Glasgow Police Museum: Hours, Address, Glasgow Police Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Glasgow Police Museum
Glasgow Police Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
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 'SUMMER HOURS' - OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK - ADMISSION FREE - NO BOOKING REQUIRED
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Merchant City
Best nearby
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Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
479 reviews
Excellent
326
Very good
124
Average
24
Poor
4
Terrible
1
JohnMacCalman
Glasgow, UK329 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
The first police force in the UK was not in London but in Glasgow, Scotland. It is the UK’s first. The Glasgow Police Act became law on 30th June 1800 and it paved the way for cities throughout the UK.
This museum is a hidden Gem. It already has a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and very justified.
What is outstanding is the way all the artefacts are displayed with proper lighting so it is easy to take quality photos without reflection from the glass.
While the museum has a complete history of policing in Glasgow there is an incredible comprehensive collection of police uniforms, insignia and hats from around the world. They even have material from North Korea!
The staff on hand are delightful and very happy to tell the stories behind each exhibit.
Admission is FREE but you can make a donation. I suggest £5.
I have lived in Glasgow all my life, but learned so much from my visit.
This museum is a hidden Gem. It already has a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and very justified.
What is outstanding is the way all the artefacts are displayed with proper lighting so it is easy to take quality photos without reflection from the glass.
While the museum has a complete history of policing in Glasgow there is an incredible comprehensive collection of police uniforms, insignia and hats from around the world. They even have material from North Korea!
The staff on hand are delightful and very happy to tell the stories behind each exhibit.
Admission is FREE but you can make a donation. I suggest £5.
I have lived in Glasgow all my life, but learned so much from my visit.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bigaitch27
Rayleigh, UK142 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
An excellent history of policing in Scotland with some fascinating memorabilia and photos. The museum is staffed by friendly volunteers who are very knowledgeable .
Well worth a visit and only a short walk from central station.
Well worth a visit and only a short walk from central station.
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anne S
Leeds, UK384 contributions
May 2022
You do have to be a bit of a detective to find the entrance as the council won’t allow them to put signs up. You have to go in the door and press the intercom button to get access to this first floor museum. It’s staffed by volunteers who are all ex-policemen. They are very enthusiastic and keen to point out that Glasgow had the first official police force. The information boards and artefacts take you through the history right up to the 1970’s. There is so much information there that our visit took well over an hour. Well worth a visit, and we enjoyed it so much we made a donation even though it’s a free museum.
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
purpletravller
Glasgow, UK275 contributions
May 2022
Fascinating little museum which is well worth a visit. The volunteers are ex policeman and are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We spent 1.5 hours there but could have spent longer. So much to see and great to get some real live stories from the volunteers too. Thoroughly recommended.
Written 30 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kumack
St. Petersburg, FL494 contributions
May 2022
Privately operated museum. Something between a museum and collection. Interesting information about the local police history, and collection of uniforms an badges from police a round the world. Very small. A quick viewing under 30 minutes. Nice addition to other activities planned for the day
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Howard J
Leighton Buzzard, UK11 contributions
Apr 2022
Spent a good half an hour at the Glasgow Police Museum.Well worth a visit if you have any Policing connections. The museum itself appears to be a old Police station dating from a bygone time.Gives you the history of Policing in Glasgow from the very start up until the 1970’s. Helpful staff on hand if you required any further information.Save this museum for a wet afternoon.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Craig T
2 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
I didn't realise there was so much interesting history attached with the force in Glasgow.
Such an impressive collection, so informative and the staff were so friendly.
We thoroughly enjoyed our brief visit.
A great way to spend 45 minutes of your day 👍
Such an impressive collection, so informative and the staff were so friendly.
We thoroughly enjoyed our brief visit.
A great way to spend 45 minutes of your day 👍
Written 6 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JHA
Sheffield, UK4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
The displays are very informative. I love the fact that they honored so many fallen and great officers. The staff was also very friendly.
Written 6 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Siân & James
Glasgow, UK16 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
A braw wee place right in the heart of Glasgow! Volunteers were lovely men, full of information, insight and stories from their time in the force. Would absolutely recommend!
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
glasgow12_uk
Glasgow, UK53 contributions
Mar 2022
Calling all police persons in Scotland visiting or resident in Glasgow I would recommend a visit. Even if not in the police family this is a very informative place with many tales and history of the Glasgow police. Well presented by voluntary ex serving officers. Well done to all.
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Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kiddymylo W
Glasgow, UK14 contributions
Is it good for an 8 year old kid and two adults because we might go
ParkyYorkUK
York UK20 contributions
Hi there, Yes there are things that would grab a younger persons attention.
Sasa474
Glasgow, UK4 contributions
Is it suitable for 5 year old twins and a child almost 7. Thank you
Alastair D
Glasgow, UK1 contribution
Hi,
Yes, the museum is suitable for an 8 year old.
We have a Lego Manhunt for 5-8 yr olds, and a quiz for older children. A 'Junior Detective Award' certificate is awarded on completion.
We also have a colourful and interesting International display of police uniforms from all over the World.
We get many children, of all ages, visiting the museum who enjoy the experience. We are also a 'learning destination' for the Children's University.
I appreciate the historical displays may not hold their interest very long but there is MORE to the museum. Many children take part and enjoy the challenge of the children's activities and their parents have expressed their appreciation.
Looking forward to your visit.
Regards
A. Dinsmor
Curator
Frequently Asked Questions about Glasgow Police Museum
- Glasgow Police Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 - 16:30
- Mon - Sat 10:00 - 16:30
- Hotels near Glasgow Police Museum:
- (0.06 km) Merchant city luxury FREE PARKING
- (0.09 km) Fraser Suites Glasgow
- (0.14 km) Babbity Bowster
- (0.18 km) The Brunswick Hotel
- (0.24 km) Rab Ha's Hotel
- Restaurants near Glasgow Police Museum:
- (0.00 km) Mharsanta
- (0.01 km) Mharasanta
- (0.03 km) O'Neill's
- (0.03 km) Steak Cattle & Roll - Merchant Square
- (0.03 km) Connolly's Irish Bar