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Things to do and see at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

One of Europe's finest civic collections where you'll find everything from dinosaurs to Dutch Masters, located in Glasgow’s west end and within walking distance of Riverside Museum.

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

• Venue information

Image credit: Culture and Sport Glasgow (Glasgow Museums)

Open to the public

Museum or gallery in Glasgow

487 artworks

Part of Glasgow Life Museums

Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG Scotland

[email protected]

0141 276 9599

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is open daily: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am–5pm, Friday and Sunday 11am–5pm. Entry to the permanent collection is free. If you are planning a visit especially to see a particular painting, please check with the gallery that it is currently on display. Paintings can be moved at short notice.

Not every artwork is on display – if you would like to see a particular work, contact the venue before your visit

Glasgow Life Museums has another 4,799 artworks

Joanna Meacock

Jock McFadyen

Jill Marriner

Laura Bauld

Alison Mitchelson and Joanna Meacock

65 artworks curated by David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

96 artworks curated by David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

76 artworks curated by David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

6 artworks curated by Joanna Meacock, Curator of British Art

Glasgow Life Museums

Glasgow Life Museums artworks can also be found at these venues

Venues in Glasgow

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

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:

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.

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

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland's most popular free attractions and features 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects.

The collections at Kelvingrove are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally significant. They include natural history, arms and armour, art from many art movements and periods of history and much more.

The most famous painting on display at Kelvingrove is the Salvador Dali masterpiece ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’. Sir Roger the Asian elephant is another big museum attraction. There is even a Spitfire plane hanging from the ceiling of the west court.

The refurbished building is an attraction in its own right and Kelvingrove welcomes families, its displays having been designed with children in mind. Besides all the exhibits, Kelvingrove has a restaurant, a café and a gift shop.

Please see our access statement for more information on our inclusive and accessible facilities and services.

Getting here by road: 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is in the west end of Glasgow. There is pay and display car parking at the venue, but space is limited. The car park has 10 spaces reserved for blue badge holders. These spaces are free of charge and there is no time restriction. Access to Kelvingrove Car Park is signposted from Sauchiehall Street into Kelvin Way. There is also car parking available at The Kelvin Hall at Bunhouse Road - just opposite Kelvingrove.

Public Transport: 

From the nearest information centre:- It is easy to reach the museum on public transport from the city centre. First Bus services  2, 3, and 77 all stop directly outside Kelvingrove Getting there by railway:- Kelvingrove is fifteen minutes' walk from Partick train station and ten minutes' walk from Charing Cross train station. Kelvingrove is five minutes' walk from Kelvinhall subway station and ten minutes' walk from Kelvinbridge subway station.

Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route
• Public Parking Nearby

Accessibility

• Hearing Loop
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Lift or stairlift
• Large print, braille or audio
• Level Access
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Level access from entrance to reception
• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Access guide
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• City Location

Awards & Schemes

• Access Statement Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: What To See

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located in one of the most beautiful green spaces of Glasgow… the Kelvingrove Park. Though the medieval Victorian-style sandstone brick façade of the Kelvingrove Art gallery is stunning, it’s no match for the astounding treasures that are housed inside. Rembrandts and Renoirs and the best work of the best Scottish artists jostle for space inside. There are old armour displays and ancient Egyptian treasures that will stun the onlookers.

An entire fighter plane hangs from its ceilings while dinosaur models pose in Victorian display spaces. The façade itself will charm your camera and you won’t be able to stop taking pictures… its huge entrance, a profusion of turrets and towers and immaculate detailing are infinitely charming.

The proceeds (about 250,000 pounds) from the 1888 International exhibition and public subscriptions helped gather funds for the construction of the Kelvingrove gallery that dates back to 1901. The original collections of the gallery came from the Mclellan Galleries and the City Industrial Museum.

The Kelvingrove is now hailed as one of the most beautiful buildings in Glasgow but back then it was criticised for ostentatiousness and its English style windows. Some say that the building was constructed back to front by mistake and the architect jumped to his death when he realised his mistake. The building is inspired by many styles… the dominant theme being Hispanic Baroque. The north front is inspired by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The vivid colour scheme and fairy tale towers blend in beautifully with the foliage of Kelvingrove Park and create a magical picturesque effect.

