Verdant Works
Verdant Works
5
Speciality MuseumsHistoric SitesHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Verdant Works | Made in Dundee | One Mill | Many Stories Verdant Works is a world-class visitor attraction which tells the story of Dundee’s industrial textile heritage in the atmospheric setting of a beautifully refurbished Mill building which dates back to 1833. The story of jute and the story of Dundee are inseparable. The industry employed 50,000 people in the city at its peak and supplied much of the world’s demand for jute goods. As you explore the self-led museum at your own pace you will: – Soak up the atmosphere of the cobbled 19th century courtyard – Enter a busy jute office of 1900 and meet some characters of the period – Find out how jute was harvested in India, how and why it came to Dundee and more about Dundee’s bustling docks – Experience the deafening sounds of the machines and see the jute process from raw fibre to woven cloth – See a typical Dundee ‘plettie’, learn about tenement life and the health of the mill workers. – Discover who ‘kettle bilers’ were and all about the reversal of traditional gender roles in Dundee – finding out about mill girls, Suffragettes and the unions. – Visit the Victorian Half-Time School and also see how the workers spent their precious leisure time. – Enjoy drop in family activities in our specially designed Red Box learning hub – Learn about pattern casting, engineering and stop to pick up tips for researching local and family history in our History Hub – Appreciate the stunning mill architecture from the two viewing platforms in the High Mill – Watch in awe as the 1801 Boulton & Watt beam engine chugs into action … and don’t forget to stop by our gift shop and café to get a well-earned cup of tea and Dundee cake!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

