The Riverside Museum of Transport, located at Pointhouse Place in Glasgow’s West End, showcases transport memorabilia from across the globe. Visitors can view exhibits including steam trains, historic cars, trams, motorbikes, and much more. The museum is open 7 days a week, and entry is free.
| Address: | 100 Pointhouse Road, Partick, Glasgow, G3 8RS |
| Opening Hours: | Monday-Thursday, Saturday: 10 am-5 pm Friday and Sunday: 11 am-5 pm |
| Admission Price: | Free |
| Parking: | On-site car park |
| Contact: | 0141 287 2720 museums@glasgowlife.org.uk |
| Facilities: | Shop, restaurant, toilets, wheelchair access, hearing loop, baby changing, cloakroom |
| Photos: | YouTube Video |
Overview
One of the great things about Glasgow is the fact that it’s full of fantastic tourist attractions, many of which are completely free to visit. One free attraction that stands head and shoulders above most others is the Riverside Museum of Transport, situated on the banks of the River Clyde.
Inside, you’ll find everything from roller skates to bicycles, mopeds to cars, trams to trains, ships big and small, and every other possible mode of transport you can imagine thrown in for good measure.
You’ll also see everyday vehicles that are bound to bring a smile to your face. From the humble Raleigh Chopper to the Ford Cortina (both of which now have cult followings), you’re guaranteed to find something to bring back a flood of memories. In addition, there are lots of interactive displays that provide information on transport facts about each exhibit, so there’s an educational element too.
As you’d expect, most of this museum is dedicated to Glasgow’s industrial heritage so you’ll be able to discover the city’s links to shipbuilding during your tour as well as take a step back in time through a recreation of Glasgow’s streets. There’s even an old subway to explore between the rows of yesteryear shops.
If you’re visiting Glasgow and suddenly find yourself looking for an attraction to visit, you could do a lot worse than taking a trip to the Riverside Museum of Transport. It offers a good few fun-filled hours, and it won’t cost you a penny to enter.
The Highlights
1: The museum is designed to be highly interactive, making it ideal for families and children. Visitors can walk down recreated streets of Glasgow from different eras, explore the interiors of old subway carriages, climb aboard locomotives, and even participate in interactive displays that tell the story of transportation through the years.
2: The Riverside Museum houses over 3,000 objects that detail Glasgow’s rich history in transport and travel. The collections include everything from vintage cars, bicycles, and motorbikes to trams, buses, and trains. There’s also a significant collection of ship models reflecting Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage, as well as exhibits on the social history of transport.
3: The museum is in a great location next to The Tall Ship, so you can combine a visit to both attractions in one afternoon. In addition, though not free, the Glasgow Science Centre is situated a short distance away on the other side of the River Clyde, making a trip to this part of the city perfect for family days out.
Visiting Tips
1: The museum has a private car park if you don’t want to use public transport. However, if you want to use the bus, look for numbers 100, 17, 2, 77, or 90. If you intend to walk, be aware that the museum is around 50 minutes on foot from George Square in the city centre.
2: Combine your visit with a trip to The Tall Ship which is permanently moored outside the museum, or cross over the River Clyde to visit the Glasgow Science Centre.
3: If you need food, I recommend heading to The Tall Ship located at the front of the Riverside Museum, as the café inside is excellent and the food, though basic, is reasonably priced.
Tourist Information
Obviously, this is a museum, so you’ll be mainly walking around looking at the exhibits, but there are a few interactive displays you can get hands-on with too. The old-time Glasgow street is particularly well done and offers a unique experience where you can see what the city’s shops used to sell in days gone by.
If you’re more interested in the pub than shops, you can step inside an old spit-and-sawdust Glasgow boozer (no beer sold inside, unfortunately) before taking a wander into the recreated subway station for a pretend journey home. All these exhibits are fascinating, and the attention to detail is absolutely meticulous. So well done to the Riverside Museum for bringing the past back to life in such an interesting way.
Other exhibits you can interact with include restored trams and trains that you can clamber aboard, and an interactive fire truck that’ll give you an insight into how fires used to be put out before the introduction of our modern fire engines.
Perhaps best of all, there’s a huge number of modern vehicles that are nowadays sadly gone but not forgotten. How about the ill-fated Sinclair C5 (remember that thing?), the 70s blue 3-wheeled invalid carriage, or the old-school Ford Anglia and VW Beetle?
