The Burrell Collection

What a great museum - probably one of the best I've been to. The collection is vast and varied so there is something for everyone - and it is FREE! 1. Great for families as there are lots of places for kids to interact and get involved. 2. They had a special show of Degas (had to pay) that was stunning and so well displayed 3. Don't miss the short (3min) movie that shows on the basement outside the special exhibit - so well done. 4. Items are organized by theme, not by date, which makes the displays very interesting and gives a whole different perspective. 5. The grounds are wonderful and nice to walk and wander (dogs allowed) 6. Don't miss the "hairy coos" on the park grounds! Excellent collection of sculptures including the original "Thinker" by Rodin.

I visited the Burrell collection for the first time and was not disappointed. We got the 57 bus from the city centre to the beautiful Pollock park surrounded by highland coo's. The museum is free and the collection houses so many great pieces from sculptures like French sculptor Auguste Rodin's 'The thinker' and 'Eve after the fall. You will also find a lot of Chinese Buddhas, tapestries, potteries, furniture, religious sculptures and more which are all so wonderful and well worth a visit.

First visit to the Burrell after the refurb, and I left feeling a bit... meh. It's still a stunning building and a world-class eclectic collection of stuff, but I can't help feeling that it's lost much of what made it special beforehand. My main gripe is with the interpretation panels - these have been dumbed down to the point where they are just patronising. GCC seem determined to appeal to the 'woke' generation by writing the text for an average reading age of about 10. They've also tried to make the whole place appeal to younger visitors by installing 'interactive' exhibits with buttons and levers for small sticky fingers to push and waggle, push-to-start video panels, which by and large are condescending and irrelevant. I quite liked the deconstruction video of the Degas painting, but most of the rest were a waste of time, and again dumbed down to appeal to younger visitors. I'll mention the lighting (since that's my day job) - this is a sloppy install in places. There are a couple of open-ended rooms with wall-hanging tapestries, where the ones nearest the open end are not lit at all, because no lighting track has been installed where it needs to be. Backlit panels are cut off at the left hand side because the text has been placed too near the edge of the frame. Levels of uplighting are way too bright in places, angles to some pictures ensure that you can see nothing but reflection unless you're across the room... I could go on, but you get the idea that I wasn't impressed. The whole point of the Burrell collection is that it is one man's obsessive gathering of artefacts that pleased him. He didn't collect them because he thought they would be educational for small children, but because they appealed to an adult mind. Small children have no interest or appreciation in art like this; they just want to run around and make a lot of noise (which they were doing in abundance). If you want to educate your children, take them to Kelvingrove, where at least there is a Spitfire and a stuffed elephant to amaze them. But there is nothing for them here.

Fantastic renovations! Loved the 90 interactive videos. Cafe was fantastic too! Loved the sculptures and paintings too.

After reading that The Burrell was closing for 4 years(!!!) on the 23rd October for an extensive refurbishment process I thought I would make the most of a hangover free Sunday and head through the trees of Pollok Park and give it a visit. Being a child of the Southside I had been to The Burrell many, many moons ago but had never visited with a more mature mind. As some folk have said you can pay £1 to park and I was impressed with how busy it was given it had only been open for about half an hour by the time I arrived. Entry is free, although the suggested donation amount of £5 is more than fair. The collection is eclectic, something I appreciated, as it gives the sense of somebody who didn't take themselves too seriously and instead revelled in his wealth. Over the past couple of years I've acquired a new interest in painting and some of the exhibits here are of a very high quality. Whilst I also enjoyed the spacious courtyard and some of the more ancient pieces. There is a cafe which sounded like my idea of hell, all screaming kids and flustered parents, but for me the big win is the location. With the glass walls all around giving the impression of a far flung highland estate as opposed to the near-middle of a big city. I'm glad I took a wander down, 4 years is a long time and I'm interested to see what the new Burrell will provide. But for now, if you get a chance before next week, give it a go.

