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Glasgow City Chambers rises behind a stone cenotaph draped with red poppy wreaths, a rope barrier enclosing the memorial.
Glasgow

George Square & City Chambers

William Young's council headquarters of 1888 along the east side of George Square, marble inside, with free guided tours on weekdays.

Welcome

The whole east side of George Square is taken up by one building: the City Chambers, the headquarters of Glasgow City Council.

The foundation stone was laid on 6 October 1883 before a packed square, and William Young's design opened in 1888. The front is a wall of carved stone, columns and statues, with a tower rising over the pediment and the Cenotaph standing at its foot.

The outside is only half of it. Inside are staircases of marble, pillared galleries and painted, gilded ceilings, and the council still meets here, so this is a working building rather than a museum. The best way in is the free guided tour, which runs on weekdays at half past ten and half past two, takes about 45 minutes, and is handed out at the reception desk on the day.

Round the cornerThe Anchor LineA first-class restaurant and bar on St Vincent Place, themed on the golden age of ocean travel, with oysters, grills and cocktails.1 min by roadSee itA full breakfast with black pudding and fried eggs.
Before you go

Public tours run twice a day on weekdays and cost nothing.

They cannot be booked by individuals: tickets are given out at the reception desk half an hour before each tour, first come first served, up to about 25 people at busy times. There are no tours at weekends or on public holidays, and because this is a working building a tour is sometimes called off at short notice.

Tours
Monday to Friday, 10.30 and 14.30, about 45 minutes.
Tickets
Free, from reception 30 minutes before; no booking for individuals.
Groups
Book ahead with the Duty Manager, 0141 287 4018.
Where
The east side of George Square.
Where it is

The east side of George Square in the centre of Glasgow.

Close byA few minutes' walk from the Chambers.
  1. Buchanan Street looking downhill, shoppers on the paving between sandstone blocks under a blue sky.Buchanan StreetGlasgow's main shopping street, named after a tobacco merchant, with the Argyll Arcade of 1827 running off the foot of it.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Ornate lamp posts glow on a wet, foggy city street at nightGeorge SquareThe civic square of 1781 in front of it, with Sir Walter Scott on his column.Under a mile1 min by road
  3. Gallery of Modern ArtGallery of Modern ArtThe city's modern art gallery, on Royal Exchange Square.Under a mile3 min by road
  4. The Duke of WellingtonThe Duke of WellingtonMarochetti's equestrian statue of 1844 in Royal Exchange Square, and its traffic cone.Under a mile3 min by road
  5. A long straight Merchant City street of sandstone buildings under a pale pink sky.Merchant CityThe old quarter of warehouses and traders, now restaurants and bars.Under a mile3 min by road
Directions
A full breakfast with black pudding and fried eggs.RestaurantsThe Anchor LineA step away
A traybake and a raspberry cake on white plates.CafeThe Wild Olive Tree0.3 miles
Panang's dark front with lanterns in the windows.RestaurantsPanang0.3 miles
The busy dining room with its gallery above and lamps glowing.RestaurantsChaakoo Bombay Cafe0.3 miles
The glass entrance to Buchanan Street subway station on the paving, the station's name lettered along the top, sandstone buildings behind.AttractionsBuchanan Street Subway Station0.4 miles
The blue-tiled front on Bath Street under the old Yiamas sign.RestaurantsYianni's0.4 miles
Bibimbap's shopfront on West Nile Street with a parasol outside.RestaurantsBibimbap0.4 miles
A golden cocktail with a lemon twist held at the bar.RestaurantsTabac0.4 miles
Pink shopfront sign reading "maia gifts & lovely things" above a Christmas display windowShoppingMaia Gifts0.4 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the Chambers, and when each is next free.

A grey sofa with cushions sits before a black and white kitchen, a framed print on the wall to the left.Moment Blythswood Street
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Glasgow
  • Under a mile from the City Chambers
Check datesCrossbasket Castle, GlasgowCrossbasket Castle
  • To stay
  • In Glasgow
  • 7 miles from the City Chambers
Check datesA grey corner sofa with cushions and a sheepskin throw sits before a shelf of books and a round mirror, a wood burning stove and log store to the right.Talli House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Dunlop
  • 12 miles from the City Chambers
Free 30 Oct – 1 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in GlasgowAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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