The Kelvingrove art gallery and museum was closed from 2003 to 11 July 2006 for restoration work. The restoration project cost 27.9 million pounds and it was a joint effort by the Glasgow City Council, European Regional development Society, Historic Scotland and some private donations. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II reopened the gallery on 11 th July 2006 and it immediately became the most popular free to visit attraction of Scotland. During the restoration, a big new restaurant and a basement display space were added (35% more exhibition space was added in total). The total number of exhibits was also increased to 8,000 from 5,000.

What To See & Do

The Kelvingrove art gallery and museum has 22 themed galleries, the most significant of which are:

Dutch Old Masters and French Impressionists

This gallery includes one of the largest and finest collections of 17th century Dutch and Flemish art in the UK and one of the most important collections of 19th-century French oils in the UK. French impressionists featured here include Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre Renoir, Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt. Some old Masters featured here include Rembrandt van Rijn, Jozef Israel’s and Gerard de Lairesse.

Scottish Art Galleries

These are dedicated to the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists. For the record, the term Glasgow Boys refers to 5 painters (Crawhall, Guthrie, Hornel, Lavery, Henry) who went against the traditional sentimental conservatism of 18th-century art and brought in a fresher newer style. The painters were all active proponents of the Glasgow School of Art.

Look out for ‘a Highland funeral’ by James Guthrie, Japanese lady with Fan by George Henry and the amazingly realistic watercolours by Crawhall. The Colourists again refers to a group of painters… namely Samuel Peploe, JD Fergusson, George Leslie Hunter and Francis Cadell who formed a loose group. The work of the ‘Scottish Colourists’ focuses intensely on colour manipulation and was once the toast of the Scottish high society. Some of the work to look out for here are The Orange Blind by FCB Cadell, J D Fergusson’s Grey Day, Roses by S J Peploe etc.

Salvador Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross

Undoubtedly the star of this museum (it has an entire room to itself), the 1951 dated painting was bought in 1952 by the Museum director of those times Dr Ton Honeymon. A lot of controversies surrounded this purchase which cost a whopping 8,200 euros. More than 65 years have passed and the painting’s beauty has not diminished. You will be startled to see that Jesus on the cross in this painting is devoid of the marks of crucifixion. He looks down on the shoreline and some fishermen… the painting has a deeply spiritual yet startling effect.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style

A gallery dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s most famous personality, and the style movement which was Britain’s only response to the Art Nouveau wave that was sweeping the world. Mackintosh has worked with prints, architecture, design and textile art, and some of his best work is represented in this gallery. Look out for his huge and striking posters and his iconic high-backed chairs which went on to dominate some of Glasgow’s most famous tearooms.

Incidentally, the Glasgow School of Art wholeheartedly supported the design revolution incepted by Mackintosh and encouraged other designers especially female talent (a rarity in those times) to sharpen and showcase their work. Expect to see a stunning array of art forms here including books, metalwork, furniture, textiles, stencilling, textile work, posters, stained glass, ceramics glass, mosaic interior and architectural design. The reconstructed Ladies Luncheon Room and the Ingram Street Tea Room light fittings are the most impressive exhibits here and they look straight out of a fashion décor magazine.

Natural History

This section focuses on rare fauna, dinosaurs and other prehistoric mammals. The Animal Gallery is a huge hit with kids… there are plenty of interesting activities here besides a good collection of stuffed animals. There is a small interactive room where they can open drawers and browse around shells and fossils. Kids can look through a microscope, play with eggs of dinosaurs and watch bees interacting in a hive.

Then there is a room with tunnels and Scottish wildlife with a mini adventure theme. On the opposite side of the galleries from the animals, there are mounted faces with changing expressions. Another big hit with the kids is the rainforest experience which is basically an audio-visual walk through a black box. As you walk footage from a rainforest is played on screen and there are noises of thunderstorms plus simulated images of animals.

Arms and Armour

The Arms and Armour collection of the Kelvingrove is the largest in Britain and the exhibits span European medieval and renaissance exhibits. An INGELRII sword, Zweihanders, Stone Age weapons, Bronze Age knives are some of the best items to check out. Don’t miss a look at unusual stuff like a Micronesian textile armour with pufferfish helmet, Italian rapier fencing manuals and fetch butcher.

There is a separate area devoted to the Robert Lyons Scott collection which consists of more than 3,000 books and manuscripts that detail military theories, combat strategies and fencing plans. Unarmed combat, artillery, cavalry, hunting are just some other aspects of this huge collection (probably one of the 3 most important collections of this type globally). The collector RL Scott was a shipbuilder and a fencer. You might not be able to make much sense of the entire collection unless you are deeply interested in the subject. However, the more colourful exhibits like the Lichtenauer manuscript will surely strike you.