The Burrell collection was one of the great private collections of objets d'art and historical artefacts (although you can call them knick-knacks) in the world. Thankfully, the collection is now in public ownership and can be viewed free of charge. The collection is housed in a modern building in the middle of pollok park, making it easy to spend the day wandering around nearby Pollock house too. Entering in via a church-like entrance, be sure to pick up a free guide which'll give you an idea where each part begins & ends. It's quite easy to lose track of some of the collections so the guide does come in handy. There are some fantastic Chinese, Egyptian, Greek & Roman artefacts as well as a large collection of large Islamic styled ceramics and textiles. What's astounding is that the vast majority of the pieces are in fantastic condition. William Burrell also assembled an interesting collection of paintings ranging from some of the classic artists to the Glasgow Boys. The paintings are housed in the centre of the building, but as you almost have to turn back on yourself, it can be easy to miss! If you find yourself (or the kids) weary of all that art & history, there's a cafe downstairs. You can access it via stairs or lift which are opposite the way to the paintings. I didn't visit the cafe as I was going onto Pollok house, but from what I saw it looked to be doing a decent turn in trade. The cafe area has views out across the grass and would be a nice sun trap during spells of decent weather. I was pleased to see signs encouraging folk to post photo's on social media, which'll help publicise Glasgow's great museums and keep the donations coming in to ensure this great collection stays free for the public

This art gallery is a little like some kind of giant Aladdin's Cave. The story behind the collection is a great one - Sir Burrell was a Glasgow businessman in the first half of the 20th Century and had so much money that he just didn't know what to do with it. So he spent copious (and we're talking COPIOUS) amounts of money on buying artwork, sculptures, rugs, furniture, ceramics and in fact whole rooms. On his death, he bequested the whole collection to the city of Glasgow - with the proviso that it had to be displayed to the people of Glasgow on a permanent basis. And so this is where we come in. On any given day you can head to the building that houses the Burrell Collection (custom designed and built for the purpose, obviously) which is right in the middle of Pollock Country Park. Inside you'll find an amazing collection of, well, everything. Instead of just sticking to collecting one genre of art work, Burrell splurged on anything and everything. The gallery itself is very bight and airy, and you will find youself viewing stained glass windows, sculptures, medieval furniture, ancient Chinese ceramics, ancient Grecian pottery and an incredible selection of Persian rugs as well as the expected impressionist artwork. With a nice little cafe to boot, I highly recommend a visit to the Burrell Collection.

Lived in Glasgow my whole life and never visited till now, was very impressed, great location, great exhibits and fantastic venue Cafe is dire however don't waste your money there

Another reason why Glasgow rocks... is if we needed more! The Burrell collection (pronounced kinda in the same way you would say funnel... try it.) is yet another free thing to do in sunny (ish) Glasgow and as good a reason as any to make a wee trip to the southside of the city. OK, the history stuff: Old rich guy donates tons o' art work to the city... city put it on display, the end... can you tell i never paid attention in history? Set in the wonderful surroundings of Pollok Country Park, the Burrell makes a fine trip or even just a place to pop into for a coffee if you happen to be in the park...the cafe ain't exactly obvious in location so just ask. Make this a destination spot... aye it's maybe a little awkward to get to, aye it's just that little bit out the way compared to the rest of the Glasgow tourist sites, but its totally worth the trek! Done and dusted, you can now go back to whatever you were doing before i so rudely interrupted you.

First of all, there's nothing like a great big gorgeous museum in the middle of an idyllic park. This lovely, modern, light and airy building in the middle of Pollock Country Park is pleasing to gaze at from far away as part of your meanderings or up close should you choose to engage with the place. And if you are a lover of art, you should choose. This insane collection of over 9,000 works of art gifted to Glasgow by the mega-rich Burrells is a curator's wet dream. You can spend hours in here marveling over the beauties and structures from all over the world. There is also a pretty killer gift shop and a gorgeous cafe with huge windows and great food. Go here while the menfolk are grunting over the Old Firm match.

