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Glasgow Police Museum
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Glasgow Police Museum

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Glasgow Police Museum
4.5
#10 of 443 things to do in Glasgow
Speciality Museums
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
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About
The Glasgow Police Museum illustrates the history of the Glasgow Police 1779 - 1975, through artifacts, stories and images. Its International Room has uniforms and insignia from EVERY country in the World. WE ARE NOW ON 'WINTER HOURS' - OPEN 2 DAYS PER WEEK - ADMISSION FREE - NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Address
Neighbourhood: Merchant City
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See what travellers are saying
  • JC
    Oxfordshire, United Kingdom27 contributions
    Unique museum- go if your interested in the Police!
    This was a good little find for an hour in the city of Glasgow. We stumbled across it and popped in. A small museum ran by volunteers, who were very knowledgable on policing history in Glasgow, clearly had a passion. The second room had a collection of international uniforms including hats, different forces badges and emblems. The volunteers were very friendly and had a good discussion regarding the collection. If you have an interest in policing it is well worth a visit for an hour.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 December 2022
  • Ellie H
    London, United Kingdom5 contributions
    Brilliant find
    Absolutely superb little museum. Perfect to spend an hour in, and not an overwhelming amount to take in, it was just right. Run by volunteers who are ex-police with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for history. Fascinating. Would highly recommend.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 January 2023
  • terence c
    Folsom, California14 contributions
    Best little museum in Glasgow!
    This past summer we made our first trip to Glasgow. We always walking around the cities we travel, and based the reviews of this museum, we made a point of visiting. It was truly one of the highlights of our trip. The retired coppers showing us around were engaging, funny and just so appreciative that we came by. If you are visiting Glasgow - you should really put it on the top of your to-do list! And it's FREE ADMISSION - Brilliant!
    Visited July 2022
    Written 12 February 2023
  • OfficerSausages
    Glasgow, United Kingdom60 contributions
    Small but good!
    We visited today with our three year old. Museum is small but very interesting. My three year old really enjoyed the little Lego challenge and is very proud of his certificate! The two staff members were so friendly and clearly very knowledgable too.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 April 2023
  • shosho75
    Glenrothes, United Kingdom6 contributions
    Brilliant discovery
    This was a great find - really good for all ages and well worth the visit. The two gentlemen who showed us around were so knowledgeable and made the tour really interesting while also leaving us to make our own way round. Plenty of exhibits and great information and facts. Very well kept and will definitely be back. A lot of effort is made in the exhibition and the tour and it was lovely to speak to people who are passionate about what they do. Thoroughly recommend the visit!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 17 April 2023
  • twograndchildren
    Strathaven, United Kingdom19 contributions
    Hello,Hello,Hello
    Our first visit to the museum today with our 2 granddaughters.We all enjoyed the experience.The clipboards are great for children. We felt very welcome.The 2 gentlemen on duty were informative & friendly. Will definitely recommend to family & friends. Thank you for making our day in Glasgow more fun.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 20 July 2023
  • Gord C
    2 contributions
    About Law and Order, but friendly and relaxed.
    The best part of the visit was speaking with the staff. They were most engaging and knowledgeable. As a curator of a small museum, I appreciated how they introduced the museum to the visitor and were there to point out significant artefacts and stories. Well worth a visit, easy to access from Central Glasgow.
    Visited August 2023
    Written 12 August 2023
  • thistle-do-nicely
    Kilmarnock, United Kingdom630 contributions
    Staff make the visit
    A very small museum space in Glasgow, but absolutely crammed with impressive exhibits. The staff are brilliant and answered all our questions. You can spend an hour just looking, but there are loads of stories, anecdotes and historical pieces that if you only read half of them you could easily spend a couple of hours. We will return to read what we missed. In our opinion, along with the Kelvingrove and the more famous museums this is a must visit when in Glasgow.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 17 August 2023
  • Pannipannini
    Maryland1,284 contributions
    Well curated interesting stop
    We spent about 1.5 hours here. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The exhibits are extremely thorough and well worth a read. It’s a part of Glasgow’s uncensored history. It’s too bad that the museum is confined to this small space despite its large (untapped) collection. The City ought to find these folks a worthy spot…it’s definitely a must see.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 August 2023
  • gillg
    Perth, Australia1,900 contributions
    A really informative snapshot of policing
    Quirky, interesting little museum. Easy to access, up on the first floor in one of the old buildings. Coincidentally the stairs are black and white checks. Bob introduced himself and was a wealth of info. Appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm. Very interesting chronological exhibition. Interested historical cases. Highly recommended. Free admission but donations appreciated to assist in the collections upkeep. Thanks very much!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 12 September 2023
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4.5
527 reviews
Excellent
369
Very good
129
Average
24
Poor
4
Terrible
1
MarkAnthony1963
9 contributions
Excellent museum and incite into the history of policing in Glasgow.
