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Glasgow Science Centre

4.1 (55 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Glasgow Science Centre Museums Photos

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photo from official website
Amanda Q.

The Glasgow Tower is something not many people know about at all, not even me...until being assigned to use it in a university project. So it is part of the Glasgow Science Centre, right across the road from the BBC Scotland. So you pay a fee of about £5, maybe more to go up in the elevator in the centre of the tunnel. When you get to the top you get a birdseye view of the city which is spectacular, but appart from that you will be twiddling your fingers because that is the whole show. Before going up, they gave an interesting little rendition of the architecture of the thing, things like how it adjusts to the wind and how it pivots and balances on a 1 foot bearing at the very bottom. Not what you want to know before going up quite a few feet. I wouldn't do it again, and would only say do it if you get a combined ticket going to see the science centre and the imax, making the whole experience cheaper.

Steven B.

I have been here so many times, even though the changes are infrequent. It's a really fun place where people of all ages can fully act like kids and get away with it. I love the huge Connect 4! There's just so many cool things in here, I never know where to start! It sports some up to date interactive technology, with different stands and displays focusing on gravity, energy etc. in what is always a fun, playful and informative afternoon for me. It's one of the best tourists attractions in Glasgow, and where I took a friend of my girlfriends who spoke little English, a deficit that goes unnoticed in here as it is a very hands-on, visual experience. Let's not forget the IMAX as well where I went to see The Dark Knight a few summers back now, easily one of the most immersive cinema experiences I have ever had. A cracking place that I could, and will, keep going to for years to come.

The Glasgow Science Centre
Catriona M.

Fantastic place to spend the day! I can not recommend it highly enough. It sits on the south bank of the River Clyde and is comprised of three main buildings aka the Science Mall, an IMAX cinema and the Glasgow Tower. Glasgow Science Centre is one of Scotland's must-see visitor attractions and allows visitors to see unique attractions and activities. Check out the planetarium, science areas, IMAX cinema and workshops. One trip will not be enough and if you have kids then I must ask you why you have not been here already. The IMAX is fantastic and when I went to see the latest Star Trek and was so impressed by the quality of the picture and the shear size of the screen. Well worth going to see a film here. The Scottish tourist board have also awarded Glasgow Science Centre a five star rating in the visitor attraction category - see, I told you it was good.

from official website
Gavin M.

Despite the disappointment that we missed the wiggly worms show, the science centre really doesn't disappoint and has some brilliant interactive displays over three floors, my personal favourite being an ageing machine that shows just how horrible you'll look in 50 years time. Another highlight is the planetarium which is really quite spectacular and relaxing, and proper astronomy buffs (or those who took "exploring the cosmos" in first year at uni) will find regular lectures from Patrick Moore types on here. Theres a brilliant gift shop as well which sells all sorts of gadgets and general science-y stuff. One of the best tourist attractions in Glasgow, and it stands up to repeat visits. Not to be missed.

http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/

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18 years ago

fun day out took my brother and sister spent a lot but you always do dont you fun lots to do would go again.

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17 years ago

good day out if you haven't been! they dont change it much and all the workshops are the same! expensive! expensive!

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Glasgow Science Centre Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Glasgow Science Centre

Attached to the Science Centre is one of Glasgow's two IMAX cinemas, the second one being at Braehead.

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Riverside Museum - Inside view toward the back wall

Riverside Museum

4.1(57 reviews)
0.7 miWest End

A friend recommended this place and her elevator pitch was simple "it has a wall of vintage cars"…read more A very interesting museum that has transportation displays but also a recreation of a classic Scottish main street, glasgow punk vinyls, and old toys. It was one of the most unique museums we've been to and like all the museums in Scotland it was free! The architecture is interesting and was done by one of my favorite architects, Zaha Hadid. The roofline is undulating and angular and the whole form is extruded backwards toward the river to form the museum. From the back you get a very interesting view with the restored old ship and the modern museum juxtaposing each other. The interior is also distinctly Zaha, with curved lines that seem to guide you and your eyes through your space. The only jarring thing is it feels a bit disorientating, especially when trying to take photos and videos and looking for horizontal and vertical lines to help line you up. The wall of motorcycles and cars are visually stunning though the ones high up are really hard to see so I enjoyed the vehicles on the floor more because you could see everything much better. There is a second floor you can get to with all the interactive displays and a hypnotizing carousel of giant model ships that move in a continual loop.