These vehicles all played an important part in our collective transport history and it’s great to see such well-preserved examples on display at The Riverside Museum for future generations to enjoy, even if contraptions like the once-high-tech C5 have aged spectacularly badly.
Elsewhere you’ll find an enormous row of cars mounted on a wall that features some real classics (1980s Porsche 911 anyone?), but in a bizarre design choice, some of the exhibits on the wall are mounted near the ceiling, so it’s very difficult to get a good look at them.
And finally, the Riverside Museum has another of Glasgow’s best free attractions parked right outside: The Tall Ship, which is moored alongside Pointhouse Quay. This grand old ship offers a step back in time to see what life would have been like sailing around the world at the turn of the last century. If you’d like to know more about it, read this article: The Tall Ship.
Things to Do
Explore the Vast Collection of Vehicles: The museum houses over 3,000 objects that detail the history of transport in Scotland. From vintage cars to horse-drawn carriages and an array of bicycles, you can immerse yourself in the evolution of vehicles at the Riverside Museum of Transport.
Step Back in Time on the Cobbled Streets: The museum’s recreated Victorian street allows you to travel back in time. Stroll down the cobbled lane, peek into the windows of vintage shops, and even look inside a subway station. It’s a unique way to experience the atmosphere and character of Glasgow in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Interactive Exhibits: The museum is not just about observing, but also about engaging. There are plenty of interactive exhibits that allow you to get hands-on experience such as climbing aboard a state-of-the-art electric locomotive. These interactive exhibits are fun for visitors of all ages.
Attend Learning Workshops: The Riverside Museum regularly organizes educational workshops that provide in-depth knowledge about specific aspects of transportation, from the Victorian era to WWII. It’s a great way for children to enhance their visit and learn something new.
Board the Tall Ship: Moored beside the museum is the Glenlee, one of only five Clyde-built ships of its kind in the world. Explore the cargo hold, venture into the captain’s quarters, and see the crew’s living quarters. There’s even a shop and a cafe on the lower deck.
Things to Do Nearby
The Tall Ship. 150 Pointhouse Rd, Stobcross Rd, Govan, Glasgow G3 8RS. 20-minute walk.
Located next to the Transport Museum on the bank of the River Clyde. The Tall Ship is a fully restored Victorian sailing ship that allows visitors to explore the historic vessel from bow to stern. There is a café and gift shop inside. Entry is free.
The Glasgow SEC. Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW. 15-minute walk.
Arts and exhibitions arena located on the bank of The River Clyde. The SECC is split into three different buildings which are the most distinctive in Glasgow. The Finnieston Crane is nearby and there are cafés and bars inside the centre.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG. 16-minute walk.
One of Scotland’s most-visited museums, Kelvingrove offers a diverse range of exhibits and artefacts from across the globe. The museum is situated near the west end of the 84-acre Kelvingrove Park. Entry is free.
Kelvingrove Park. 6 Professors’ Square, Glasgow G3 6BY. 18-minute walk.
One of the oldest public parks in Scotland. Kelvingrove Park features a collection of memorials, walking paths, sports areas, the River Kelvin and Kelvingrove Museum.
The Glasgow Science Centre. 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA. 18-minute walk.
This is a science and technology museum positioned on the bank of the River Clyde. The Glasgow Science Centre offers a collection of fun and informative interactive exhibits based on all aspects of science. There is also a tall rotating tower that offers panoramic views of Glasgow, an IMAX cinema, a planetarium, a shop and a café.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in the Riverside Museum?
The Riverside Museum houses a vast range of vehicles and models, spanning centuries of transport history. The exhibits include everything from vintage cars, trams, and buses to bicycles, locomotives, and ship models. There is also a recreated Glasgow street from the 1900s featuring shops, horse-drawn carriages, and a subway station.
Where did the Glasgow Transport Museum used to be?
The Glasgow Transport Museum used to be located at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. It was relocated in 2011 and is now known as the Riverside Museum, situated at Pointhouse Quay in the Glasgow Harbour.
Do you need to book the Riverside Museum?
The Riverside Museum does not need to be booked in advance. Admission is free.
How big is the Riverside Museum?
Glasgow’s Riverside Museum has a gross floor area of 118,000 square feet or 11,000 square metres.
