Glasgow Police Museum image

Glasgow Police Museum

Tourist attraction Museum

👍👍 Wow, what a little hidden gem in Glasgow! A small, but well stocked museum giving you the history of policing in Glasgow. Run by extremely friendly volunteers whom served within the police force, they love to tell you little tidbits of history. My fiancé absolutely loved it here. Highly recommend a... People often mention police, museum, Glasgow, interesting, history, visit, staff, small, friendly, uniforms,


Address

First Floor, 30 Bell St, Glasgow G1 1LG, United Kingdom

Website

www.policemuseum.org.uk

Contact

+44 141 552 1818

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (531 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: 12 to 4:30 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: police (58) museum (53) Glasgow (32) interesting (28) history (26) visit (24) staff (22) small (20) friendly (15) uniforms (14)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Kathryn H. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow, what a little hidden gem in Glasgow! A small, but well stocked museum giving you the history of policing in Glasgow. Run by extremely friendly volunteers whom served within the police force, they love to tell you little tidbits of history. My fiancé absolutely loved it here. Highly recommend a visit. Plus, it’s free, but donations are welcomed.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Katrina S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very helpful guides at the museum with a complete history of the Scottish police force tucked into a small place. Really interesting collection of uniforms, badges, and pins. I liked learning about cases solved by the force including bank robberies and grizzly murders. Also impressive is the collection of international police uniforms. The owner told us he has even more not on display that he was able to show us pictures of! Definitely recommend this small free museum to any tourist in the area.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Writing R. 2 years ago on Google
    I was amazed at how much this small museum contains. The Glasgow Police Museum has over 2,000 uniforms, badges and artifacts from every single country in the world! Yes, every single country in the world! But this museum has only 2 small rooms to display. The history and education is so rich, and diverse - literally representing every country. I have never been so excited visiting a museum like we were. I actually met the curator (forgot his name) and took some pictures with him. They were so kind and professional, not even asking for donations, but we obliged. Thank you so much folks! What a shame to see other large museums like Glasgow national museum having larges spaces/rooms to display just a few arts from unknown elite artists and spending literally millions on some bizarre irrelevant art!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 suzanne s. 2 years ago on Google
    It's a lovely museum. Educational. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. You have a tour guide to show you round and tell you about the police history. There's so many different types of uniform and each tells a story. It's a good day visit for a family.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ольга �. 6 months ago on Google
    The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to share information. The museum is small, depending on how deep you go into the topic, you can spend there from a few minutes to a couple of hours.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peggy L. 5 months ago on Google
    A hidden gem! Loved the displays, simply well-curated. The kind and passionate gentlemen who ran the museum were knowledgeable and friendly. When they heard that we are travelling all the way to Edinburgh, they told us to visit House of Bruar, which we did. We really appreciated the tip as we had a blast shopping at House of Bruar!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ritsu O. 1 year ago on Google
    Just drop by. You don’t need to book but be careful of the open days of week. A Gentleman privately have collected his collections. He’s very kind. You can find very rare things such as North Korea’s and Libya’s uniforms!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Roberto B. 4 months ago on Google
    I visited in August. A lovely museum run with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, I had a great time there. Absolutely recommended
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ean W. 5 years ago on Google
    Great look into the Glasgow's police history. You have to know that it's there to find it. There is a lift and disabled access but it's a bit of a squeeze but the staff were were very willing to help and very knowledge.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joanne B. 3 years ago on Google
    An interesting history of the police force with lots of interesting stories and objects. It's free, friendly people working there, and definitely worth a visit or two.

  • 5/5 Fiona S. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is phenomenal! according to my son but I don't disagree. This is a great wee museum with very knowledgeable (ex-police) staff! There is so much to see and learn when you are there... with quizzes for the little people as well... we will be back!

  • 4/5 Thomas Q. 2 years ago on Google
    Look out for this. You probably won't notice this place at first. It's small, one floor up, quiet, only open twice a week and has a small entrance to the side of a large restaurant. But the Glasgow police have an interesting story to tell. For a start there history go several years before Peel thought of the idea, they pioneered many things that became standard such as using telephones/ police boxes, training dogs etc. Several interesting criminal cases are featured, e.g. Bible John. While some exhibits are interesting, it's the friendly, informative staff that make the experience.

  • 5/5 joanne m. 3 years ago on Google
    Great lil museum and the only one open in Glasgow when we visited. We got there for opening time and were greated shown the way around and our info was taken for track and trace. Lots of stuff to look at. A lot of useful info boards many contain great stories of criminals there crimes and how they got caught. Very knowledgeable staff who answered my sons never ending questions. In all fantastic can see why it's the best museum in Glasgow!!