Ancient Egypt

This collection is of a lot of importance, featuring several objects of unique importance linked to historical figures. One fun thing here is a mummy that can be bandaged by visitors… kids especially find this activity interesting. The July 2006 reopening of the Kelvingrove came with some 82 extra exhibits in the Egyptian section that are a part of a long-term loan by the British Museum.

Scottish History and Archaeology

This includes an impressive array of material relating to the early settlements across Scotland and life on St Kilda across centuries. Visit this section only if you are interested in the history of Scotland.

World Cultures

This is like a socio-cultural summary of different continents and includes nationally and internationally important objects from the Americas, Africa, South Asia and Europe.

Decorative Arts

This section has a lot of work by Annie Hull Grundy who was a renowned art collector and philanthropist. This is a good way to know about the history of European jewellery in the 18 th and 19 th centuries.

This part of the gallery has the famous spitfire i.e. an actual fighter plane that weighs 2.3 tonnes. This huge aircraft suspended from the ceiling in this grand Victorian setting has a startling effect. The plane was actually used in the 1940 Battle of Britain against the Nazis and has a Rolls Royce Griffon 61 engine plus a five-blade propeller. You can get a good view of the plane from the ground floor but there is a chance of some strain to your neck. For a more comfortable view step up to the first-floor mezzanine.

The plane was also used as a prop in the 1967 movie ‘Battle of Britain’. It was resting in the RAF museum storage before the Glasgow City Council brought it, restored and hung it up for display. Now it vividly reminds visitors of the daredevil pilots of World War II and is the museum’s favourite exhibit.

The Fulton’s Orrey

This is another unmissable exhibit… this is a 3d astronomical exhibit showing real-time positions of the solar system.  The creator is Ayrshire based shoemaker John Fulton who later became an astronomer by choice and built amazingly detailed and creative planetary models. This exhibit is the best of his work.

The Coronation of the Virgin

This is a 4.5-meter-high 20-panel stained glass window collection that’s exquisitely pretty. The work is done by Irish artist Clarke and was commissioned in 1923 by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur for the Glasgow convent chapel.

Sir Roger The elephant

This is another famous resident of the museum. This giant lifelike artificial elephant has been a part of the Kelvingrove for 100 years though he was intermittently a part of many travelling shows.

Centre Hall

The loveliest display of the museum is thought to be the concert Pipe Organ that was constructed and installed by Lewis Co. The commissioning of the organ was done in 1900 for the upcoming Glasgow international exhibition held in Kelvingrove Park. The organ was installed in the Centre Hall (then known as the Concert Hall) and a seating arrangement of 3,000 people was established. After the 1901 exhibition ended the Glasgow council east urged to buy and keep the organ as a part of the gallery. On most days there are organists playing that beautiful organ for half an hour from 1 p.m. onwards (weekdays) or 3 p.m. (Sundays).

The Centre Hall is now a venue for receptions, fashion shows, product launches, dinners and banquets… about 500 guests can be accommodated inside for a dinner party. There is also a conference room on the lower ground floor that can seat 100. The East and West Balconies of Kelvingrove are also available for event hires and so is the in-house KG Café.

Drop into the Study Centre and Library to know more about the museum collections and access databases online.

Events and exhibitions are a regular feature in the Kelvingrove gallery. Keep checking the official website to know the details of such events. Exhibits from other renowned museums also visit and stay for a while at the Kelvingrove while they are doing their world tours.

On the ground floor, there is the KG café with a decent selection of scones, cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches and hot drinks. They also rustle up cute lunch packs for kids.

In the basement, there is a spacious restaurant serving hot food along with Panini’s, sandwiches, salads and soups. The restaurant is pram friendly and visitors can be seen sitting and enjoying chat sessions.

Open Hours, Tours & Tickets

The Art gallery and Museum is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday. On Fridays and Sundays, the museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. It is a free to visit attraction. Sometimes though there are temporary exhibitions and events at this venue that may require a small entry fee.

You can find several guided tours of The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (including tours combined with other attractions) and book online from this Viator site .

Location & Contacts

The Kelvingrove art gallery and Museum is located on Argyle Street in the city’s west end on the banks of the Kelvin River at the S-shaped end of the beautiful Kelvingrove Park . The nearest subway station is Kelvin hall from where the gallery is a 15-minute pretty walk through the park.

The Gallery is about 20 minutes of walk away from the Patrick station. The Bus service routes 3, 19, 19 A and 2 stop outside the Kelvingrove museum. The City Sightseeing bus tours also stop in front of the museum.