18 years! That's how long ago I landed in this city. I've been a permanent resident for 14 of those. Today was only the second time I'd set foot in Pollock Park. The first time was for work. That makes today the first time I chose to go to Pollock Park, and the Burrell Collection. If you're interested in ancient civilisations this is an absolute must visit. Relics from hunners of years BC from Egypt, China, Greece and Europe (I know, Greece is part of Europe, but it has it's own section) are on display in a building which is both very old and very new. Archways from various castles, temples and churches make up the doorways, around which is modern sandstone and glass and the effect is surprisingly good. Usually I hate old world and new world architectural combinations, but it seems to work here. The displayed items are quite stunningly presented, often in atmosphere controlled glass cabinets which you can get close to. Almost too close. There were kids running about and I had the fear of someone who is in the vicinity of a multimillion pound disaster waiting to happen. After milling around for a bit there's a cafe/restaurant with a good selection. I went for the chorizo and chick pea broth, which was all of the delicious. All of it. The Cafe is situated under a glass roof which looks out onto a grass lawn and makes for a very relaxing place. I could have spent hours just sitting here, if it weren't for those pesky kids!! Seriously people, if you have kids under 10, or kids over 10 who show no interest in history or culture, please please pretty please with sugar on top, please don't take them to museums like this.

The Burrell Collection is one of the gems of the city. To have a world class collection like this in Glasgow should make any resident proud. I would not try and take it in one visit. There is simply too much. Choose a tapestry or possibly a piece of amazing ceramic and simply take it in. There is enough here to enjoy for a very long time - as long as you take the time to enjoy it. Slow down and take your time - you don't get any points for finishing it fast or seeing the most number of things in the shortest amount of time. BTW - The gift shop is great - lots things for the giving season when you need something for those folks who are tough to buy for. Grab a cup of tea at the cafe as well - eat a sandwich and support the museum.

The Burrell Collection is one of the great (and free) museums in Glasgow. It is outside the city center, and well worth the drive. We were not disappointed. Parking is the only real expense, but we did stop for food at the Burrell Cafe, and I was happy with the veg chili and salad. There is also a museum store, if you want to get souvenirs from your trip to Glasgow, this might be the place to look.

"Lovely day out" Reviewed 25 November 2011 A great day out in Pollock park. Burrell's collection of ancient artefacts from around the world is exceptional. A couple of hours is all you need and it serves great coffee and cake... After Coffee and cake you've got the option of strolling Pollock park with the highland cows and perusing Pollock House. Pollock House has a great restaurant too... Visited August 2011

Having seen "Alight here for the Burrell Collection" at a number of nearby stations, I eventually thought I'd see what exactly The Burrell Collection was. Well, it's great. Situated in Pollock Country Park (which is worth a visit alone for a good walk/cycle and to look at highland cattle), The Burrell Collection is a fantastic museum showing off items collected by Sir William Burrell. Unfortunately my visit was cut short, however as it is on my doorstep it is high on my list of things to do on my next day off, and I will be adding to this review then!

This was an enjoyable addition for me to a nice walk around Pollok Park, and a welcome shift in temperature. There's some really interesting pieces in here, and well laid out so you know where you are and what you can expect. That being said, there are some curiousities in here that I was surprised were not behind a glass cabinet. It's also in a lovely clean elegant building, with lots of open space to move around. Well worth a look.

The Burrell collection is well worth a visit and the collection of art, textiles, sculptures etc has something for everyone. Allow at least an hour to look around, longer if you like to take your time. There is parking available for £1, the cafe is nice and has lovely views of the outdoors. There are plenty of walks around pollok park and even a play area for kids. Shame it'll be closed for a while, look forward to it opening again!