  • 5/5 Paul C. 3 years ago on Google
    Really friendly and nice staff

  • 5/5 Caleb K. 3 years ago on Google
    Can't believe how interesting this actually was! Nice little Police mesuem hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Glasgow Definitely worth a visit, and as it was free I definitely had no problem dropping a few quid in the donation box, much prefer this than a fixed price.

  • 5/5 Colin M. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent hidden gem. Very helpful guides, ex force too so lots of inside knowledge. Great little set up, telling the interesting history of the Force. Well worth your time and effort.

  • 5/5 Lorraine T. 1 year ago on Google
    A brilliant experience which we became aware of on the hop on / hop off tour bus. Our visit was enhanced by the knowledge and personal input of the curators, both of whom were retired police officers. Well worth a visit.

  • 5/5 William L. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice & pleasant time,very informative day ! 👌

  • 5/5 Rick J. 4 years ago on Google
    Very informative. It's free, but please leave a donation.

  • 5/5 lina l. 4 years ago on Google
    Very informative, lovely staff. Nice day out for the family.

  • 5/5 betty h. 4 years ago on Google
    You are greeted with a lots of interestung facts about the history of Glasgow police there. The eldest police force in uk. Definetly worth to visit!!!

  • 5/5 Sandrine M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful visit of this private museum! The "guide" is the owner of all these wonders from around the world. Some small souvenirs that you can buy ,. A must to do in Glasgow !! (Original) Magnifique visite de ce musée privé ! Le "guide" est le propriétaire de toutes ces merveilles du monde entier. Quelques petits souvenirs que vous pouvez acheter,. Un lieu incontournable à faire à Glasgow !!

  • 5/5 Jörg M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A small but very, very fine museum. Two former police officers received us extremely friendly and courteous. In addition to all the exhibits from the history of the police in Glasgow, they also told many stories and background information. This visit was really worth it. Thank you, thank you again. (Original) Ein kleines, aber sehr, sehr feines Museum. Zwei ehemalige Polizisten empfingen uns äußerst freundlich und zuvorkommend. Neben all den Ausstellungsstücke aus der Geschichte der Polizei in Glasgow, erzählten sie auch vielen Geschichten und Hintergrundinformationen. Dieser Besuch hat sich wirklich gelohnt. Vielen, vielen Dank noch einmal.

  • 5/5 Bill & S. 9 months ago on Google
    Really enjoyed our visit! Tons of memorabilia very knowledgeable hosts (x coppers of course) and like other reviewers loved the uniforms of the world. The museum and a bonus of a lovely dog who while not a “police dog” happened to be there was a delight.

  • 5/5 Amanda D. 5 months ago on Google
    Really recommend this 'hidden' museum. Very informative and friendly staff, with information about the 'darker' side of Glasgow's streets. Displays the Stone of Scone and a great collection of international police uniforms.

  • 5/5 Berk B. 6 months ago on Google
    Small museum, free admission. But there is really deep history of Scotland Police Department. Entrance may scare you but no worries. Staff is really great and explains everything!

  • 5/5 Erik F. 8 months ago on Google
    Great exhibits including the beginning and history of the local police as well as several exhibits of a variety of events (mysterious murders, IRA activities, etc.) that occurred in the city. Hosts provided a great introduction then allowed you to move through at your own pace. They checked in occasionally to answer any questions. Very knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to chat. Not easy to spot from the street but push the call button, they'll buzz you in, climb one set of stairs.

  • 5/5 Niki P. 9 months ago on Google
    This was definitely a hidden gem in Glasgow. We spent a lovely hour here and the hosts were exceptionally knowledgeable and very personable. Entry is free, just buzz up the stairs from the key pad on street level, but donations are welcomed (cash or card accepted).

  • 5/5 ENG. Ahmed Z. 10 months ago on Google
    Great staff/volunteers at the museum, very welcoming and have good collections even I found Egyptian uniform there. Thank You.

  • 5/5 Yannick E. 9 months ago on Google
    Very unique and interesting museum. We went in with zero expectations and were greeted at the entrance with a short and personal introduction to the museum and its contents. The museum provides a detailed look into the history of the glasgow and scottish police. Huge and impressive collection of international police memorabilia. The curator of the international section gave us a personal tour, providing many stories and background information for many of the display items that made this experience so much better. Definitely recommend this (free) museum to anyone.

  • 5/5 Nicolas S. 9 months ago on Google
    It is an interesting little museum. Absolutely worth the detour if you're visiting Glasgow. Very friendly and welcoming owners. A quite  impressive collection, considering that it is privately owned and put together over several decades. There is no entrance fee. However, a donation would certainly praise the effort and care put into the museum.

