Treat yourself to an afternoon of glorious scenery and beautiful artwork when you visit the Burrell Collection, home to treasures both ancient and modern. Discover the wonders of the world gathered in one building and, best of all, admission doesn’t cost a penny. With free talks, walks and family workshops, there is always something to do and see in the museum and park grounds.
The Burrell Collection was made available to the public through the generosity of two extraordinary individuals. In 1944, the local shipping tycoon Sir William Burrell donated his private collection of 8,000 paintings, sculptures and other priceless pieces to the City of Glasgow Corporation. The trustees struggled to find somewhere suitable to house the works until they were endowed with another generous gift – the Old Pollock Estate – from Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald. Pollock Country Park forms part of that Estate and is a fitting home for such an extraordinary collection.
The custom-built museum building was completed in 1983, based on an award-winning design by the English architect Garry Basson. A striking combination of glass and brickwork, it combines an ultra-modern exterior with elements of the original collection, including reconstructions of some of the rooms from Sir William’s former home.
Take a stroll through the glorious wooded parklands before making your way into the glass-covered courtyard. Come face to face with Rodin’s brooding masterpiece “The Thinker” and admire the intricate moulding on the Warwick Vase, discovered amongst the remains of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli. Inside, you will find rooms dedicated to antique armour and weaponry, as well as sculptures and furnishings from Egypt, China and the Arab world. Finish off your afternoon with tea in the light-filled café, overlooking the park.
The Burrell Collection is open all year round except for the bank holidays over Christmas and New Year. To get there, simply catch a bus to Pollokshaws Road or a train to Pollokshaws West and walk through the grounds. If you have access to a car, parking is available on site for a small fee.