What a fun, big and FREE museum! We spent four hours here and probably could've stayed a bit…read morelonger. We got licky and made it just in time for a FREE guided tour. The tour guide took us around the whole museum highlighting the more Scottish items. The museum is mostly transportation but also has a section that is a recreation of a 1920's street complete with shops you can walk into. I highly recommend coming solo, with friends, or family! Donations are asked to help keep this amazing museum free to the public and there is a parking lot for a fee

Photos
Riverside Museum - Back of museum, so cool with the old ship contrasting the modern building

Back of museum, so cool with the old ship contrasting the modern building

Riverside Museum - Outside front, designed by Zaha Hadid

Outside front, designed by Zaha Hadid

Riverside Museum

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The Lighthouse - The Lighthouse Building

The Lighthouse

4.1(43 reviews)
1.5 miCity Centre
£

It took me an embarrassingly long time to actually visit The Lighthouse, and I'm even more…read moreembarrassed to admit that I *still* haven't been up the top to look at the view over Glasgow! Next time, I promise! The Lighthouse is tucked down Mitchell Lane and has a wonderful gift shop on the ground floor. I am a certified museum-gift-shop addict and this one is nearly as good as the one at GOMA. At the moment, they're selling some great stuff to accompany the "Hello My Name is Paul Smith" exhibition and I couldn't resist getting a couple of the pencils, an eraser as well as a nice card from the range. There's a lot of nice Scottish stuff if you're looking for a gift so it's worth a browse even if you're not planning on going to an exhibition. We were there to see the Paul Smith exhibition which is on the first floor and ticketed at £6 per adult. While I think the price is a little steep, it's a fab exhibition which was really interesting, stimulating and thought-provoking - I think we were only there for half an hour or so, but really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be back sooner rather than later for a visit to the viewing platform so I'll update accordingly! But for now, I'm already a massive fan so I can't expect the rating to change for this lovely gallery.

The Lighthouse is one of Glasgow's wonder free museums/galleries. It was one of the first galleries…read moreI visited when I moved to Glasgow and I've been back a few times since, either for a specific exhibit, a general wander, or to head up the Mackintosh tower for the amazing views over the city. Much of the museum is free to access, including the permanent Charles Rennie Mackintosh exhibits and the tower. Architecture is usually the theme of most of what they're showing off, although design in general is also showcased here, especially when it's by local and Scottish artists. On the ground floor there's a fantastic gift shop with lots of Mackintosh themed gifts. Usually they have items related to other exhibits as well. There's a cafe on level 5 too and although I've not visited it in a while I remember it being light and spacious and selling pretty darn good carrot cake. It's a really cool gallery to learn a little about the history of design and architecture in Glasgow, as well as learning about some more modern themes. It's also a great place for those views from the tower to get your bearings (although it's an awfully long way up a spiral staircase, so if you don't like heights it may not be for you). For me, on a sunny day, it's one of the highlights of the city centre. If you're visiting Glasgow or you have guests in Glasgow and you find yourself in the city centre then I'd say a stop at The Lighthouse is well worth the time. It would be a shame to miss out on such a cool place.

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The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse - Tower stairs, from official website

Tower stairs, from official website

The Lighthouse - Doocot Cafe

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Doocot Cafe

Hunterian Museum - Building housing The Hunterian on the University of Glasgow campus.

Hunterian Museum

4.5(22 reviews)
1.0 miWest End

We happened to come across the museum while walking around Glasgow University. It's free, so we…read moredecided to check it out. It's the oldest public museum in Scotland. There were some interesting artifacts.

I visited The Hunterian, located on-campus at the University of Glasgow, for the first time on…read moreWednesday 17 July 2019. I was following a geologist on Twitter who worked/collabed with the museum (I have since deleted my account - in the first half of 2021) and decided it would be fun to check the exhibits out. The building was straightforward to find and was marked for The Hunterian. The entrance was located up some stairs and had posted hours just outside the entrance. The admission was free. I enjoyed the different exhibits overall. Workers were friendly, but not nosy. The artifacts were well labeled and contextualized. As well as items of historical significance, such as stone altars from the Romans, exhibits also highlighted different people and their contributions to social and scientific development in Scotland. As a woman who is part Scottish by ancestry, I still find it neat that the term "scientist" was coined for female Scotswoman Mary Fairfax Somerville. I found the informational placards accompanying the displayed items to be easy to understand.

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Hunterian Museum
Hunterian Museum - Entrance and hours posted, Wednesday 17 July 2019.

Entrance and hours posted, Wednesday 17 July 2019.

Hunterian Museum - Hedgy the Hedgehog (a plush) with an Altar to the Spirit of the Land of Britain from the Romans.

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Hedgy the Hedgehog (a plush) with an Altar to the Spirit of the Land of Britain from the Romans.

