Burrell Collection
Free museum in Pollok Country Park showing Sir William Burrell's gift of over 9,000 objects, from medieval stained glass and tapestries to Degas.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Sir William Burrell and his wife Constance gave their art collection to the city of Glasgow in 1944, on condition that it would be kept in a separate building of its own. After a long search, the Pollok estate was transferred to the city in 1967 and became the site. An architectural competition in 1970 was won by Barry Gasson, John Meunier and Brit Andresen, building began in 1978, and Queen Elizabeth II opened the museum on 21 October 1983. The building was given A-listed status in 2013.
The museum closed in 2016 for a refurbishment costing £68.25 million and reopened on 29 March 2022, with King Charles III marking the reopening in October that year. In 2023 it was named Art Fund Museum of the Year.
The collection holds more than 9,000 objects, including over 700 stained glass panels, more than 200 tapestries and carpets, and over 20 works by Degas. Displays are arranged across galleries that explore ancient sculpture, colour, glass and the work of makers, and a free digital guide is available.
Highlights
- More than 700 stained glass panels
- Over 200 tapestries and carpets
- More than 20 works by Degas, and sculpture by Rodin
- Ancient sculpture in the North Gallery
- Makers Galleries showing historical and contemporary craft
- Setting in Pollok Country Park
Permanent exhibitions
- North Gallery – Shows how ancient civilisations created sculpture.
- South Galleries – Explores the properties and uses of glass.
- Makers Galleries – Presents the work of historical and contemporary craftspeople.
- Founded
- 1983
- Operated by
- Glasgow Life (Glasgow Museums)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 563,446 (2025)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free entry.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free, level access leads from the car park to the new main entrance, and a central hub with lifts and stairs serves all three floors. There are two Changing Places toilets and nine other accessible toilets. A hearing loop is available (instructions at reception), and manual wheelchairs can be borrowed from reception on a first come, first served basis. A quiet room is available, and digital displays offer British Sign Language, captions and 10 languages. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside. A drop-off point is at the Heritage entrance during opening hours. Nineteen Blue Badge bays are free of charge.
Kids & families
- Baby changing facilities
The museum has a baby feeding space, baby changing and indoor picnic areas, and sells pocket-money items in the shop. Pollok Country Park around the museum is suggested as a family day out.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pollokshaws West station
From Glasgow Central, trains take about 10 minutes to Pollokshaws West (under 5 minutes' walk to the park entrance) or Shawlands (about 10 minutes' walk). Buses take about 20 minutes from the city centre: routes 57 and 57A stop on Pollokshaws Road, route 3 at Shawholm Crescent, and routes 34 and 34A near Haggswood Avenue. A free electric shuttle bus runs daily from 10:00 to 18:15, every 20 to 30 minutes, between the park entrance, the Burrell and Pollok House, with space for one wheelchair.
By car
Paid parking
Parking charges apply daily from 10:00 to 18:00: £1.50 per hour for 1 to 3 hours, £7 for up to 4 hours and £12 for 5 to 8 hours. Pay by cash (20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins, no change) or card at the machines, or with the RingGo app. Spaces are not guaranteed. Blue Badge holders park free in the 19 marked bays.
- Accessible parking
By car, leave the M77 at junction 2 and join Pollokshaws Road. Cars can no longer cross the middle of the park: follow Pollok Avenue and take the signposted first right turn, and avoid Knowehead Avenue. National Cycle Network routes 7 and 75 pass through the park; covered cycle racks are provided and Voi hire bikes can be used.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
The main restaurant has an outdoor terrace and is open 10:00 to 16:00 (11:00 to 16:00 on Fridays and Sundays), with last orders at 15:15 and sandwiches and cakes afterwards; two coffee stops are also in the building. The shop sells products, many exclusive to the Burrell, including pocket-money items. Free Wi-Fi is available. Five indoor picnic areas can be used by visitors who bring their own food and drink. A baby feeding space, water fountains and a medication fridge (on request) are provided.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 300 guests.
The Courtyard holds up to 300 guests at a reception or 120 at a banquet, the restaurant 120 at a banquet, and two meeting rooms (Conference room and Boardroom) are available during opening hours. Evening hire is available from 5pm, seven days a week.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Photography | Hand-held photography and filming for personal, non-commercial use is allowed; selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, gimbals and lighting are not. Sketching with graphite and coloured pencils is allowed. |
| Good to know | A free digital guide is available through the Bloomberg Connects app. Guided tours for large groups can be arranged. |
