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Museums & art galleries
Glasgow is a city alive with culture. The city has a fascinating history and an equally exciting present, all of which can be explored in the city’s art galleries and museums, many of which have no admission fee! There are few cities which can offer such a vast array of museums and galleries, and even fewer who offer them for free. The following are just some of the free museums and galleries in Glasgow.
The highlight of Glasgow’s museums is without doubt the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Situated in Kelvingrove Park, in the west end of the city, the building is one of the finest pieces of architecture in the city. Build in the Spanish baroque style it stands out across the west end skyline. Originally opened in 1901, and later refurbished in 2006, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the most visited attraction in Scotland, testament to its stature. The most famous exhibit on show is Salvador Dali’s ‘The Christ of Saint John of the Cross’ which, in 2006, was voted as Scotland’s favourite painting. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum really is a must see for any visitor to Glasgow.
Directly opposite the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the Kelvin Hall, which is an international indoor athletics arena which also houses the Transport Museum. Opened in 1927 as an exhibition centre, it became the Glasgow Transport Museum in 1987. Since then it has grown in popularity and attracts over half a million visitors each year. The museum is situated over two floors. The lower floor houses vintage cars, trams, locomotives, caravans and also has a recreation of a 1950’s Glasgow street. The upper floor is home to bicycles, motorbikes and a collection of over 250 model ships. The Glasgow Transport Museum is a firm favourite with families and transport enthusiasts.
Across the city, located at Glasgow Green, is the People’s Palace. Opened in 1898 it was literally opened as a palace for the people. The People’s Palace was built as somewhere for the people of the east end to go to escape the hardship of their lives. It has now been aptly transformed into a museum which charts the history of the people of Glasgow from 1750 to the modern day. Attached to the rear of the building is a conservatory which holds the stunning winter gardens. For those interested in the fascinating history of Glasgow and its people, there is no better museum to be found.
If you prefer contemporary art then look no further than the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, or the GoMA as it is affectionately known. Based at Royal Exchange Square, in the centre of the city, the GoMA is the second most visited contemporary art gallery outside London. Originally built in 1778 as the home of a Tobacco Lord, the building changed hands many times before opening in 1996 as the GoMA. More than a decade, and millions of visitors, later the GoMA is still going strong. The GoMA exhibits work by the likes of Andy Warhol and Sabastiao Salgado. The building is also famous for the statue of the Duke of Wellington outside its front steps. The statue wears a jauntily placed traffic cone upon its head, an image which is now synonymous with the city and its light hearted nature.
If you prefer your art to be a little more historical then just outside the city centre, located in Pollok Park, is the world renowned Burrell Collection. The collection was donated to the city in 1944 by Sir William Burrell. He had specified that the collection be kept outside of the city centre to reduce damage from air pollution. No suitable venue was found until 1967 when Pollok Park was donated to the city. Within the park a customised exhibition building was erected and the museum was finally opened in 1983. With over 9,000 works of art on show, the Burrell is one of the finest personal collections ever amassed. In 2005 the Burrell was named as the second best post war building in Scotland. A must see for any art enthusiast.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street
Glasgow
G3 8AG
Phone 0141 276 9599
Glasgow Museum of Transport
1 Bunhouse Road
Glasgow,
G3 8DP
Phone: 0141 287 2720
People's Palace And Winter Gardens
Glasgow Green
Glasgow,
G40 1AT
Phone: 0141 271 2962
Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
Royal Exchange Square
Glasgow,
G1 3AH
Phone: 0141 287 3050
The Burrell Collection
Pollok Country Park
2060 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow, G43 1AT
Phone: 0141 287 2550
Click below to see more things to do in Glasgow:
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