Callendar House

About the museum

Callendar House stands in Callendar Park in Falkirk, on the line of the Roman Antonine Wall. Its oldest part is a medieval tower house, and over some 600 years the estate passed from the Callander family to the Livingstons, who played a prominent part in Scottish affairs, and later to the Forbes family. Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie are among the historical figures linked with the house.

In 1783 the Aberdeen businessman William Forbes bought the estate, and he and his descendants rebuilt and extended the house, giving it the French-château roofs and long frontage that it has today. The family kept it for almost 200 years. Falkirk Burgh Council bought the house and part of the parkland in 1963, and from 2011 a community trust ran it before it came back under Falkirk Council.

Today the house is Falkirk's main museum and visitor centre. The restored Georgian kitchen shows how food was prepared for a large household, and galleries in the house show changing exhibitions of art and local heritage. The building also houses Falkirk Archives in its oak-panelled Victorian library, a tearoom, a gift shop and rooms used for civil marriage ceremonies and events.

Highlights

• Working Georgian kitchen with costumed staff
• Changing exhibitions in the Park Gallery and the second-floor gallery
• Free entry to the house, exhibitions and play park
• Tearoom with afternoon tea in the Drawing Room
• Falkirk Archives in the Victorian library
• Park containing a section of the Antonine Wall

Permanent exhibition

• Georgian Kitchen – A restored working kitchen where staff in period dress prepare food and explain how a large household was run.

Operated by

Falkirk Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the house, the exhibitions, the Georgian kitchen and the play park is free, and so is parking. Afternoon tea in the Drawing Room is booked in advance and charged separately (from £22.95 per person; children's afternoon tea £12.00).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The house states that it is fully accessible for wheelchair users and can meet other access needs on request. At the time of research the lift was out of service for maintenance until further notice. Disabled parking spaces are in front of the house.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The house describes itself as a day out for the whole family. The Roman-themed play park in Callendar Park is free, and the Georgian kitchen, exhibitions and play park can all be enjoyed without charge. Creative sessions and holiday workshops for children are held in the house, and a children's afternoon tea is offered.

Getting there & parking

Postcode FK1 1YR (Callendar Road). Bike racks are by the house. Visitors arriving by train, bus or bike can claim a free guidebook through the Good Journey scheme.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The tearoom serves sandwiches, scones and cakes, with walk-ins welcome. Afternoon tea is served in the Drawing Room overlooking the park and should be booked in advance. A gift shop is on the way out.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

Rooms for hire include the Queens Room, the Study, the Education Suite, the Drawing Room (up to 40 people) and the Attic, with optional catering. Falkirk Council's registration service holds civil marriage ceremonies and civil partnerships in the house.

Plan your visit