Top ways to experience Verdant Works and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Kate
    Aberdour, United Kingdom8 contributions
    Top quality visitor attraction.
    We were all very impressed with Verdant Works. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, we got a small intro by a volunteer that set the scene and told us how to get the best out of the attraction. The displays were very high quality, information is presented in a wide variety of mediums; historic rooms, diaramers, display boards, videos, photographs, audio stories, physical objects and interactive display. Our children are 9 and 8 and loved it as much as we did. They enjoyed some dressing up, quiz and scavenger hunts, large machinery and the ability to get their hands on exhibits. We loved the audio stories of people who lived and worked in Dundee, the machine room and the social history room. We all loved the very good cafe. Verdant works delivered way above our expectations and we will be back using our year pass. Thanks to all the volunteers and good work on such a lovely museum.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 30 January 2023
  • Mike M
    Fife, United Kingdom3 contributions
    Excellent museum for anyone of any age
    I visited on Sunday with my family (kids 8 & 9 yrs) and we had a really great time. The museum has a great range of installations that keep both adults and kids interested and engaged. It’s great mix of industrial and social history. I particularly loved listening to the audio excerpts of Dundonian women talking about the life of mill workers (a hard life!) We even got to see one of the machines in action. We were in the museum for >3hrs, including a stop at the cafe/shop which is excellent. The staff were all helpful and informative. We’ll definitely go back in the future and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone of any age, it’s definitely a match for the museums available in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 January 2023
  • CBR
    169 contributions
    So much to see, nice staff
    So much to see that we will come again soon. Fortunately we bought the good value annual ticket. The staff were lovely and informative. A nice cafe and shop. The nachinery and displays were interesting. A great asset for Dundee.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 February 2023
  • Joanne M
    2 contributions
    Unique museum experience
    Lovely food, friendly staff, excellent museum both for adults and kids. My 3 year old came with us today for his first ever visit and loved all the interactive parts as well as ‘the cundie’ and the class room. Food and staff in the cafe were both lovely. The ladies in the cafe totally bent over backwards for us, or at least it felt like they did, maybe they are just that nice all of the time! They really seem like a total asset to the museum. The exhibition itself is fab and really gives a good idea of what Dundee was truly like in years gone by. The only slightly disappointing thing was that some parts seem to have been broken/turned off, we particularly notice the man in the cundie wasn’t talking as we had told our son about it ahead of time.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 February 2023
  • rpaterson2020
    Turriff, United Kingdom3 contributions
    A window on Dundee's past
    Our trip to Verdant Works was a great experience. We started with lunch in the cafe. The soup was excellent as were the toasties which were made to order by the friendly staff. I'd recommend the option of the annual pass which gives year long entry to Verdant Works and the Discovery visitor centre and is only slightly more expensive than the day ticket. The reason for this is that there is so much to see that just one afternoon is not enough to take it all in. Hearing from Lily, who worked in a mill in Dundee after leaving school really added to the experience and helped to give an even better feel for what it felt like to work in the jute mills. To see how the mill office would have looked as well as seeing some of the machinery in operation were two highlights as well as learning about the economic and social impact of the trade. We'll definitely be back. I would recommend making sure to wrap up warm though as some parts of the museum can be a little chilly if you don't go wearing a jacket.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 22 February 2023
  • sunnybrae2016
    Aberdeen, United Kingdom21 contributions
    What a great Museum
    We had a great visit to Verdant Works. It is very well laid out and very informative in a way that it is easy to take in the information. Highlight of the visit was being shown around the machine room and all the machines by Lily. She left school at 15 to work in the jute mills and she was a magnificent source of information and answered a multitude of our questions. The cafe was also a great spot for lunch. We were at Verdant Works for around 3 hours with a soup stop in the middle. Alll the staff are very friendly and ;lovely
    Visited February 2023
    Written 24 February 2023
  • GWoolfe
    Scarborough, United Kingdom81 contributions
    Great piece of history
    A very interesting place to visit. Staff were friendly and the volunteers were amazing and really brought the history alive. It was great to speak to someone who worked there, and to see the machines in action. Set up in a very concise way that tells the story of the industry, there’s a lot to see and take in and with some many different aspects there’s something for everyone. There is a lot to take in, but the ticket is an annual pass so there’s always an opportunity to go back. The shop had some nice products, but would’ve been nice if there was more history books.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 5 March 2023
  • catherine f
    Clackmannan, United Kingdom51 contributions
    Verdant works visit
    Absolutely fascinating visit to this outstanding museum. Lovely friendly staff great little cafe. So interesting to see how the jute industry became world famous. Will definitely return
    Thank you for your 5 star review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit. We're currently undertaking research - if you'd like to share your valuable insights as a recent visitor, please feel free to complete our short survey: http://tinyurl.com/verdantworkssurvey
    Written 5 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 March 2023
  • voyageurLuxembourg
    Scotland, United Kingdom227 contributions
    High Quality Museum
    There has obviously been a lot of thought and planning in the content and layout of this museum. Well designed to make it easy for you to imagine what a jute mill was like. Great collection of equipment and films. Staf were very friendly and informative.
    Thank you for your 5 star review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit. We're currently undertaking research - if you'd like to share your valuable insights as a recent visitor, please feel free to complete our short survey: http://tinyurl.com/verdantworkssurvey
    Written 5 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 9 April 2023
  • handpict2018
    Falkirk District, United Kingdom50 contributions
    Wonderful Works!
    Slick, professional presentation. Superb welcome on purchasing tickets. We went to see the photography exhibition, which was slightly less than expected. However the whole museum was a joy! Beautifully presented and enticingly laid out. Quietly told not extolled , the history of jute and the men(!) involved. Found it fascinating but not over simplified or boring. Just wish we had been able to buy some jute! Found some of the pictures of the former workers most moving and illuminating. Loved the information about womens involvement and their motivation. Girls take note! The whole experience was good. AND free parking! The cafe smelled good! Plus there are some other superb things to see in the surrounding streets, if you are arty or into motorcycles, or repurposing!
    Thank you for your 5 star review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit. We're currently undertaking research - if you'd like to share your valuable insights as a recent visitor, please feel free to complete our short survey: http://tinyurl.com/verdantworkssurvey
    Written 5 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 21 May 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
1,015 reviews
Excellent
808
Very good
182
Average
17
Poor
4
Terrible
4

sirl0inlr
Glasgow, UK53 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Really interesting museum - lots of displays and information on the history of jute production in Dundee. Great to see the machinery, and videos of it working - made it easier to understand the process.

Member of staff very helpful, told us all about his own work history in mills (and also looked up buses for us for getting back to the car)

The cafe and shop were a real bonus. We started with soup and cheese scones - and the homemade soup was absolutely delicious, as were the large scones! After we'd been round the museum we had coffee and a slice of Dundee cake (only 1 between 2 - we're not pigs!) Coffee excellent, cake lovely and moist and full of fruit and nuts

