The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses a fascinating world of creativity and history, where the imaginative ideas of global artists are put to canvas and carved from marble. At this prestigious art gallery and museum, you can expect to see several unique exhibitions showing the masterful talents of locally and internationally significant artists. What more could you ask for from an attraction?
The Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1901 and quickly became a well-visited museum by locals and foreigners. Its 22 galleries blend human history with decorated art movements, granting a view into the annals of history and the minds of great artists. Kelvingrove welcomes families, is perfect for all ages, and is one of Glasgow’s most popular free attractions — a must-include for a day out in the city.
We’ll be covering the fantastic attractions within Kelvingrove Art Gallery, including the artwork of French Impressionists, designs by the renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and a real Spitfire that hangs above the Life Gallery. Read on to discover all the details you need to know to have a great trip at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Important Details to Know
Before learning about the many art movements this art gallery and museum is home to, ensure you catch yourself up to speed about Kelvingrove’s accessibility options, when they’re open, and how you can get there!
Kelvingrove Art Gallery Glasgow Accessibility
While Kelvingrove is housed in a historic building, it has many accessibility options.
- The Art Gallery and Museum are wheelchair accessible on all public floors, with the lift offering accessibility between floors.
- There are toilets on all floors of the building.
- Hearing loops are available at Kelvingrove, with further options to access a Sign Language Video Library.
- Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at the Kelvingrove Museum.
A floor plan of Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum is available online. These documents have options to be requested in large print or Braille.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery Opening Times
Kelvingrove is open throughout the week. From Monday to Thursday and Saturday, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum opening times are 10:00 – 17:00. On Fridays and Sundays, the opening times change to 11:00 – 17:00 instead.
For up-to-date opening times and unexpected closures, check the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum website at the Glasgow Life website for more details.
Is Kelvingrove Art Gallery Free to Enter?
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is free to enter. No booking is required.
How to Get There
Nestled in Glasgow’s heart, it’s quite easy to reach this prestigious museum. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is on Argyle Street in Glasgow — here’s how to get here:
Car
Kelvingrove is only a 6-minute drive from Glasgow’s city centre. From the M8 passing through Glasgow, turn into Bath Street and continue onto Berkley Street. Navigate to Fitzroy Place via Claremont Street until you reach Kelvin Way. Drive towards Kelvingrove Park until you see the signs indicating Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on the left.
Parking at Kelvingrove Art Gallery is limited, but car park spaces are specifically reserved for blue badge holders. If you’re planning to use the Kelvingrove Art Gallery parking, ensure you know other locations to park at within Glasgow city if you’re unable to get a space.
Bus
There is a bus stop on Argyle Street in front of Kelvingrove, with regular bus services to the stop. The City Sightseeing Buses are a popular option for tourists who stop by the attraction regularly. There are also public transport buses that make stops at Kelvingrove, including First Bus & McGill’s
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Attractions
Once you’ve reached the Art Gallery, a world of fine art collections, expression galleries, and natural history await within Kelvingrove. If your visit has a time restriction or you want to experience the most popular attractions, make sure to check out these during your time here:
Explore Kelvingrove’s Rotating Art Exhibitions
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery paintings feature several beloved local and international artists. Famous local pieces like Alasdair Gray’s “Cowcaddens”, which depicts Glasgow in beautiful oil paints, Salvador Dali’s “Christ of St John of the Cross”, and even “Old Willie – a Village Worthy” by James Guthrie in the Glasgow Boys gallery are only a sample of the art exhibitions at Kelvingrove Glasgow.
A rotating art exhibition means that each visit to Kelvingrove is totally different, so why not consider another visit if you’ve been before?
See the UK’s Largest Collection of Dutch and Flemish Art
Kelvingrove has one of the finest collections of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish art in the UK, as well as a wide-ranging collection of French works.
“Lar Faruk Madonna” by Guiseppe Baldan is one of the art gallery’s most prominent pieces and depicts angels surrounding a Madonna. The piece was painted on a flour bag by Italian prisoners and stands as a testament to their faith in times of strife.
Explore French, Dutch, and Flemish culture through artwork, and we bet you’ll learn something you didn’t know before!
Indulge in Scottish Artwork
While Kelvingrove has an amazing collection of French impressionists, Flemish artworks, and Dutch pieces, their Scottish art is utterly astounding, too.
Featuring famed artists like Charles Rennie Mackintosh, FCB Cadell, Sir Henry Raeburn, and many more, the Scottish Identity in Art Gallery is a fantastic way to connect with your Scottish heritage.
Listen to Kelvingrove’s Music Collection
From the daily organ recital to Celtic Connections, Kelvingrove also celebrates art in its auditory forms! Every day, the beautiful sounds of an organ reverberate through the Centre Hall of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It sets the tone for a memorable visit to this art gallery and museum.
Celtic Connections holds regular appearances by local musicians, offering a feast for the ears with a Scottish twist. You can expect Joy Dunlop, Amy Lord, and many more splendid performances!
Learn at Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow
The museum houses several fantastic options to see, from sarcophagi from ancient Egypt at the Life Galleries, a St John Cross created by Salvador Dali, Sir Roger the Asian Elephant, and even a model Spitfire on the West End/West Court of the Museum. While Kelvingrove has one of the finest collections of artwork to be seen in Scotland, you should also take advantage of the opportunity to venture into the annals of history.
When exploring Glasgow museums, Kelvingrove is an extremely popular choice that you shouldn’t miss!
More Scottish Galleries to Visit
- Aberdeen Art Gallery
- An Lanntair Arts Centre
- Compass Gallery
- Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries
- Gallery of Modern Art
- Hunterian Art Gallery
- Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
- Jupiter Artland
- Kirkcudbright Gallery
- McManus Art Gallery
- National Galleries Scotland: Modern
- National Galleries Scotland: National
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
- Perth Museum & Art Gallery
- Pier Arts Centre
- Royal Scottish Academy
- Stills Gallery
- Talbot Rice Gallery
- The Burrell Collection
- The Fruitmarket Gallery
- The Modern Institute
