The Govan Stones at Govan Old Church
A visit to the Govan Stones exhibition provides an opportunity to explore Glasgow’s oldest graveyard and to learn about a moment in history when Govan was the seat of kings, when pilgrims prayed at the tombs of saints, and when Viking warriors plundered and conquered throughout the islands of Britain. The collection dates between the 9th-11th centuries and is housed in the magnificent A-Listed Govan Old Church, designed by Robert Rowan Anderson and described architecturally as possibly the most influential Post-Reformation church in Scotland. Stained glass from expert late-Victorian workshops. This year Glasgow Doors Open Festival coincides with archaeological excavations in Govan’s ancient graveyard. Every day at 12:30 there will be a short tour of the graveyard by our staff and volunteers discussing the site’s origins, developments, symbols and archaeological discoveries. On Saturday 21st September Govan Old is having a special open day for the excavations (10am-4pm) with a range of family friendly activities and historical re-enactment and displays from our friends at Cumbraland, a living history group which showcases ancient Strathclyde and Viking times.
ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO
Govan Old Church, Govan Road, Govan, Glasgow, UK, G51 3UU
866 Govan Rd, Govan, Glasgow G51 3UU, UK
G51 3UU
1888
Robert Rowand Anderson
VISIT DETAILS
BUILDING OPENING HOURS
Open everyday 10:00 am - 17:00 pm with tours every half hour from 12:30pm - 4:30pm. Sunday 22nd 10:00 am - 4:30 pm with tours evey half hour from 11:00am - 4:00pm. No booking required.
BOOKING DETAILS
OTHER INFORMATION
TRAVEL
Nearest Train and/or Subway: Govan Subway and Transport hub
Parking Available: yes
Additional Parking Details: Some on-street parking but quite limited
Parking Available: yes
Additional Parking Details: Some on-street parking but quite limited
ACCESSIBILITY
Physical Access: Not Accessible
Further Accessibility Details: Govan Old is in the process of improving its accessibility. However, please note at present we do not have a wheelchair ramp and there are a number of steps that need to be navigated to get in the front door of the Victorian building.
Facilities: Seating, Toilets
Additional Restricitions on Access: If you are attending a touch of the graveyard please wear sensible, outdoor shoes
Further Accessibility Details: Govan Old is in the process of improving its accessibility. However, please note at present we do not have a wheelchair ramp and there are a number of steps that need to be navigated to get in the front door of the Victorian building.
Facilities: Seating, Toilets
Additional Restricitions on Access: If you are attending a touch of the graveyard please wear sensible, outdoor shoes
ORGANISATION
Organised by: Govan Heritage Trust
A new beginning and a new life beckon for the former Govan Old church, as its changed owners embark on ambitious plans to place the A-listed building at the very heart of local regeneration. On a par with national sites such as Iona and St Andrews as one of the earliest places of Christian worship in Scotland, Govan’s pre-eminence and historic significance have largely been ignored and its potential untapped. The community, as the new owners, plan to change all that through the creation of a visitor centre telling Govan’s unsung story. Faced in 2007 with closure of Govan Old and loss of unarguably Govan’s greatest historic asset, the community – led by social enterprise Govan Workspace – worked tirelessly on a rescue plan which finally came to fruition in 2016 when a new charitable trust took ownership. ‘Govan Heritage Trust’ is already implementing the first phase of a 5-year business plan to secure a viable future for the building, having created 3,000 sq feet of lettable space in the lower ground. Other development phases are now underway. Govan Workspace continues, alongside managing Govan’s Fairfield Heritage museum, to provide necessary support and to project manage the developments at Govan Old.
Tel: 0141 445 2340
Email: info@thegovanstones.org.uk
Website: thegovanstones.org.uk/
A new beginning and a new life beckon for the former Govan Old church, as its changed owners embark on ambitious plans to place the A-listed building at the very heart of local regeneration. On a par with national sites such as Iona and St Andrews as one of the earliest places of Christian worship in Scotland, Govan’s pre-eminence and historic significance have largely been ignored and its potential untapped. The community, as the new owners, plan to change all that through the creation of a visitor centre telling Govan’s unsung story. Faced in 2007 with closure of Govan Old and loss of unarguably Govan’s greatest historic asset, the community – led by social enterprise Govan Workspace – worked tirelessly on a rescue plan which finally came to fruition in 2016 when a new charitable trust took ownership. ‘Govan Heritage Trust’ is already implementing the first phase of a 5-year business plan to secure a viable future for the building, having created 3,000 sq feet of lettable space in the lower ground. Other development phases are now underway. Govan Workspace continues, alongside managing Govan’s Fairfield Heritage museum, to provide necessary support and to project manage the developments at Govan Old.
Tel: 0141 445 2340
Email: info@thegovanstones.org.uk
Website: thegovanstones.org.uk/
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