Nov 2023 • Family
I visited with my son and really enjoyed learning about the proud history of the Glasgow police force. The displays were very interesting and full of artifacts illustrating the variety of work carried out and the bravery of these officers concerned. The international police section showd a huge array of police uniforms from around the world the best I've seen. The staff on duty at the time were very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. There is a great deal of deserved pride in the museum and rightly so, very well worth a visit.
Written 15 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.
Jacky H
1 contribution
The best and most interesting museum to visit
Nov 2023 • Solo
I was pleasantly surprised at what a great museum to visit. It isn't very big but it is so well set out and there was so much information to absorb. The 2 gentleman that greeted me when I arrived were so friendly and helpful and had so much knowledge to pass on. The displays were brilliant and so organised.
I would thoroughly recommend anyone to visit it as it was very interesting.
Written 7 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.
Grahame Elliott
Wylam, UK110 contributions
Worth a visit
Oct 2023 • Family
Myself and my son visited the Police Museum. We were greeted by Eddie - a very friendly ex police officer.
The museum is quite small, which we knew beforehand, but has a wealth of artefacts from all over the world aswell as a lot of history on Scottish policing. Eddie had numerous facts/ stories to tell us and really made our visit - thankyou!
Written 30 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.
Anne M
Liverpool, UK25 contributions
Bob(ies)
Oct 2023 • Couples
Had a lovely visit to thos really interesting museum.
Was given a personal tour and got some good local history too.
Bob Manuel what a lovely mam.
Would recommend for a quick visit
Written 25 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.
Victoria
Vancouver, Canada2 contributions
Compact yet comprehensive with enthusiastic and knowledgeable keeper
Oct 2023 • Solo
An excellent museum of how Glasgow police emerged, and insights on how certain aspects were the first ever in UK. I was also surprised learning about women in police as early as 1910s. The museum keeper is a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable man you will enjoy talking to as he is most eager to have your questions answered
Written 23 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.
Wendy M
Portarlington, Australia113 contributions
Worth visiting!
Sep 2023 • Couples
This wasn't on our radar to visit, but given the rain in Glasgow, we needed to get in out of the weather. However, we were given a warm welcome at the door and this little Museum is very interesting and I do recommend a visit. Some interesting stories to read!!
Written 14 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.
Andy C
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK44 contributions
Very interesting.
Oct 2023 • Solo
Lovely little museum in the Merchant City area. This is a museum of the history of Glasgow police and displays of old uniforms and batons and stories of the history of this Police force. I found this very fascinating.
Written 12 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.
CaleyDeer
Southampton, UK59 contributions
Very interesting museum - well worth a visit
Oct 2023 • Family
Very informative museum and the staff very helpful. Although small it has the whole history of police in Glasgow along with descriptions of some of the cases handled. Lots to read with examples of the uniforms over the ages.

Written 3 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.
gillg
Perth, Australia1,900 contributions
A really informative snapshot of policing
Sep 2023 • Solo
Quirky, interesting little museum.
Easy to access, up on the first floor in one of the old buildings. Coincidentally the stairs are black and white checks.
Bob introduced himself and was a wealth of info. Appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm.
Very interesting chronological exhibition. Interested historical cases.
Highly recommended.
Free admission but donations appreciated to assist in the collections upkeep.
Thanks very much!
Written 13 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.
0verTheRainbow
South Lanarkshire, UK29 contributions
Visiting Glasgow? Don't miss this!
Sep 2023 • Solo
A small museum with a large amount of history about the first British professional police force. Exhibits are well laid out, clearly labelled. The staff are former police officers with expert knowledge full of enthusiasm about the subject matter.
Written 12 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.
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GLASGOW POLICE MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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