The Glasgow Doors Open Festival is an annual event, which this year runs 12th-18th September, that celebrates Glasgow’s heritage and culture by throwing open the doors of over 100 historic buildings to the public, for free. Here are all the buildings you can visit around the Southside.

Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival has been a part of the city for more than 30 years and this edition will be the first fully running year since before COVID. The festival allows access to some of Glasgow’s iconic buildings for free. Many of these buildings are privately owned or currently unused so for some of these hidden treasures it is the general public’s only time to access them. Aside from being able to visit these buildings, there are also a number of guided walks and talks.

We have created a handy guide for some of the ways you can get involved with the festival around the Southside.

Govanhill Baths

Govanhill Baths is a Category B Listed Edwardian Baths and Washhouse in Govanhill. Completed in 1917, it is the only surviving building of its type in Glasgow. The building was designed by A.B. McDonald and houses three swimming pools, a Turkish Suite, slipper baths, and a large washhouse or steamie.

For almost a century it sat at the heart of Govanhill’s diverse and vibrant community. In 2001, faced with the imminent closure of the baths by the council, local people occupied the building in what became the longest continual occupation of a civic building in British history. This historic campaign saw the baths saved for future generations, and the creation of a Trust to oversee a complete refurbishment of the building.

This work is currently underway, and the building is due to reopen as a community wellbeing centre in 2023. The Doors Open Days tours are a chance to see behind-the-scenes of this hugely ambitious refurbishment, and get a sneak peek at this beloved building as it is restored to its former glory.

Ghost Signs of Glasgow Walking Tour

Ghosts Signs of Glasgow are an exciting heritage project which tracks down, researches and archives fast disappearing signs around the city and we have developed tours that span the city, to showcase the fascinating stories we have unearthed. You can now choose between three Ghost Signs of Glasgow walking tours as part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival.

Ghost Signs are vital to the fabric of Glasgow’s urban landscape. A Ghost Sign is a fading sign that represents a business or establishment that no longer exists. They have been building an archive that will help us better understand the economic, architectural, social and cultural atmosphere of the Glasgow to which these signs belong and share it with you!

The Hidden Gardens

The Hidden Gardens is a beautiful outdoor space, developed in 2003 on the site of the former Coplawhill Tramworks in Pollokshields. Through the development of this derelict inaccessible space, The Hidden Gardens has become a beautiful, safe greenspace, open to all.

It is a garden rich in art & design that brings people of all backgrounds together to create a sense of community through our volunteering programme where volunteers are fundamental to the maintenance of the gardens and also support our vibrant programme of arts, nature , health & wellbeing activities and events.

Saint Ninian’s Episcopal Church

The festival coincides with the 150th anniversary of the church. St. Ninian’s was designed by David Thomas and built between 1872 and 1877. It was the first Episcopal Church to be built on the south side of Glasgow. Early worshippers ranged from the industrialist William S. Dixon of Govanhill to the pioneering Scottish footballer Andrew Watson, who was married here.

You will be able to walk around on your own or if you wish you can join a guided tour. Tours will take place at 2pm and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, with the 2pm tours being in Gaelic and the ones at 3pm being in English.

This church is a listed building and two major features that you will be able to view are the amazing murals which were designed by William Brassey Hole in 1901-2, and the stained glass windows which include a beautiful Rose window above the west door.

Glasgow Gurdwara Roti Workshop

For over 30 years the Gurdwara has opened its doors to the community offering food for all walks of life. It has served as an educational facility to schools from all over Scotland, given Scots the opportunity to see what Sikhism is, where it comes and what it represents. Both Sikhs and Scots are well known for their commitment to charity work, entrepreneurship and community spirit. To accommodate the growing number of Glasgow’s Sikh population, on the site which was originally Glasgow’s old Eye Infirmary, the new Gurdwara was built. The foundation brick was laid on April 13th 1999 with actual work commencing officially in November 2010.In 2016,the Phase One build of the New Central Gurdwara Singh Sahba was completed. The Scottish Sikh community embarked upon a pioneering journey in completing phase one of the £8.5 million project which proudly sits as Scotland’s largest, purpose built Gurdwara, altering Glasgow’s skyline.

Learn how to make a traditional roti bread from Punjab with a full step-by-step demonstration. There will also be a tour of the Gurdwara.

And the rest…

16 Nicholson St. art gallery is situated in a classic Glasgow tenement and used to be servant quarters. Come along to learn about Laurieston and the Gorbals.

Queen’s Park Camera Club are hosting an exhibition that celebrates the diversity of our local area as well as offering photography advice.

St Margaret’s Episcopal Church is a B listed Romanesque style building in Newlands. Come along to see its barrel vaulted roof as well as a digital exhibition.

Newlands South Church come along to see how the church has changed from a place of worship to a vibrant community hub.

The Deep End is a multi purpouse centre with studios for local artists and small businesses. Come along to see their wares as well as a exhibition on the history of swimming in Glasgow.

The newly restored Kinning Park Complex was the first urban community asset transfer in Glasgow. Take a tour of the old red sandstone school and see what they are getting up to now.

Glasgow Central Mosque is the first purpouse-built mosque in Glasgow. Come and see how Glaswegian and Arabic design met in the construction of this building.

Holmwood House is a grand family home in Linn Park. Come along to find out how the National Trust of Scotland are futureproofing the house for generations to come.

Castlemilk Stables are refurbished 17th Centurry stables for the Stuart family (Mary Queen of Scots).

Interested? Find out how to go along to these events, as well as see all the other events the festival has to offer, by visiting their website here