Right opposite the Kelvingrove Art Gallery is the Kelvin Hall that has a similar style of architecture. A notable attraction nearby is the University of Glasgow .

There is a big car park outside the gallery where they charge about 1 pound for 4 hours… this gets filled up pretty quickly. Metered on-street parking is available on Sauchiehall Street, Kelvin Way and the York hill area.

A number of cafes and pubs dot Argyle street like Little Café (Italian), Mother India Café (Indian), Green Chilli Café (Asian), Jay’s Grill Bar (Korean BBQ food), Brewdog Glasgow (pub and quick bites) and Baffo (pizza). If you feel like a hearty meal then the Butchershop Bar and Grill (Sauchiehall Street) has decent steaks while Elena’s Spanish Restaurant (Old Dumbarton Road) has good Mediterranean dishes.

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Kelvingrove Park Visitor Guide

Kelvingrove Park is located in the West End of Glasgow . The public park features the Kelvingrove Museum, the River Kelvin, and the Stewart Fountain. Visitors can enjoy 85 acres of parkland that’s home to an array of flowerbeds, wide expanses of lawn, historic monuments, children’s play parks, ponds, and sports venues.

The 85-acre Kelvingrove Park was created in 1852 as a west-end green space for the city’s middle class, and it’s known for its large collection of monuments as well as its sports facilities, children’s play park, riverside paths, and, of course, the Kelvingrove Museum.

Glasgow City Council has done a great job of making this park accessible for all ages and abilities, and you’ll find a spider web of wide, well-maintained paths running through the site, the highlight of which is the area around the River Kelvin. This waterway runs through the heart of Kelvingrove Park on its way to join the River Clyde, and the banks of the river are home to geese, kingfishers, herons, red foxes, brown rats, and even otters.

A highly recommended walk follows the meandering Kelvin Walkway that forms a green link from the bustling city centre to the Milngavie countryside along a 10-mile route. The riverside path starts near the museum on the southwest edge of the park and heads north, but I recommend you divert midway to explore the monuments in the park first.

The Highlights

1: Located on the edge of Kelvingrove Park, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s most popular free-to-enter attractions. The museum houses a diverse collection of exhibits ranging from natural history and arms and armour to a vast array of European artwork, including the famous Christ of Saint John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí.

2: Kelvingrove Park offers a scenic landscape with the River Kelvin running through it, providing a tranquil environment for walks, picnics, and relaxation. The park has extensive grassy areas, beautiful flowerbeds, and majestic trees, making it the perfect location to escape from the noise of the city centre.

3: The park is dotted with various statues and memorials, including the impressive Stewart Memorial Fountain which is dedicated to Lord Provost Robert Stewart, and the prominent statue of Lord Kelvin after whom the park and the nearby river are named.

Visiting Tips

1: Before you go, it’s worth checking if there are any events or activities scheduled in the park. Kelvingrove Park frequently hosts concerts, festivals, and open-air theatre performances, particularly in the summer. Planning your visit around these events is good to know if you prefer to visit when the park is quieter.

2: Allocate enough time to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which is located next to the park. Entry is free, and the museum offers a wealth of exhibits that will appeal to a wide range of interests. It’s a large museum, so give yourself a couple of hours to explore it thoroughly. The museum also has a café where you can grab a bite to eat or a coffee.

3: If you’re taking the subway, stop at the Kelvinhall SPT Subway Station which is a 10-minute walk to the park. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as the park’s landscape is varied and you’ll likely do a fair bit of walking once you’re there.

Tourist Information

Aside from the museum, you’ll find lots of activities at Kelvingrove Park if you take the time to fully explore it. Walking north along Kelvin Way you’ll see the Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls and Tennis Centre which has six tennis courts as well as bowling greens that were a venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, while the Kelvingrove skate park is situated between the River Kelvin and the Stewart Memorial Fountain.

The fountain is the largest monument in the park and was built in 1872 to commemorate the achievement of supplying Glasgow with fresh water from Loch Katrine over 40 miles away.

Other monuments include the Lord Frederick Roberts Memorial which offers a lovely elevated view of the cityscape, and the £2 million 2014 renovated bandstand that has played host to thousands of events since being built in 1924. If an event is scheduled to be held in Kelvingrove Park, you can more or less guarantee it’ll be staged at the bandstand, and throughout the year you’ll find a mixture of music, festivals, and charity shows performed there.