Situated in the depths of the south side, in the middle of a rather lovely park, The Burrell Collection is a quiet and intriguing addition to Glasgow's rich culture. In a purpose built museum, it houses a huge collection that is eclectic and wide, showcasing tapestries, archaic and medieval sculpture and pieces from as far afield as China and Egypt. Since it was based around one man's idiosyncratic collection, it hangs together more on his taste than any coherent approach. Nevertheless, this adds to its charm and makes a wander around the halls a series of delightful surprises. The cafe is a standard Glasgow Authority franchise: good food at fair prices, but hardly enticing. It does look out over the park and is perfect for a quick cup of coffee after a few hours on the culture trail. Certainly worth a visit, but its isolation from the city centre makes it a bit of a trek.

The Burrell Collection is a tremendous collection of arts and treasures hidden away in the woods of The Pollok Park. It really is a lovely place, a tremendous building housing all sorts of antiquities and curiosities. William Burrell gifted his art collection to Glasgow in 1944. It's a fine collection and renowned the world over. Medieval art, European classics and an important collection of Islamic Art all combine to make for a fascinating experience. And it's free! A must-see.

Isn't it amazing that one man collected all the items on display here? He collected over 9000 pieces of art which he donated to Glasgow in 1944, pretty generous, eh? I wish I had his knack of finding such goodies, when I'm hunting for treasures I usually only come across some flea bitten old stuff that nobody else wants. Set in Pollock Park a visit to The Burrell Collection will always ensure a fabulous day out for all the family, it's not just the items inside that are impressive but the gorgeous Pollock Park is beautiful for a picnic or a stroll especially on a beautiful summers day. I particularly like the items from ancient Egypt and really could spend a whole day here. What's more it is absolutely free so there is not excuse for not paying a visit to the good old Burrell!

A Richard Branson of his day, old Willie Burrell was certainly a bit of a hoarder He collected thousands upon thousands of artworks, trinkets and doo-dahs, and had the decency to donate them all to the city of Glasgow when he stopped breathing. Willie certainly knew his stuff, and thus the Burrell collection tends to provide a less populist and in some ways less accessible experience than Kelvingrove. That's more of a compliment than a criticism though, and The Burrell has for the 27 years it's been opened, revelled in it's status as a thinking man's museum. Perhaps even the jewel in the crown of Glasgow's tourist attractions, it has the added draw of being located in the tremendous Pollok Park. Unmissable.

The Burrell Collection is housed in a very attractive museum in Pollok Country Park. The old furniture is stunning and some of the pottery is very beautiful. There is generally a great atmosphere in this place and the far stretching ground are so relaxing and enjoyable to stroll in. The food in the restaurant downstairs is lovely although, I believe, a bit pricy! One could easily spend a great day here between the Burrell Collection itself, the grounds surrounding the museum and watch out for various events that take place in Pollok Country Park itself.

Sir William Burrell and his wife, Constance, Lady Burrell gifted his collection of over 9,000 works of art to Glasgow in 1944, and the resulting burrell collection which opened in 1983 is a fantastic free day out for all of the family. The light and airy building, its woodland setting within the pollok estate and the breadth of Sir William Burrell's collection make for a spectacular day out. At the Burrell Collection you can wander round important collections of medieval art, tapestries, alabasters, stained glass and English oak furniture. There are many European paintings, an important collection of Islamic art. The collection also includes a fine collection of works from ancient China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. The food in the child friendly restaurant downstairs is lovely. There is also a gift shop and plenty of seating throughout the building to allow the visitor plenty of time to sit and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the collections.

A real eclectic mix of exhibits and and artifacts donated by the Burrell estate and set within Pollok park. It's a museum I can remember visiting as a child and have visited again more recently with my own children and family. To be honest though I'm not sure this is one for the kids, certainly my own found it rather tiresome despite instructions that they will like it! I personally enjoy the museum and have been on a number of occassions as an adult, the exhibits are well laid out and well displayed and lit making it an informative and enjoyable experience with that classic museum quiet that I find particularly conducive to this type of afternoon out.

