If you are interested in the history of how people lived in Glasgow or just want to find a nice place to relax, do not miss the Glasgow People's Palace and its Winter Gardens. Have lunch, admire the exotic plants or the Doulton fountain and visit the free museum.
Below is my guide to plan your visit.
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Why visit the People's Palace in Glasgow?
The People's Palace is one of the top places to visit in Glasgow, even if you have only 1 day in the city (see my itinerary suggestion).
It is an icon of the city with a fascinating museum about the local history and culture.
The mix of the austere looking building with the glass winter garden is fascinating.
People's Palace, Glasgow
More pictures after the planning tips.
PLANNING TIPS - Glasgow People's Palace
Getting to the People's Palace
- It is the focal point of Glasgow Greens, South of the Glasgow Cathedral
- South East of central Glasgow
- Several local buses can take you to various sides of the Glasgow Green Park, or take one of the hop-on hop-off bus to the People's Palace - Pre-purchase your Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket in your own currency
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Visit Tips
- One of the top things to see when Visiting Glasgow in one day
- Glasgow People's Palace opening hours - 10am to 5pm
- Access to the Museum and the Winter Gardens is free
- There is often work on the glass of the Winter Gardens and part or all can be closed. However, the museum remains normally opened.
- Check out the latest info on the Museum Wesbite
Accommodations in Glasgow
Staying a night or more in Glasgow?
There is a large choice of accommodations with backpackers, hotels, rentals...
Check out the best rated accommodations in Glasgow and book
Doulton Fountain & People's Palace - outside
Before entering the Glasgow People's Palace, take time to admire the place outside. In the middle is the Doulton Fountain. Designed by A.E. Pearce it was first erected in Kelvingrove park in 1888.
The fountain is 14m high and is the largest terracotta fountain in the world.
The sculptures around its center depict Britain's 4 colonies: Australia, Canada, India and South Africa. Above are sculptures of soldiers and sailors and Queen Victoria presiding at the apex.
Walk around
Before entering you can also walk around the Glasgow People's Palace and enjoy its architecture. The rather austere building at the front gives place to the large veranda of the Winter Gardens at the back. Strict in the front, but party in the back!
Opened in 1898, it was intended to provide a cultural center for the poorer part of the city.
Palace's Winter Gardens
The Winter Gardens of the Glasgow People's palace is a really nice place to chill. On a cold and windy day, it provides a nice atmosphere with plenty of light.
A café is set up where you can enjoy lunch or tea. There are also many benches around to just sit and relax or admire the exotic plants. I really enjoyed my break in those Glasgow Winter Gardens.
However, note that, due to the fragility of the structure, this section may be closed when you visit.
People's Palace Museum
You can visit the museum in the People's Palace for free. It has a strange variety of items on display. Many show the life of the Glasgow inhabitants from 1750 to nowadays. It has quite a lot of information about housing and room examples.
Viewing Galleries
While visiting the Museum part of the People's Palace in Glasgow, do not miss the viewing galleries. You can see the inside of the Winter Gardens from different levels. From the higher one it is great to see the architecture of the dome.
You can also keep going higher and reach the viewing platform and binoculars to see the city. However, between the grid and the lack of altitude this was not the best view...
Want to see more about Glasgow?
- Check out my 1 day tour of Glasgow itinerary - read article
- Explore St Mungo's cathedral and its lower church - read article
- Admire the architecture of the University - read article
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