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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 part of the House only during the 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 travelling outside the city.
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 Maxwell family lived in the house until 1966 when it was gifted to the City of Glasgow by Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald. Originally opened as a City Museum, it was passed in 1988 to the Trust, who now manage the property on behalf of Glasgow City Council. Since the Trust became involved, 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 Maxwells lived here this was the case, for 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 home baking and fresh local produce, but to get the full effect you need to visit the upstairs to appreciate 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 the father and son – Sir William and Sir John – who expanded the small Georgian house into the property we see today, the family have connections to the estate dating back to 1270. The lively plasterwork and classical proportions stress the country mansion style, but the small scale of the main Georgian house makes it seem very habitable – 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 –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 sees them appearing in their own circus!
The event that does not change is the visit from Mrs Claus. This year we have encouraged her to stay for longer: from 9 to 24 December every day from 11am until 5pm. Her cosy sitting room includes toys and gifts as well as fine antiques, and is a million miles away from the usual Christmas grotto. Come and see it for yourself (gifts for children up to 12 years).
At the same time, the Restaurant offers a special seasonal menu (but not the standard turkey meal) and the shops are crammed with festive temptations. There is also an additional Christmas Bazaar offering Christmas decorations and extra special gifts.
Before all the Christmas excitement sets in, there are special events days throughout the autumn to help you get to know the Georgians and Victorians who lived in the House. It makes history easy to understand and offers a fun day out for all the family.
After Christmas there is a lavish Antiques Fair on the last weekend in January, running 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 as a chance to buy.
Spring/Summer
Every Easter there is the popular event ‘Outside Inside’, when we bring the countryside into the House. Children will love the Highland Cow Hunt; how many will they 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, or burrow, where she will pause in her spring cleaning duties and award prizes.
In the spring, the events days of the autumn are repeated, but the highlight of summer has to be the annual Murder Mystery. In July and August the House is transported to the 1930s, where a terrible murder has taken place. Can you solve the mystery from the clues around the House? In 2006 over 2,000 families took part. We also offer this event 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 is lots to see and do on the estate that can be combined with a visit to Pollok House. The wider estate is managed by Glasgow City Council who also run their own programme of events.
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