I loved going in The burrell collection with my grandparents, as it is something for a family to do As since then I am an art lovers, and my grandparents do have interest in the arts, so it is a good place for all of us to spend our free time to looks around and to chat and to critics the artist's handiwork etc. They have various of arts stuffs, such as ancient arts, asian arts, chinese arts, islamic arts, korean arts, roman arts, and erm, everything else, as I cannot be expected to remember everything inside this area. however if you have any little kids, be warned to keep them well in reins, as there are bounds to have some certain items to be accidently knocked off So I dont think it is suitable for little kids, while they do get bored that easily For me and my grandparents, it was well worth for all of us to go in there to have a lazy day to spend together to look around regardless of the weather, as since then it is indoors!

Fantastic day out. The museum is spacious and well laid out with excellent exhibits. Well worth a visit, not least to soak up the relaxing atmosphere. The cafe is also particularly good and gives good value for money.

There is a large part of me that wishes he had done more to help the more deprived areas of Glasgow with all this money - however what is done is done and the museum itself is stunning. The architecture had stood the test of time and is still the perfect backdrop for this amazing (if slightly bonkers) collection. The cafe is good and not over priced with stunning views out onto the park

Honestly, it's just okay. I did think the armor was cool, but I actually liked the bright building and cafe itself more than 95% of the showcased collection. There really wasn't anything overly unique here based on what I've seen at other museums, galleries, etc. and as a tourist, I really didn't need to go here.

Objectively it's an impressive collection of art and artifacts from a range of countries and periods. Quite a nice, light building as well and set in the first class Pollok park. If you like this sort of thing you can't go wrong with a visit. Unfortunately I find these places a bit boring but that's just me so I can't mark it down.

This is a great museum, in a great location. Lovely to visit on a Summer day, and have a walk around Pollok country park at the same time. The Burrell Collection is free to enter. There is also a very nice tea room and shop. Pollok House is also nearby and worth a visit (although you have to pay to go in here).

This is located within Pollock Estate. Parking located accross the road and a field beside it. The Burrell Collection is free to enter and suitable for wheelchair users. The collection can change with different art being shown. There is a selection of paintings, tapestrys etc. It is nice and airy inside and has something of interest for everyone. I don't particularly like art but i don't mind visiting this place and that says something!

The Burrell Collection is an unbelievable place. I have not been in here in a number of years, but I believe it was one man's collection that he donated to the city of Glasgow. There are loads of items to see and I especially liked the section covering ancient Egypt.

great collection building is like something from wimpey homes on steriods and sticks out in the grounds.

Architecturally this is the bastard child of an auction house and Ikea. It is filled with some very interesting things, very oddly displayed. There is something melancholy about beautiful stone doorways and mantlepieces hacked out of their buildings and then displayed in a white gallery. In many instances there was no attempt to integrate these objects with the space so the effect is unsettling. There are some stunning examples of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Chinese art. There are gorgeous tapestries and oriental carpets and medieval furniture, some in specially constructed rooms. The paintings section upstairs has some beauties but these are poorly lit and hard to enjoy. There's a fantastic Rembrandt self-portrait, some super Degas, a good Cezanne and more but you will have to squint. There's a very good and reasonably-priced cafe inside the museum and the surrounding park is a winner. The children's play park nearby is a just reward for little ones after the museum. Would like to see more content for the smaller visitors like the Chinese tea pagoda set up in the Chinese section for kids to play in. A dress-up section for the arms and armory section would be a big winner, a place to do some brass rubbings or other craft project would really make the place nicer for smaller folks. Overall a good experience as it was.

Main café is closed for refurb but they have transferred it temporarily upstairs. We were forced to queue and had a teeny tiny table but staff were apologetic. Not a huge amount of choice (well they wouldn't without a proper kitchen) but the refreshments and cakes are always good and reasonably priced. Good place to take the wee ones after a nice long walk and reward yourself with a coffee and some carrot cake yum!

lovely wee museum set in a beautiful park - well worth seeing if you hate museums as this one has everything a large museum has but in a smaller format and with views.