Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Free museum in a red sandstone building with 22 galleries of art, natural history and Scottish history, including Dalí's Christ of St John of the Cross.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Glasgow's civic collections began with the City Industrial Museum, which opened in 1870 in Kelvingrove House, while the city's paintings were kept in the McLellan Galleries. Profits from the 1888 International Exhibition, held in Kelvingrove Park, helped to pay for a much larger home for both collections.
The new building was designed by John W. Simpson and E. J. Milner Allen in a Spanish Baroque style, with a red sandstone exterior and a pale sandstone interior. It served as the art palace of the 1901 International Exhibition and opened fully to the public as a museum in 1902. The pipe organ in the Centre Hall was built for the 1901 exhibition and was later bought for the building.
Kelvingrove closed for a three-year refurbishment and was reopened by Queen Elizabeth II on 11 July 2006. Its collections now cover fine and decorative art, natural history, Ancient Egypt, arms and armour, and the history of Glasgow and Scotland, displayed in 22 galleries. Conservation work began in September 2025 and some areas are scaffolded, but the museum stays open.
Highlights
- Salvador Dalí's Christ of St John of the Cross
- Sir Roger the elephant in the natural history displays
- Spitfire LA198 hanging in the West Court
- Free daily recitals on the 1901 Lewis and Co organ
- Paintings by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists
- Egyptian, arms and armour, and Glasgow history galleries
Permanent exhibitions
- Salvador Dalí's Christ of St John of the Cross – Dalí's famous painting of the crucifixion, shown on the ground floor with an enhanced display.
- Glasgow: City of Empire – A display about the legacies of colonialism and how they shaped the city of Glasgow.
- Spitfire LA198 – A Second World War fighter aircraft suspended in the West Court above the object displays.
- Founded
- 1901
- Operated by
- Glasgow Life (Glasgow Museums)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,219,831 (2025)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free entry. Donations are welcome at the museum or online.
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
Wheelchair and pushchair access to all public areas is by lift, and accessible toilets are on all floors. A hearing loop is available in the building. Floor plans can be provided in Braille and large print on request. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Ten Blue Badge bays are in the car park, and Blue Badge holders park free with no time limit. Access guides are available on AccessAble and Euan's Guide.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Regular family sessions include Mini Museum Explorers on Fridays and Discover on Saturdays, where children and adults make, create and handle objects. Free organ recitals take place daily. Pushchairs can use the lifts but cannot be left in the cloakroom. Baby changing and feeding facilities are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Kelvinhall subway station
Kelvinhall subway station is about ½ mile away. Partick, Charing Cross and Exhibition Centre railway stations are about 1 mile away. Buses stop on Argyle Street (First Bus 2, 3 and 77, McGill's 17, and City Sightseeing buses).
By car
Paid parking
The car park has 58 spaces, including 10 Blue Badge bays, 2 electric vehicle charging bays and 1 motorbike bay. The west side is closed during the restoration works, the car park is for cars only and coaches use the east side bays. Charges: up to 1 hour £3, 1 to 2 hours £5, 2 to 3 hours £7.50, 3 to 10 hours £10; overnight (6pm to 8am) £3; maximum stay 10 hours. Pay with coins or by the RingGo app. An alternative car park is on Bunhouse Road next to Kelvin Hall, which is likely to be busy.
- Accessible parking
Short-stay cycle shelters are near Kelvin Hall and Voi hire bikes are available around the city.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
The KG Café on the lower level has table service, a licence and conservatory seating overlooking the park. The KG Coffee Shop on the upper ground floor in the main hall has counter service. The cloakroom costs £2 (cash only) and takes coats and small items; prams, buggies and bulky items are not accepted. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 600 guests.
Spaces include the Centre Hall (up to 600 guests standing or 450 at a banquet), the East Court (private dining for up to 30) and the KG Café (up to 150 standing). Hire is available in the evenings from 5pm, seven days a week.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | 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 | Tours and self-guided trails explore the collection. A free digital guide is available through the Bloomberg Connects app, including an audio tour narrated by Sir Billy Connolly. Translated visitor guides are offered in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian and Spanish. |
