovative programme of public events and learning opportunities. The organisation has grown from a small grassroots project into the main hub for information by, for and about women in Scotland and it is visited and enjoyed by people from around the world and around the corner. Based in an awarding-winning building in Glasgow's East End, GWL is open to all and has a presence across Scotland through their National programme of events and activities. Glasgow Women's Library was a finalist for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2018. In the spring and summer months, GWL run their popular Women's Heritage Walks around Glasgow.

2. Fairfield Heritage

1048 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4XS Scotland +44 141 445 5866 http://www.fairfieldgovan.org.uk
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 56 reviews

Fairfield Heritage

Reviewed By brianmN6820JJ

Interested in Shipbuilding? Interested in history? Interested in social history? Interested in architecture? Interested in cartography? Then visit Fairfield Heritage Centre on Govan Road. This excellent museum is open Monday to Friday 1pm-4pm. Fantastic A listed building with interactive displays of the story of life in and around the Govan area. The story of the people who built these great ships that sailed from the Clyde all around the world. Our guide was excellent as were those at reception who retold their stories of what it was like growing up when Govan was booming. So much to take in that I will be back.

3. GVVT Bridgeton Bus Garage

76 Fordneuk Street Access via Broad Street entrance, Glasgow G40 3AH Scotland +44 141 554 0544 [email protected] http://www.gvvt.org
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

GVVT Bridgeton Bus Garage

The Trust owns Bridgeton Bus Garage. This was built for Glasgow Corporation Transport opening as a bus garage in 1965. It was closed by Greater Glasgow PTE in 1976 and was later used as a local authority internal transport depot. Whilst 1960s architecture is usually functional rather than decorative, the building deserves to be retained as a fine example of the building style of that period. The garage is now well established as a heritage centre for buses and commercial vehicles. There are over 100 buses, coaches, commercial vehicles and fire appliances in the collection. Vehicles are usually owned by individuals or small groups and range from hulks rescued from scrap yards and awaiting restoration to fully restored and active examples. The garage is open to the public on various dates in the year but at the moment this is not possible due to the Coronavirus restrictions. Our open days will return as soon as it is safe for us to do so.

4. The Tenement House

Tenement House 145 Buccleuch Street, Glasgow G3 6QN Scotland +44 141 333 0183 [email protected] http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Tenement-House/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 697 reviews

The Tenement House

** Currently closed due to Covid 19 crisis ** The Tenement House is a National Trust for Scotland property in Glasgow's City Centre. With 1892 original features it provides a rare glimpse into life in Glasgow in the early 20th century. The house, lived in by Miss Agnes Toward for over half a century is a unique opportunity to experience collections in their unchanged environment. See what it meant to be an 'independent woman' in the first half of the 20th century; experience how ordinary folk lived, and appreciate how many of the household amenities we now take for granted were considered luxuries less than a century ago. Authentic gas lighting has been installed to recreate the atmosphere of the house, which didn't have electric lighting until 1960. An exhibition on the ground floor makes the most of Miss Toward's extensive personal archive, providing a valuable time capsule for visitors today. Toilet facilities and a gift shop are available on the exhibition floor.

Reviewed By Medievalhistorylover

Looked after by the NTS, the House gives an insight into tenement dwellings in the early 1900's. Photos (without flash) can be taken; the guides are very friendly and knowledgeable. If walking to the property, the easiest (and quickest) route is from Sauchiehall Street and following the brown tourist attraction signs.

5. Govan Old Parish Church

866 Govan Road Near Govan subway stop, Glasgow G51 3DL Scotland +44 141 440 2466 [email protected] http://www.thegovanstones.org.uk
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 137 reviews

Govan Old Parish Church

Reviewed By Sandyd264 - Kincardine, Canada

This small church houses the Govan stones. They are Viking rune and early Celtic. The church itself is fantastic. The church is 4 minutes walk from Govan subway station. I would do this, then the Fairfield shipping museum (another 5 mins walk) too. Please, don’t miss this. It is a hidden gem in Glasgow. Definitely recommend

6. The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Riverside Museum 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow G3 8RS Scotland +44 141 287 2720 [email protected] http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum/
Excellent
66%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,436 reviews

The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Riverside Museum is Glasgow's award-winning transport museum. With over 3,000 objects on display there's everything from skateboards to locomotives, paintings to prams and cars to a Stormtrooper. Get hands on with our interactive displays. Walk through Glasgow streets and visit the shops, bar and subway. Climb aboard a train, tram or bus and get a real feel for old public transport. Discover Glasgow's rich shipbuilding history, explore the car and motorbike walls and help put out a fire with our interactive fire engine. There are over 90 large touch screens panels full of images, memories and films that tell the fascinating stories behind the objects. There really is something for all ages to enjoy at the Riverside Museum.

