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The great hogback stones laid along the wooden floor of Govan Old Church, visitors reading the panels.
Glasgow

The Govan Stones

Early medieval carved stones of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, from the ninth to eleventh centuries, in Govan Old Parish Church; free, April to October.

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Welcome

On the south bank of the Clyde, in Govan Old Parish Church, lies a collection of early medieval carved stones that has no equal in Scotland.

They were carved in the ninth to eleventh centuries, when Govan was a great church of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, and the site itself goes back at least 1,500 years, one of the earliest places of Christian worship in the country, spoken of alongside Iona and St Andrews.

Inside the Victorian church the stones stand and lie along the floor: tall cross slabs knotted with interlace, and the great hogbacks, heavy ridged stones shaped like the roofs of houses, with the carved Govan Sarcophagus among them. Walk slowly round and look closely, as the carving is worn and subtle and changes as the light moves. Entry is free, the church opens daily from April to October, and guided tours begin from one o'clock.

A short drive awayMeadow Road CoffeeA neighbourhood café on Dumbarton Road in Partick with Dear Green coffee, brunch plates and a counter crowded with home bakes.7 min by roadSee itA latte and a plate of poached eggs on greens on a wooden table.
Before you go

Entry is free.

The church opens daily from 1 April to 31 October, 11am to 4pm, with guided tours from 1pm.

Open
1 April to 31 October, daily, 11:00 to 16:00.
Tours
From 13:00.
Where
866 Govan Road, G51 3UU.

Opening hours

Monday
11am–4pm
Tuesday
11am–4pm
Wednesday
11am–4pm
Thursday
11am–4pm
Friday
11am–4pm
Saturday
11am–4pm
Sunday
11am–4pm
Where it is

Govan Old Parish Church on Govan Road, on the south bank of the Clyde.

Close byAcross or along the river.
  1. The curved glass end of the Glasgow Science Centre and the Glasgow Tower against a pale sky.Glasgow Science Centre and PlanetariumHands-on science a little way upriver.2 miles 4 min by road
  2. Fallen leaves along a tree-lined path through Bellahouston Park in autumn.Bellahouston ParkThe park of the 1938 Empire Exhibition, to the south.2 miles 6 min by road
  3. Space's front on Dumbarton Road, the number 540 on the glass.Space Speciality Coffee HouseA small speciality coffee house on Dumbarton Road in Partick, with a pink espresso machine, cakes and a Chinese tea ceremony.3 miles 7 min by road
  4. Riverside MuseumRiverside MuseumZaha Hadid's transport museum, just across the Clyde.3 miles 8 min by road
  5. Arched Clyde Arc bridge spans the River Clyde beside Glasgow's riverside buildingsClyde WalkwayThe riverside path from Glasgow to New Lanark.6 miles 14 min by road
Directions
Cobbled lane with cafe tables, a "Collection Point" sign and Slush Fountain bannerAttractionsAshton Lane1.0 miles over the water
The 78's black and white front with tables on the pavement.RestaurantsThe 781.0 miles over the water
Brel's garden at dusk under a tree lit pink, tables full.RestaurantsBrel1.0 miles over the water
The Chip's whitewashed front on the cobbles of Ashton Lane.RestaurantsUbiquitous Chip1.0 miles over the water
Small plates of spiced dishes and slaw on a table.RestaurantsKelvingrove Café1.1 miles over the water
The Six by Nico sign over a dark stone doorway.RestaurantsSix by Nico1.1 miles over the water
Gothic sandstone buildings with turrets and spires enclose a quadrangle lawn, a bare tree standing at its centre.AttractionsUniversity of Glasgow1.1 miles over the water
Museum gallery with cast-iron balconies, glass display cases and a central skeleton exhibitAttractionsHunterian Museum and Art Gallery1.1 miles over the water
The Gothic towers of the University of Glasgow's main building under a grey sky.AttractionsHillhead1.1 miles over the water
The Daily for 20 October, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the stones, 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
  • 2 miles from Govan Old
Check datesCrossbasket Castle, GlasgowCrossbasket Castle
  • To stay
  • In Glasgow
  • 9 miles from Govan Old
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
  • 11 miles from Govan Old
Free 31 Oct – 2 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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We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

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Find out more

For further reading, before you go.