  • 5/5 joyce .. 10 months ago on Google
    Another FREE museum. This hidden gem should be publicised more. It deserves a better sign. You have to speak to the minicom for being let in. We were greeted by two retired police officers, one of which had serviced in the force for 34 years. They were so passionate and proud of the force. Although the museum is relatively small, there are full of facilating history, bravery stories and medals. I particularly liked the display of police uniforms from other countries.

  • 5/5 Oriola D. 1 year ago on Google
    It's so good to visit. This tells u the history of how Scottish police is the first police in the uk

  • 5/5 Jessica A. 1 year ago on Google
    My little one loved the quiz and the certificate you get after. I couldn't enjoy 100% due my kids but is a really interesting place to visit. Staff was so nice . The cleaning lady was a star too!!

  • 5/5 Raphael Kästle (. 1 year ago on Google
    A small museum but definitely worth a visit. You get the whole history of the Glasgow Police and you get the chance to have a chat with the incredibly nice people who are taking care of the museum. not only about the Glasgow police but also about how they get police uniforms from all over the world.

  • 5/5 Daniel 1 year ago on Google
    This is a very small museum, hidden a way in an inconspicuous building, but it is packed with so much information (interesting stories about the police forces past) that we were able to occupy ourselves here for well-over an hour and could have lasted longer if our baby daughter didn't want to get moving. The staff were really friendly and clearly care for the place a lot. Highly recommended for a visit if you happen to be in the area.

  • 5/5 Mikala N. 1 year ago on Google
    Great little place! The tour guides were very knowledgeable and it was filled with interesting stories and artifacts. Loved the checkered floor pattern!

  • 5/5 odin van h. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing museum and the people working there are so passionate. Thank you for the tour! Must visit when in Glasgow!

  • 5/5 Laura F. 1 year ago on Google
    Small museum with interesting curios that packs a lot into a small space. I particularly liked the police box, the sections highlighting notable female police officers from the Glasgow police and the international police uniforms exhibit. The staff (retired police officers themselves) challenge you to find a country they don't have something from! (I was amused to see they even have a Manx police helmet!) The staff clearly enjoy sharing their knowledge and I found out quite a few interesting facts from them I wouldn't have got from the exhibits alone.

  • 5/5 Pedro de P. 4 years ago on Google
    Five stars for the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers, ex-policemen, who make this a great small museum. Free entry. If you are in the area, drop in for a short visit. If you are more interested, the text with the items brings great depth in detail. Entrance a bit difficult to find though, so posted a picture. Recommend the museum to put a big sign at entrance.

  • 5/5 littlechesney 1 year ago on Google
    In town for concert popped in for visit. The 2 gents we spoke to were very friendly and knowledgeable. Great exhibit with local history and a vast selection of police uniforms and badges from around the world.

  • 4/5 Jean B. 3 years ago on Google
    Very good and Informative. Staff were very helpful and took time to explain and elaborate with points of interest. Well worth a visit.

  • 4/5 Dave W. 4 years ago on Google
    Very informative staff

  • 5/5 Matheus B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Incredible place, I was admired for the work of a lifetime, in collecting all these items with my own effort. When I went I thought it was a museum created by the Scottish government, when I discovered that it was a private collection I was even more admired. Congratulations ???????? (Original) Lugar incrível, fiquei admirado pelo trabalho de uma vida, em colecionar todos esses itens com o próprio esforço. Quando fui achei que era algum museu criado pelo governo escocês, ao descobrir que se tratava de uma coleção particular fiquei ainda mais admirado. Estão de parabéns ????????

  • 5/5 Richard B. 4 years ago on Google
    This is one of the guys who run it's private collection. It's very impressive. Where was the first British police force? Robert Peele's force in London? Wrong! They teach you the wrong things in school, come to this museum, only open Tuesdays & Sundays, & learn the truth.

  • 4/5 Pauline M. 4 years ago on Google
    Informative and interesting. A very small museum and would benefit from larger premises.

  • 5/5 Morag C. 4 years ago on Google
    Lots of history about Glasgow police. Excellent display of police uniforms from around the world

  • 5/5 Maëva G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Friendly place, which traces the history of the police, moreover, the staff are really pleasant and will answer all your questions! I recommend ! (Original) Lieu sympathique, qui retrace toute l'histoire de la police, de plus , le personnel est vraiment agréable et répondra à toutes vos questions ! Je recommande !

  • 5/5 Massi T. 3 years ago on Google
    Musée très agréable à visiter pour découvrir l'histoire de la police au sein de Glasgow et plus largement au royaume uni. Le personnel est vraiment très agréable et chaleureux.

  • 5/5 clive m. 3 years ago on Google
    Well worth visiting ?

  • 5/5 Tanya C. 3 years ago on Google
    This was the only open place in Glasgow and it was brilliant. Very friendly people work there and collection represents perfect the history of the Glasgow Police.

