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Pollok House
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Pollok House is open every day throughout the year except 25 / 26 December and 1 / 2 January. Entry is free to the Servants’ Quarters all year and a charge is made for visiting the upstairs House only during summer months from 1 April to 31 October.
It is remarkable that a Country House like Pollok House has survived as it is within 15 minutes drive of Central Glasgow. The tranquillity of its surroundings allows visitors to enjoy the beauty and benefits of the Countryside without moving outside Glasgow.
The Trust’s aim is to present the House as a living house and home. The House is presented broadly as it would have been around 1930 when all the major changes had been made to the property. The original family of Maxwell of Nether Pollok lived in the house until 1966 when it was gifted to the City of Glasgow by Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald. First opened as a City Museum it passed to the Trust to manage the property for Glasgow in 1998. Since then the House and contents have been redisplayed to create a more lived in feel.
The busiest part of the House at any time of the year is the vast Servants’ Quarters in the basement. Even when the Maxwell’s lived here this would have been the case as there were 48 indoor staff to look after 3 family members after the house was expanded around 1900. Today the basement houses the Kitchen Restaurant and the range of shops. As you walk down the dramatic main corridor to the restaurant you sense the scale of operations needed to keep the House functioning. Half the visitors come solely to the restaurant because of its reputation for homebaking and fresh local produce. But to get the full effect you need to visit the upstairs to get the full impact of the differences for family and servants.
The House is famous for its spectacular collection of paintings collected by one member of the family, Sir William Stirling Maxwell in the mid 19th Century. Although a visit to the House centres on father and son Sir William and Sir John who expanded the small Georgian House into the house we see today, the family have connections to the estate dating back to 1270. The lively plasterwork and classical proportions stress the country Mansion but the small scale of the main Georgian house make it seem very liveable and most visitors could easily move in.
The paintings include major examples of the work of William Blake and one of the finest collections anywhere of the art of Spain at the zenith of its power from 1500 to 1700 – The Golden Age. Information around the House will help you understand the history and the purpose of this art. You will realise that political spin is nothing new.
The Seasons
Autumn Winter
When most Country Houses shut and visiting ceases Pollok House gets into its stride. The main event is Keeping Christmas at Pollok House which runs throughout December. The House is lavishly decorated throughout with each room done in a different period style. Each year the decoration changes and you can get ideas for your own decorations. A main feature are the Pollok Teddy bears creating their own unique mayhem. This year see them appearing in their own circus!
The thing that does not change is the visit from Mrs Claus. This year we have encouraged her to stay for longer, in fact from 9 Dec to 24 Dec every day from 11am till 5pm. Her cosy sitting room including toys and gifts as well as fine antiques is a million miles away from the usual Christmas grotto. Come and see it for yourself ( gifts for the children up to 12 years ).
At the same time the Restaurant offers a special seasonal menu ( but not the standard turkey solution ) and the shops are crammed with special temptations and there is an additional Christmas Bazaar offering Christmas decorations and extra special gifts.
Prior to that in the autumn there are special events days to help you understand the Georgians and Victorians who lived in the House. It makes history easy and fun for all the family.
After Christmas there is the lavish Antiques Fair on the last weekend in January from Friday to Sunday. The House is transformed when all the rooms are emptied and filled with stalls for the three days. A spectacle to enjoy as well a chance to buy.
Spring Summer
Every Easter there is the event Outside Inside when we bring the countryside into the House. For children there is the Highland Cow Hunt . How many can you find around the House? It is surprising how such big animals can get everywhere. After the hunt bring the result to Mrs Cotton Tail in her cosy sitting room / burrow and despite her efforts to spring clean she will award prizes.
In the Spring the events days are repeated but the highlight of summer is the annual Murder Mystery. In July and August the House is transformed and transported to the 1930’s where a terrible murder has taken place. Can you solve the mystery from the clues around the House? In 2006 over 2000 families took part. We also offer this for business away days and team building. Ask for details.
Throughout the year the gardens, woodlands and fields are a changing picture of the seasons. There are lots to see and do combined with visits to Pollok House. The wider estate is managed by Glasgow City Council who have their own programme of events.
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