If someone asks which Glasgow museums and art galleries are worth visiting, the Burrell Collection is one of the top contenders. This important collection was created by Sir William Burrell and is considered to be one of the most impressive collections collected by a single person. It holds an outstanding 9000 objects that span 6000 years of history — featuring Chinese and Islamic art as well as Scottish artists.
The Burrell Collection has won numerous awards, including the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023, the 2022 Facade Design and Engineering Awards, and the 2023 Civic Trust Awards. The museum reopened in March 2022 following an extensive six-year refurbishment and now can be seen with beautiful stained glass and towering columns visible from the Pollok Country Park that surrounds it.
If you’re interested in visiting the Burrell Collection during your next holiday in Glasgow, then make sure to read our complete guide! We’ll be covering everything you need to know, from how to get there and the attractions to see.
Important Details to Know
Here are the important details that anyone visiting the Burrell Collection should keep in mind before your visit:
Accessibility
The Burrell Collection has several accessibility features that allow everyone to enjoy this collection in the city of Glasgow.
- There are two separate entrances to the Burrell Collection that don’t have stairs and allow access for wheelchaired visitors.
- There are lifts that provide access to the floors of the collection.
- Art pieces have digital displays that offer captions, BSL, and translations in 10 languages.
- Assistance dogs are allowed within the Collection.
- The Burrell Collection is the first museum to have two changing place toilets.
For any further assistance or enquiries into accessibility, please contact the Burrell Collection.
Opening Times
The Museum is open every day of the week, although opening times vary based on which day of the week you visit. On Monday – Thursday, and Saturday, the Burrell Collection is open between 10:00 and 17:00.
On Fridays and Sundays, the Collection is open from 11:00 to 17:00. On certain holidays, the facilities may be closed; just be sure to check the Burrell Collection website for further details.
Ticket Prices
Entry to see the Burrell Collection is free! You don’t need to pay anything to see the paintings that this collection includes.
How to Get There
Want to find the Burrell Collection but find it difficult to navigate the bustling city of Glasgow? Don’t worry, here are the easiest ways to reach the location:
Bus
There a several bus routes that take you to the Burrell Collection, or at least Pollok Country Park, directly from Glasgow city centre.
From Pollokshaws Road, take Routes 57 and 57A — there is a bus stop opposite the park entrance.
Dumbrek Road also has two routes, 34 and 34A, which drop you off opposite Haggswood Avenue.
Both route takes about 20 minutes to reach the Collection.
Train
To reach the award-winning building via train, there are two train services from Glasgow Central Station: Pollokshaws West and Shawlands.
Both take about 10 minutes to reach and are a cost-effective way of seeing the Collection.
Attractions to See
Once you’ve walked through the beautiful rural setting of Pollok Country Park, admire the bustling city of Glasgow, and finally set your eyes on the Burrell Collection building, a world of fine art awaits! If you’re in a hurry or don’t know what you should set aside time for, then don’t worry, we’ve outlined the top attractions to see while you’re here.
Wander the Burrell Collection
The highlight of the Burrell Collection is undoubtedly the vast collections of artworks within. As we’ve mentioned before, there are 9,000 objects that span over 6,000 years of history from all over the world, painstakingly collected by Sir William Burrell and his wife, Constance Burrell.
The art collection has one of the most significant holdings of Chinese and Islamic Art in the UK, with further collections that cover late Medieval and ancient civilisations. The Chinese art especially is well worth the visit, with amazing historical artefacts and artwork that give you a sense of the world as it was centuries ago.
In addition to gorgeous artwork from overseas, the Burrell Collection also has a rotating set of temporary exhibitions that focus on British and Scottish artists, showcasing both the past and future of artwork in Scotland.
Digital at Burrell
Digital at Burrell is the new and exciting venture at the Burrell Collection that introduces a new way for people to enjoy the many projects and research at the institute. You can look forward to interactive displays at many of the exhibits throughout the Collection, offering greater insight into how the piece or artwork was acquired and made.
The Digital Team at Burrell encourage you to take the time to see the displays and agrees that these displays play a crucial part in providing access to the collection.
Explore Pollok Country Park
Pollok Country Park is like the Central Park of Glasgow and surrounds the Burrell Collection. If you have some spare time on your hands, ensure you take a walk along this park and see some of its highlights too!
Pollok House is a popular attraction within the Country Park, and the ensure park has minimal architecture to emphasis the feeling of solitude and connection to nature. Why not take a few snacks and have a picnic before visiting the Collection? You can’t fully appreciate art on an empty stomach, after all!
Take Part in Events and Activities at the Burrell Collection
The Burrell Collection has plenty of events and activities that you can enjoy throughout the year. Even on a weekly basis, the Collection puts on a bite-sized tour of the venue and a free-themed tour of the entire art collection on Thursdays.
Taiji Qigong will also occasionally offer relaxing and mindful activities amidst the artwork, letting you experience the art in a way that you’ve never seen before. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amazing events that you can expect each year, so make sure to see what’s on during your visit.
Grab a Bite to Eat at The Burrell
If you didn’t manage to have a picnic at Pollok Country Park, then be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Burrell, one of the best dining room options if you’re craving some quality food and drink. The Burrell offers two coffee shops and restaurants, with stone-baked pizza, fish and chips, and even a range of seasonal soups and sandwiches.
But even if it’s for a quick coffee before you hit your next stop, make sure to stop at this delicious restaurant and cafe before heading over to your next attraction!
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
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- 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 Fruitmarket Gallery
- The Modern Institute