  • 5/5 Ka H. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place for short trip

  • 5/5 Copper T. 4 years ago on Google
    Really interesting place. Learnt lots about the origins of the Police. Worth a visit.

  • 5/5 goh r. 4 years ago on Google
    Very informative and explain the history of Glasgow police!

  • 5/5 Andrew H. 4 years ago on Google
    Really interesting with loads of rare and unusual exhibits. The Manuel fingerprint card in particular was a great surprise.

  • 5/5 Pamela M. 4 years ago on Google
    Very knowledgeable staff, interesting wee museum of Scottish police. Worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Dave G. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent museum with a look back at the Glasgow Police Force. Fantastic staff all ex police officer's

  • 5/5 Julie B. 4 years ago on Google
    Really interesting wee museum set up & run by ex-cops. A wee hidden gem in the centre of Merchant City. It's free but donations are welcome.

  • 5/5 alexis B. 4 years ago on Google
    Must see free museum. Gives you a unique perspective on Glasgow police

  • 5/5 Ian T. 4 years ago on Google
    A most excellent museum of police uniforms and insignia

  • 5/5 Angie C. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a little gem of a museum. Staffed by ex serving policemen who are interesting & informed & who make you feel very welcome.

  • 5/5 Marek S. 4 years ago on Google
    I didn't want to go here at first, but I am glad that I did. It was an awesome experience and the history of the Glasgow police is really interesting. They have all the important artifacts of the past and you call see with your own eyes what Glasgow Police was all about. The staff was very helpful and I was the only one there, that is the sad thing.

  • 4/5 Maria Stella Z. 4 years ago on Google
    A little bit small but very interesting!

  • 5/5 Karen T. 4 years ago on Google
    Compact and informative and very interesting.

  • 5/5 Kari S. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting little Museum, and knowledgable staff. Worth taking the time to visit

  • 5/5 Anthony C. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved it and the lads on duty were great ?

  • 5/5 Stefan O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I also found the uniform from Romania in the oldest police service (Original) Am găsit și uniforma din România în cel mai vechi serviciu de politie

  • 5/5 Simon S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Quaint and infatuated. With great attention to detail. (Original) Urig und infomativ. Mit viel Liebe zum Detail.

  • 5/5 David A. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting.

  • 5/5 Simon M. 4 years ago on Google
    Absolutely fantastic! Well worth a visit

  • 5/5 vanita N. 4 years ago on Google
    It's very informative about Scottish and world police

  • 4/5 Andrea M. 4 years ago on Google
    Good little place for children who like police and a lot of interesting facts for the adults

  • 5/5 Beatriz G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) David and Eddie are wonderful! The museum is a grace, quite small, but full of history. (Original) David e Eddie são maravilhosos! O museu é uma graça, bem pequeno, mas cheio de história.

  • 5/5 w d. 4 years ago on Google
    Lots to take in

  • 5/5 William M. 4 years ago on Google
    Brilliant

  • 5/5 Mamen du s. 4 years ago on Google
    An amazing piece of history, a warm hospitality from host

  • 5/5 Mark S. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting museum. Great ex police staff. Small but lots of exhibits. A little bit hard to find, worth the perseverance. Especially liked the around the world uniform exhibit. Nice selection of related gifts. Thank you.

  • 5/5 ROW T. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice little museum with super friendly staff.

  • 1/5 iridis a. 4 years ago on Google
    No hard assets...

  • 5/5 Maÿliss 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A private museum to visit absolutely! Traces the evolution of the police in Scotland and presents a magnificent collection of police uniforms from around the world. Everything is very well explained both by the writings and by the managers who take the time to come and discuss the museum and their anecdotes about the police. A must in Glasgow! (Original) Un musée privé à visiter absolument ! Retrace l’évolution de la police en Écosse et présente une magnifique collection d’uniformes de police du monde entier. Tout y est très bien expliqué aussi bien par les écrits que par les gérants qui prennent le temps de venir discuter du musée et de leurs anecdotes sur la police. Un incontournable de Glasgow !

  • 5/5 ムジブMariner 4 years ago on Google
    Situated right in middle of Merchant City , the small museum showcasing the world's first police force . The claim that London Metro police is the oldest is false since The Glasgow Police Act 1800 was passed much earlier than the Royal assent to the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 was given( many thanks to wiki). The museum is open twice a week and has the history of Glasgow police described in its exhibits. The highlight is a room filled with police badges and uniforms from all around the world. Most friendly staff to greet and explain about the museum.

  • 4/5 Axel M. 2 months ago on Google • 56 reviews New
    A small museum run by enthusiasts.


Call +44 141 552 1818 Open on Google Maps

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