If you’re a family visiting the park with an energetic toddler you can let them burn off some energy at one of the three children’s play areas (the one next to the skate park is excellent) before heading for a relaxing drink in one of the cafés on the grounds.

I recommend you check out An Clachan, which is a family-friendly venue near the park’s eastern entrance at the junction of Clifton Street and La Belle Place. There’s a play park close to it and the café has outdoor seating, so it’s perfect for letting the kids go wild while keeping an eye on them from behind a frothy cappuccino.

Things to Do

Explore Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum : With over 8,000 objects on display, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a treasure trove of art, culture, and history. Marvel at Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of Saint John of the Cross’, explore the natural history section, and delve into Scotland’s artwork courtesy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and The Glasgow Boys.

Relax by the River Kelvin : The River Kelvin runs through the park, offering a relaxing setting for a peaceful walk or a picnic. The soothing sound of the river and the occasional sight of local wildlife make a visit to Kelvingrove a must-do for anyone needing a break from the hubbub of the city centre.

Stroll through the Victorian Gardens : Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Victorian gardens, which are meticulously maintained and feature a variety of native and exotic plants. The vibrant display of colours, especially during spring and summer, makes Kelvingrove one of the most scenic city parks in Scotland.

Attend Outdoor Concerts and Events : Kelvingrove Park frequently hosts various outdoor concerts, festivals, and events, especially during the summer months. These events present a wonderful opportunity for visitors to engage in local culture.

Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls and Tennis Centre : For sports enthusiasts, the park offers top-notch lawn bowls and tennis facilities. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, you’ll enjoy a game in this picturesque setting. Coaching is also available for those willing to learn or improve their skills.

Things to Do Nearby

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum . Argyle St., Glasgow, G3 8AG. 10-minute walk. Kelvingrove, one of Scotland’s most-visited museums, offers a diverse range of exhibits from across the globe. The museum is situated near the west end of the 84-acre Kelvingrove Park. Entry is free.

The Hunterian Museum . University of Glasgow, 82 Hillhead St., Glasgow G12 8QQ, 12-minute walk. A free-to-enter museum located inside the University of Glasgow. The museum displays artefacts from many areas of study, including zoology, medicine, and history.

The Riverside Museum of Transport . 100 Pointhouse Rd., Govan, Glasgow, G3 8RS. 25-minute walk. A modern museum that explores the history of transport with interactive displays and one of the largest collections of rare cars, trains, and motorbikes in Scotland. Entry is free.

The Tall Ship . 150 Pointhouse Rd., Stobcross Rd., Govan, Glasgow, G3 8RS. 26-minute walk. This attraction is located next to the Transport Museum on the bank of the River Clyde. The Tall Ship is a fully restored Victorian sailing ship that allows visitors to explore the historic vessel from bow to stern. There is a café and a gift shop inside. Entry is free.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens . 730 Great Western Rd., Glasgow, G12 0UE. 20-minute walk. A 27-acre botanic garden in the heart of Glasgow. The gardens are acclaimed for the Victorian cast-iron glasshouse, Kibble Palace. Entry is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to walk around kelvingrove park.

It typically takes about an hour to walk around Kelvingrove Park, depending on your pace and whether you stop to see any of the attractions within the park.

Who designed Kelvingrove Park?

Sir Joseph Paxton, architect Charles Wilson, and surveyor Thomas Kyle created Kelvingrove Park in 1852, which was formerly known as the West End Park.

How many acres is Kelvingrove Park?

The Victorian Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow is 34 hectares, or 85 acres, in total size.

Are there toilets in Kelvingrove Park?

Toilets are located near Kelvin Way, close to the Kelvingrove Bandstand (postcode: Kelvin Way, G12 8LU). Visit the official website for updated information on available facilities.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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The inside story

Boasting over 8000 objects with 22 themed galleries inside, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an awesome abyss of art and learning. Family-friendly and suitable for all ages, navigate your way through Kelingrove’s different sections – artistic minds are led on a journey through art movements and history. From Dutch Old Masters to French Impressionists, as well as constantly changing exhibitions, there’s so much to see.

The museum treats visitors to a selection of displays from natural history, the animal kingdom, arms and armour and Ancient Egypt – there’s even a Spitfire dangling from the ceiling. After working up an appetite, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a restaurant and cafe on site for a pick-me-up, and once you’ve squeezed everything out of your visit, why not take a walk around Kelvingrove Park grounds. Admire the red sandstone of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which is a piece of art in itself.

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