World of Glass

About the museum

The World of Glass stands on the site of Tank House No. 9, built in 1887, where William Windle Pilkington perfected continuous glass-making. St Helens became a world leader in glass production, and the museum tells that story together with the wider history of the town.

The visitor attraction opened in 2000 and is run by the World of Glass charity and its trading company. Its galleries show an internationally important collection that follows about 3,000 years of glass history, a recreated Victorian St Helens from the Industrial Revolution with recorded memories of local people, and the Holford Collection of contemporary glass art. The Now Gallery opened in 2023 and shows how glass is used today, with interactive displays for children and news from the Glass Futures project.

Visitors can watch live glass-blowing displays, and the site also offers hot glass experiences for individuals and groups. A gallery for changing exhibitions, a cafe, venue hire spaces and a canal-side garden complete the site, which also houses St Helens Library.

Highlights

• Internationally important glass collection spanning about 3,000 years
• Recreated Victorian St Helens in the Past Gallery
• Holford Collection of contemporary glass
• Live glass-blowing displays
• Free entry to the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Glass Gallery – An internationally important glass collection tracing the history of glass over about 3,000 years, shown in a small room where objects can be seen up close.
• Now Gallery – Shows how glass is used in everyday life, with interactive play stations for children and news on current work at Glass Futures and in St Helens.
• Past Gallery – Recreates Victorian St Helens during the Industrial Revolution and plays recorded stories of people who lived there.

Founded

2000

Operated by

World of Glass charity

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the Tank House and museum is free and individuals and families do not need to book. Live glass-blowing displays are charged separately.

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

The building has level access, with ramps and level routes to the exhibition spaces, and lifts between floors. Wheelchairs can be borrowed from reception. Toilets, including accessible toilets, are on both floors, and seating is provided throughout the visitor areas. There are five accessible spaces in the car park close to the entrance. Trained assistance animals are welcome; visitors are asked to contact the team beforehand.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The Now Gallery has interactive play stations for children, and visitors can use periscopes, microscopes and lenses. Seasonal workshops such as bauble blowing or Halloween events run in the school holidays. Baby changing is on the ground floor.

Getting there & parking

The Mercure St Helens Hotel is about a 10-minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The front-of-house cafe, which serves coffee from Crosby Coffee, seats 120 and also caters for events. A shop is mentioned on the website.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Three hireable spaces (a gallery, a flexible suite and an auditorium) as well as Tank House No. 9 and a canal-side garden; the cafe can cater for events and conferences. Capacities and prices are not published.

Plan your visit