The Glasgow Police Museum
The Glasgow Police Museum is an Independent Accredited Museum set up and manned by volunteer members of The Glasgow Police Heritage Society (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No. SC029614). The Society is not connected to Police Scotland and receives no funding from them or Glasgow City Council. It is supported entirely by public donations. Click here to view the museum’s 2023 accounts.
Entry to the museum is FREE -NO NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE !! and if you enjoyed your visit and wish to make a donation to ensure the survival of the museum in these difficult times, this would be appreciated. The Museum is DOG FRIENDLY.
Brochure: Click here to DOWNLOAD our brochure which shows our location, opening hours and other information.
Location: The museum is situated on the first floor of 30 Bell Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1LG
SUMMER OPENING HOURS
(1 APRIL – 31 OCTOBER 2024):
OPEN SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK:
Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 4.30 pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 4.30 pm
HOW TO FIND US:
The Museum is situated at (First Floor), 30 Bell Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 1LG,
opposite Merchant Square.
Press button “1/1” in Entry System at main door to enter building. Choose stairs or an elevator to the 1st. floor.
Pedestrians
From High Street – follow the Brown Tourist Signs westwards along the left side of Bell Street and cross Albion Street. The museum is 20 metres on your left. See directional signs on litter bin and on the doors indicating the entrance foyer of 30 Bell Street.
From Trongate – Two Brown Tourist Signs on Trongate direct you northwards up either Candleriggs or Albion Street. At Bell Street follow the Brown Tourist Signs. See directional signs on litter bin and on the doors indicating the entrance to the foyer of 30 Bell Street.
From Ingram Street – Walk down Candleriggs to Bell Street, turn left then follow the Brown Tourist Sign on south (right) side for 40 metres. See directional signs on litter bin and on the doors indicating the entrance to the foyer of 30 Bell Street.
By Car / Cycle
Bell Street is ONE WAY for vehicles from Candleriggs to Albion Street (eastwards). Candleriggs is also one-way southwards from Bell Street.
Vehicle parking limited to ‘Pay and Display’ bays in Bell Street and surrounding streets.
There is also a Q-Park multi-storey (pay) car park entrance in Albion Street.
DO NOT PARK ON DOUBLE YELLOW LINES OUTSIDE 30 BELL STREET (TOW AWAY ZONE!!)
Cyclists follow the directions for cars and find the cycle racks on the south footway of Bell Street at the junction with Candleriggs (100 yards west of the Museum entrance) where you can secure your bike by padlock. There is also a ‘Cyclehoop’ secure Bikehanger outside 40 Albion Street near Bell Street. You will require the ‘Cyclehoop’ app. on your phone to use it. Cost starts at 15 pence for 30 minutes.
Disabled Access
Press buzzer 1/1 to be admitted to interior foyer.
If you are unaccompanied and need assistance, ask for assistance on the intercom at this point and a member of staff will assist.
There is an elevator (43 inches wide by 38 inches deep) to your right. It has manual doors which require to be fully closed to operate.
Take elevator to 1st floor.
The rest of the museum is on one level.
Toilets available but they are not ‘disabled toilets’.
The Glasgow Police Historical Exhibition
The Glasgow Police Historical Exhibition contains artifacts and text boards which provide a historical insight into the people, events and other factors which contributed to the founding, development and progress of Britain’s first Police force, the City of Glasgow Police from 1779-1975.
The International Police Exhibition
The International Police Exhibition in the museum illustrates the spread of policing throughout the World. Over 2000 items of insignia, headgear and uniforms from every country in the World are on display. Click here to Visit the International Police Collection Website.