Couldn't make up my mind which jute bag to have - there were lots of different designs, some with the Broons and Oor Wullie. Will just have to go back......
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Susanne E
Saratoga Springs, NY3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
This was one of the best museums I have been to in a long while. The volunteer Ewan gave me a fascinating and tangible introduction to Jute making, which also included a demonstration of the process on working machinery. The museum brings Dundee‘s
industrial and social heritage to life in a detailed and enthralling way. The 2.5h I spent here felt more like 30 minutes.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit and hope to welcome you back soon.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Peigi M
Crail, UK52 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
You could spend hours and hours in this attraction. Really well laid out with masses of history and information. Interactive exhibitions are great, volunteer guide in the machines room was really knowledgeable and had actually worked the machines. Very well worth a visit but allow plenty for time. Overall a wonderful experience.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your 5 star review! We're so glad that you enjoyed your visit - we'll pass on your kind words to the rest of our team and our volunteer guides.
Written 6 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

glitrberi
USA84 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
What a cool museum. If you don't know the history of jute in Dundee or if you do, this is a great place to learn about it or learn more. I knew that Dundee had produced jute in the past, but I wasn't really sure what it was and what it was used for besides rope. I learned a lot and picked up some items as well that I can use in daily life.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your 5-star review, we really appreciate it!
Written 25 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Isobel S
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Spent a wonderful afternoon visiting this exhibit to Dundee’s past as a world producer of jute. The homemade lentil soup and cheese scones were both delicious-made in the premises and served by two very friendly assistants! Definitely worth a visit.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your 5-star review! We are so glad you enjoyed your visit and will pass your lovely comments on to our team. Thanks!
Written 9 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jean M
Glasgow, UK8 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Lovely visit to this museum and learned so much (think yourself lucky you weren’t born poor in Dundee in the 1800s). We were only in Dundee for an overnight stay and so glad we’d organised a visit here. Everything was very well organised and presented and the staff were great. We can heartily recommend the cafe! We bought tickets in advance in conjunction with Discovery Museum and saved a lot of money. Not to be missed!
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your lovely review! We are glad you enjoyed your visit so much and hope to see you again soon. Thanks!
Written 9 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Deborah B
Eastbourne, UK16 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I really enjoyed looking around this fascinating place. John the volunteer gave a lot of insights into the textile industry in Dundee. The exhibits were easy to navigate as well. Has some Dundee cake in the cafe. Prices are reasonable and the staff are friendly.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your 5-star review! We will pass your lovely words on to John and the rest of the team. Hope to welcome you back again!
Written 9 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BrummieOnExmoor
Herefordshire, UK23 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
My husband and I visited this fascinating museum during a tour of Scotland’s East Coast. It is situated in Dundee, about 20 minutes walk from our hotel down near the Tay and the new V & A. It is a little hidden away but not too tricky to find. It is dedicated to the history of the city’s important Jute industry, that dominated the economic life of Dundee for many many decades. It also however, covers the lives of those who worked in the industry, and considers its relationship with shipping, ship-building and whaling, three other pivotal industries for the city.

The museum is situated in a handsomely restored jute mill. The workings of the industry and the raw material is explained, and there are opportunities to see many of the original machines operating. The many uses are shown, with interesting and imaginative exhibits. If all this sounds slightly dry and school-like, please don’t allow me to mislead you, because it is not. The volunteers who show you round and demonstrate the machines are knowledgable, enthusiastic and amusing, and endlessly helpful.

The two best bits, for me were:

First, the amazing Boulton and Watt Steam Engine from 1801. This is so rare, because it is so old, and still in working order (though not with steam) making this of world class importance as an exhibit. And it was made in my own home town, Brum!

Second, the superb, original, immaculately preserved, office, with the huge wooden desks and filing cabinets, the ancient typewriter and copying tool for making duplicates of letters. Brilliant.

There is also a nice little shop, a very good café and excellent, clean loos.

We thought this was one of the most interesting and best staffed museums we have visited in ages. Thank you very much for a great visit.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words - we are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your visit as much as you did! We'll pass on your wonderful feedback to the rest of the team, who will be delighted. Hope to welcome you back again!
Written 27 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Viv B
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
What an amazing place and a fantastic team. We had our whole wedding here and it couldn't have been a better experience. The backgrounds to photographs are spectacular and it was great to show our Dundee Heritage to our family and friends. A shout out to Elle who led us through our journey and was always happy to assist. Food was also great and friends and family couldn't have been complimentary about the whole day. Thank you all for making our day so special.
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your 5 star review! We're delighted that you enjoyed your special day so much and will pass on your feedback to Elle and the team.
Written 19 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

4407KR
Northumberland, UK528 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
. . . truly represents the history of Dundee. Welcomed by enthusiastic staff and informative displays. Good to see others enjoying the same. Dundee deserves to have it's history cherished . . . and indeed rejuvenated.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 star review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit. We're currently undertaking research - if you'd like to share your valuable insights as a recent visitor, please feel free to complete our short survey: http://tinyurl.com/verdantworkssurvey
Written 5 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

…
Showing results 1-10 of 990
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

VERDANT WORKS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Verdant Works


Restaurants near Verdant Works: View all restaurants near Verdant Works on Tripadvisor