People’s Palace, Glasgow, is proud of its wonderful insight into the social and political history of Glasgow’s people, from 1750 all the way up to the present day!
Set in the stunning Glasgow Green, the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are a sight to behold. From the restored Doulton fountain, vintage photographs, paintings, and prints to interactive computer displays, tropical plants, historic artefacts and intricate restoration work, People’s Palace pays homage to the city of Glasgow, all set in the oldest public space in Scotland.
Details to Know About People’s Palace
Excited to explore Glasgow’s Social History Museum? Before you get ready to hear the fascinating stories from People’s Palace, make sure you’ve got all the details for the trip ready!
People’s Palace Tickets
There is no People’s Palace, Glasgow, entrance fee. You can enjoy free entry and explore the historic artefacts all you want.
People’s Palace, Glasgow, Opening Times
If you want to see how old Glaswegians lived at the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens against the backdrop of the historic Glasgow Green, they’re open Monday to Thursday between 10 am and 5 pm (the same applies to Saturday). On Fridays and Sundays, the opening hours are 11 am until 5 pm.
How to Get to People’s Palace
Before you get psyched to learn about the city’s social history, here are all the details about how to get to People’s Palace by car or public transport.
Car
If you’re in Glasgow, you should make your way to the A74 and turn down Templeton Street. From Edinburgh, you can expect just over an hour-long trip along the M8.
Bus
Look for First Bus services 18, 64, and 263 – they’ll be on London Road. Other services like 40, 60, and 61 make a stop on Gallowgate. Both London Road and Gallowgate stops are a few minutes’ walk to People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.
Rail
The ScotRail is the fastest way to get to most Glasgow museums! For People’s Palace on Glasgow Green, the closest stations are from Argyle Street, Bellgrove, and High Street, a 15-minute walk away from People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.
Accessibility
This stunning museum on Glasgow Green has lots of accessibility features! There is an accessible toilet, provisions made for a British Sign Language introduction to the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, and free BSL tours.
There is also ramped access to the ground floor and spaces for mobility-impaired walkers, accessible parking bays, a baby changing facility, wheelchair and pram access to areas with lifts and free wheelchairs to hire, and guide/assistance dogs are welcome.
Attractions at People’s Palace
The People’s Palace, Glasgow is all about, well, the people of the city! From the 18th century to today, the museum has tons of historic artefacts, Glasgow paintings, and stories of lives that will never be forgotten.
The People’s Palace & Winter Garden
One of the most appealing parts of the museum is the Winter Gardens!
The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens has a Victorian Glasshouse, filled with tropical plants, a café, the restored Doulton Fountain, and many temporary exhibits. It truly has a beautiful air of solitude to it; unfortunately, the Winter Gardens had to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will hopefully reopen soon!
See Billy Connolly’s Boots!
These awesome banana boots were designed by Edmund Smith for Billy Connolly, and have become an iconic Glasgow item, showing off the hustle and humour of the city.
Honour the People’s Palace Cat
There’s a plaque outside the city museum dedicated to Smudge the cat, who actually became a member of the Trade Union. However, NALGO rejected her as a blue-collar worker, but you can still honour her work!
Marvel at the Glasgow Art
There are tons of paintings displayed at the museum, including the stunning “Glasgow Fair” by John Knox, depicting hundreds of different kinds of Glaswegians
Discover How Ten People Lived in a Small Flat
On the top floor of People’s Palace, Glasgow, you can see how ten people lived in a recreated single-room flat, showing off the city’s sense of community and giving visitors more appreciation for modern-day life!
More Scottish Museums to Visit
- Black Watch Museum
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
- Edinburgh Writers Museum
- Glasgow Science Centre
- Highland Folk Museum
- Museum of Childhood
- Museum of Edinburgh
- Museum of the Isles
- Museum on the Mound
- National Mining Museum
- National Museum of Flight
- National War Museum
- Riverside Museum
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Scottish Crannog Centre
- Scottish Maritime Museum
- Shetland Museum & Archives
- St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
- Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
- Surgeons’ Hall Museum
- V&A Dundee