Provand's Lordship - At Provand's Lordship

Provand's Lordship

3.9(9 reviews)
2.2 miMerchant City, City Centre

One of the many free Museums in Glasgow, this is the oldest house built in Glasgow. It's on the…read moreroute on of the City Sightseeing Bus if you ever give that a chance, which I recommend. Opposite Glasgow Cathedral and St. Mungo Museum, you can make a day of it going down this way. There's some interesting medieval history to be consumed in here, and you usually have the place to yourself to get immersed in it without hassle. If you are on the tall side, you might have to watch your head! Seemingly people weren't so tall back in the 1400's. A recommended cultural highlight that could easily be missed.

I have visited the Provan's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, several times, both as part of a…read moreschool trip, and on my own initiative. It was built in 1471 and is the only remaining building from medieval Glasgow. Inside there is a lot to be learned about life at the time, with several eerie glassy-eyed mannequins to illustrate what the inhabitants might have looked like. The thickness of the walls and the low ceilings are interesting features of the time. It's easy to walk past, with just a couple of modest signs proclaiming the history of the place. In my experience it's rarely busy, except of course if a school trip has just descended on the place. Most of the children don't have a lot of respect for the history, climbing all over the furniture and shrieking hysterically at the mannequins. Admission is free, so I would definitely recommend taking time out to make a visit if you have even a passing interest in history.

Photos
Provand's Lordship - Bedroom at Provand's Lordship

Bedroom at Provand's Lordship

Provand's Lordship - At Provand's Lordship

At Provand's Lordship

Provand's Lordship - At Provand's Lordship

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At Provand's Lordship

River Kelvin Walkway - West End Wander

River Kelvin Walkway

4.8(12 reviews)
1.5 miBotanics, West End

For me, the Kelvin Walkway is the highlight of the West End and one of the main reasons I love…read moreliving here. It's just a wonderful corridor of greenery to wander through and transport yourself away from traffic noise and pollution. Mind you, it wasn't always like this - in Victorian times and before the Kelvin was very much a working river and was extremely polluted, and it's only really in the latter years of the 20th Century that it was properly cleaned up and transformed into a walking route. The Kelvin is Glasgow's 'other' river and I recommend the book of the same name by Alex Matheson if you want to know more about the history of the river. The walkway is great for accessing the Botanic Gardens or Kelvingrove Park, and a pleasant walk into town is to take the walkway round the back of the Museum & Art Gallery then cut through Kelvingrove Park and along Clairmont Gardens and Woodside Place, which brings you out nicely at Charing Cross without encountering much traffic. I live within a mile of its downstream efflux into the Clyde, and I just adore the fact that I could step out of my front door and end up in Fort William by following the Kelvin Walkway to Milngavie and then joining the West Highland Way. How does Bilbo's song go? The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way, Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say. Definitely on my bucket list - I may not make it as far as Fort William but Milngavie station is a definite possibility!

A simply gorgeous part of Glasgow to explore - I only knew of a small part of this walkway until…read moreSara T took us on a west end wander further north from Inn Deep up to Queen Margaret Drive. What a delight the walkway is - leafy, lush and somewhat like a rainforest. You'd never knew you were in the middle of a city when you're wandering along. There's some delights to discover along the way, including the mills and at the right time of year, loads of wild garlic. If you've never been before, it's a must for any Glasgow resident for a lovely weekend wander.

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River Kelvin Walkway - West End Wander

West End Wander

River Kelvin Walkway - West End Wander

West End Wander

River Kelvin Walkway - West End Wander

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West End Wander

The Anatomy Museum - The Anatomy Museum

The Anatomy Museum

4.8(4 reviews)
0.9 miWest End

The Anatomy Museum is like nowhere else in the city that I have ever been to. Where else could I…read moresee the most surreal collection of pickled human remains from the past? I think we both know the answer. If you like science or you are just interested in the human body that gets you from A to B then this is a must. The most famous item is the 100 year-old pickled penis which is worth seeing and will make you question the science of evolution. On saying that, some of the items are quite hard to look i.e. the pickled, deformed feotous. However if you have a strong stomach and an inquisitive mind then stop by. It's a free museum with a world class of collection. If you have a weak stomach then give it a miss!

Concealed in a corner of one of the university's faculties, the Anatomy Museum is designed as a…read morestudy tool for scientific students (I'm guessing biology) but it looks like it's existed since the Victorian period. It's perfectly preserved - much like the pickled heads and penises of people long deceased. If you've got a weak stomach and easily weirded out then I wouldn't recommend coming here. It's not anatomical models - you will be looking at real remains in various shapes, sizes and forms. There are a number of deformed fetus that may disturb some people. But, I've got to say, it fascinates me. It's a dusty, Frankenstein style lab full of unnerving specimens but you can't say it's not interesting! And it must be useful for biology students because you really get a close up, exact representation of the human body. I took my boyfriend here on a date - shows you what kind of people we are(!) - and he loved it. But if you're a bit of a shrinking violet stick to the art galleries!

Glasgow Science Centre - museums - Updated May 2026

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