Things to do in Glasgow – ten historic attractions in Glasgow
Explore Glasgow’s trading, maritime, artistic and medieval heritage, with our guide to ten historic attractions in the city.
1: Burrell Collection
A major collection of more than 8,000 artworks – collected by Victorian shipping magnate Sir William Burrell. The collection includes sculptures, antiques and paintings by artists including Rodin, Degas and Cezanne.
Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G43 1AT; tel: 0141 287 0047; website.
2: Glasgow Cathedral
A medieval cathedral (pictured) built in the twelfth century and completed in the fifteenth century. Visitors can see Victorian stained glass, learn about the cathedral’s history and visit the chapel with tomb of St Mungo.
Cathedral Square, Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0QZ; tel: 0141 552 6891; website.
3: Glasgow Necropolis
A Victorian garden cemetery which is the last resting place of around 50,000 Glaswegians. The site offers panaromic views over the city and among the splendid graves are monuments to Charles Tennant, the Blackie publishing family, William Motherwell and John Henry Alexander.
70 Cathedral Square, Glasgow G4 0UZ; tel: 0141 287 3961; website.
4: Glasgow School of Art
The home of one of the country’s most prestigious art schools (pictured) – and a building considered by many to be the finest by architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Visitors on the guided tours can see Mackintosh’s rooms and interiors as well as the two-storey library.
167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow 63 6RQ; tel: 0141 353 4500; website.
5: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Famed as one of Europe’s great civic art collections, and one of the city’s most popular visitor attractions. The collections include natural history, arms and armour and art from around the world, and the gallery holds regular exhibitions.
Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG; tel: 0141 276 9599; website.
6: Merchant City
A district in Glasgow City Centre which was once home to the city’s cotton, tobacco and sugar industries. Among the highlights are Trades Hall, the headquarters of the Glasgow trade Guilds, and the landmark Tolbooth Steeple.
Merchant City is located east of Glasgow City Chambers; website.
7: Provand’s Lordship
Glasgow oldest house (pictured), the Provand’s Lordship was built in 1471 as part of a hospital, and is now a historic house museum showing what life was like in eighteenth-century Glasgow. The adjoining St Nicholas Garden is a medicinal herb garden.
3 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0RB; tel: 0141 552 8819; website.
8: Tall Ship at Riverside
A steel-hulled three-masted barque which survives as one of only five Clyde-built ships left in the world. The ship now acts as a museum showcasing the Clyde’s maritime history, and regular events are held.
150 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow G3 8RS; tel: 0141 357 3699; website.
9: The People’s Palace
A museum and glasshouse opened in 1898 which tells the story of the city and its people. Explore historic artefacts, paintings, photographs, film and interactive computer displays which together build a picture of life in bygone Glasgow.
Glasgow Green, Glasgow G40 1AT; tel: 0141 276 0788; website.
10: The Tenement
A faithfully-restored four-room house which was the home of Miss Agnes Toward for half a century. The restored tenement shows what tenement life was like for thousands of Glaswegians, with authentic glass lighting and period furnishings.
145 Buccleuch Street, Glasgow G3 6QN; tel: 0844 493 2197; website.