Hidden gems and secret spots across Glasgow will open their doors to the public, some for the first time, for Doors Open Day this September. The festival celebrating the city’s buildings has taken places in Glasgow since 1990, and is now held across Scotland. The 2015 event will be themed around Glasgow's industrial heritage, and for the first time there will also be a dedicated children’s programme. With more than 100 buildings involved and a variety of tours and talks taking place, here’s just ten of the highlights you should make time to visit.
King’s Theatre
See the splendour of this Frank Matcham-designed venue – complete with its eclectic mix of styles including Baroque and Art Nouveau influences – and learn more about how a busy theatre works.
Sat 19, tours: 10am, 10.15am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.15am and 11.30am. Advance booking required, over 8s only.
Barras Area and Sights tour
Check out some of the highlights of Glasgow’s East End including the iconic Barrowland sign, cobbled lanes, a former site of executions and even the oldest chippy in the city.
Sat 19 and Sun 20, 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Meeting point: Magpie Café, Barras Market. Advance booking required.
West Brewery
Modelled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, this former Victorian carpet factory has been converted into a modern brewery, preserving its industrial heritage. Take a tour to learn about the history of West and the beer production process.
Sat 19 tours: 11am, noon and 1pm. Sun 20 tours: noon, 2pm and 4pm. Advance booking required.
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
With such a huge collection, Glasgow’s museums simply don’t have the space to display everything they own, which is where the GMRC comes in. More than 1.4 million objects are kept in storage pods, so join a guided tour of this treasure trove.
Sat 19 and Sun 20, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Advance booking required.
The Lighthouse
Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s first public commission, the former Herald Building opened its doors in 1895 and became an exhibition space in 1999. Regular tours will reveal the building’s history and you can also view an exhibition of kaleidoscope 3D collages inspired by Glasgow’s built heritage.
Mon 14-Sun 20. Tours: Mon-Fri 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm. Sat-Sun noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail
Join this introductory walking tour to see some of the amazing street artwork and fascinating murals which can be found throughout the city centre.
Sat 19, 10am and noon. Advance booking required.
Glasgow Film Theatre
Explore behind the scenes – including in the projection booth – at one of the UK’s most successful independent cinemas. Its predecessor, the Cosmo, opened its doors in 1939 and the building still retains much of its Art Deco interior.
Sun 20, 10am-1pm. Tours: 10.15am and 10.45am (BSL interpreted), 11.15am, 11.45am and 12.15pm.
Glasgow Necropolis
The final resting place of 50,000 of the city’s former residents, the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis will be offering informative tours of the 37 acre site to tell the stories of the people buried in the city's iconic cemetery.
Sat 19 - noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 5pm. Sun 20 - noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Advance booking required with The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.
Tron Theatre
Home to a 16th century clock tower that is one of the oldest surviving landmarks of the historic Merchant City, the Tron Theatre has a fascinating past ready to explore. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see areas normally closed to the public, including the wardrobe department.
Sat 19 and Sun 20, 10am-4pm. Advance booking required with the venue.
Glasgow Central Station
Explore the parts of Glasgow’s main railway station that you won’t see when you’re rushing for a train. Walk through tunnels, boiler rooms and basements and find out more about the station’s architecture and its impact on Victorian engineering.
Sat 10 and Sun 20, 11am and 2pm. Advance booking required, over 16s only.
Doors Open Day, various venues, September 14-20. Advance booking at glasgowdoorsopenday.com.
Looking for activities for the whole family? See five picks from the children's programme at this year's Doors Open Day in Glasgow.