Reviewed By 425grace13

What a fabulous place and free lovely setting and wow so interesting old cars fab old buses wonderful cafe you can even use the Segways for a small amount great go visit

7. People's Palace and Winter Gardens

Glasgow Green, Glasgow G40 1AT Scotland +44 141 276 0788 [email protected] http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/peoples-palace/pages/default.aspx
Excellent
51%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,482 reviews

People's Palace and Winter Gardens

The People's Palace and Winter Gardens, set in historic Glasgow Green, the oldest public space in the city, tells the story of Glasgow and its people from 1750 to the end of the 20th century. Adjacent to the People's Palace is the extravagant and recently restored Doulton Fountain, unveiled in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.

Reviewed By Whitelavender

My second visit to what must have been worlds first purpose built social history museum. It's a homage to Glasgow itself. Exhibits on the social and political life of the city are here. Very sorry to find the conservatory (winter gardens) closed - for the foreseeable future according to staff. This feature surely attracts large numbers to the Palace in its own right so is key to the buildings sustainability I think. Somebody please kick off a campaign to raise the resources. Friendly staff, especially the Italian gent who served us coffee (thanks for the mince pies too) Fantastic location beside the Clyde and huge open spaces.

8. Provand's Lordship

3 Castle St., Glasgow G4 0RH Scotland +44 141 552 8819 http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/provands-lordship/Pages/default.aspx
Excellent
50%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 406 reviews

Provand's Lordship

Reviewed By P4339WFanthonyp - Brighton, United Kingdom

This was on our to do list, its full of real history, all the display give a real insight to people´s lives and hardships, the video displays are also very good. A nice cafe and gift shop finish off a very interesting visit

9. Glasgow Police Museum

30 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LG Scotland +44 141 552 1818 [email protected] http://www.policemuseum.org.uk
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 446 reviews

Glasgow Police Museum

The Glasgow Police Museum illustrates the history of the Glasgow Police 1779 - 1975, through artifacts, stories and images. Its International Room has uniforms and insignia from EVERY country in the World. MUSEUM HAS REOPENED AND READY TO WELCOME VISITORS -FREE ADMISSION - NO BOOKING REQUIRED.

Reviewed By 2Bundp74 - Southampton, United Kingdom

Wonderful little museum, really interesting exhibits on the history of the police in Glasgow plus there's a room full of world police uniforms , badges and little details that make the experience very unique. Also the 2 guys running it were really helpful and friendly, they were lovely to chat chat too and explaind in detail some of the storys in the Museum. It's a shame this one's over looked by alot of tourists but I would really recommend a visit plus it's still open during the covid restrictions so a good stop in Merchant City part of Glasgow.

10. Scottish Football Museum

Hampden Park Letherby Drive, Glasgow G42 9BA Scotland +44 141 616 6139 [email protected] http://www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 218 reviews

Scottish Football Museum

See more than 2500 exhibits in 14 galleries, walk amongst Scotland’s footballing legends in the Hall Of Fame and take the Stadium tour…. It’s who we are. The Hampden Experience will reveal the sights, sounds, and stories of the world's favourite game, in the country that took football to the world. Spend a day enjoying Scotland's football heritage, remembering the legends that inspire the champions of today. On the Stadium Tour you will see the Stadium as the players do on Matchday - visit the underground roadway, team changing rooms and have the speed of your shot electronically measured in the players warm up area. Walk down the tunnel, hear the famous Hampden Roar and then follow the footsteps of legends by climbing the stairs to the Cup Presentation Area. You can also relax in the Museum cafe and purchase gifts and souvenirs from the Hampden shop.

Reviewed By G1808ZVgrahamb

First time av been back at the national for few years tour and museum tour was fantastic just to make my trip special bumped into some old players a hadnt saw for a few years after retiring from football made the trip special having a catch up with old friends highly recomended tour guide

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