Museum reopening
Our museums are now open and tickets are available to book. We can't wait to welcome you back.
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Find out everything you need to know about visiting the National Museum of Rural Life.
The National Museum of Rural Life is is now open and tickets are available for online booking.
Book now
Philipshill Road,
East Kilbride,
G76 9HR
Tel: 0300 123 6789
Adult £9
Concession £8*
Child (5–15) £6 (under 5s free)
Family (2 adults and 2 children) £25
*Concessions: 60+, students with valid NUS or Young Scot card, unemployed with ID, disabled people.
Carers of disabled people free.
Timed entry has been introduced to ensure that we can manage numbers and maintain physical distancing. Please book a timed entry ticket online for every member of your group in advance of your visit. This includes National Museums Scotland Members, National Museum of Rural Life Annual Pass holders and National Trust for Scotland Members.
A range of new safety measures have been put in place in line with Scottish Government guidelines.
This includes pre-booked timed entry, face coverings, enhanced cleaning, sneeze screens, hand sanitising stations and one-way routes in certain areas of the museum where physical distancing is not possible.
We want you to have a safe and enjoyable visit. During your visit, we ask you to:
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Please keep your distance from others (2m). |  |
Follow the directional signage. |
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Use the hand sanitiser provided. |  |
Please note card payments only. |
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Wash your hands often. |  |
Face coverings must be worn by visitors over 5 years old. |
Please do not visit the museum if you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of Coronavirus.
The Physical Distance Based Capacity (PDBC) for the National Museum of Rural Life based on Scottish Government guidelines is 479.
In line with Scottish Government guidelines, face coverings must be worn in our indoor spaces and shops.
As we begin to welcome visitors back to the museum, the reopening of the site will be phased, with some parts of the museum building and farm opening first.
We have developed a new museum map to show which parts of the site are open and what can be enjoyed during your visit, as well as a new family trail.
Some interactive displays and high-touch areas are temporarily closed for your safety, including the Garden Detectives gallery in the museum building, and the farmhouse at our working farm. We are asking visitors not to pet the animals at the farm, including our farm cats.
The Farm Explorer tractor-trailer isn’t running, so don’t forget to bring your wellies for the walk to the farm!
Shielings Café is open, serving a full sit-in menu and takeaway options.
National Museums Scotland Members receive a 20% discount in the café.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic to eat in our outdoor play and picnic area. Please dispose of your rubbish responsibly in the bins provided. Barbecues and gas stoves are not permitted.
The museum shop is open, accepting card payments only. In line with Scottish Government guidelines, face coverings must be worn in our shops.
National Museums Scotland Members receive a 10% discount on all shop purchases.
Our picnic area is open with hand sanitiser nearby. Please note that the play area is temporarily closed due to damage from recent adverse weather.
Families and children of all ages are welcome at the National Museum of Rural Life.
We are unfortunately unable to accommodate school and large group visits. Small groups of up to six people are able to visit the museum by booking timed entry tickets in advance and arriving for entry at the same time.
For the safety of our visitors and staff, no birthday parties will be offered during this period.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum buildings and on the outdoor site.
Non-assistance dogs are welcome outdoors, but must be on a lead. They are not allowed in the museum buildings.
We are happy for you to take photographs, including flash photography, in the galleries and the outdoor site.
No prior permission is needed for photography intended for personal use. However, anyone wishing to use additional photography equipment (eg a tripod) should contact the information desk to obtain a photo pass.
All photographers wishing to take photographs for commercial use are asked to contact Maggie Wilson at the Picture Library on 0131 247 4026 or at m.wilson@nms.ac.uk.
We want all our visitors and staff to be safe at the National Museum of Rural Life. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a member of our Visitor Experience team. You can also help us keep the museum safe by reporting anything that looks out of place or suspicious to our Visitor Experience Assistants.
Toilets
Toilets are available. There are accessible toilets with an adult changing bench.
Baby changing
Baby changing facilities and a breastfeeding room are available.
Access
The museum is accessible via lifts and ramps. See our Accessibility page for more information.
Café
Open daily from 10:00–17:00, accepting card payments only.
Picnic area
Our picnic area is open. The play area is temporarily closed.
Information
Our information and ticket desk is at the entrance to our museum on the first floor.
Parking
Free parking available. There are 12 designated Blue Badge parking bays within the car park.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in museum buildings and in public areas outdoors on a lead.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome outdoors, but must be on a lead. They are not allowed in the museum buildings.
Farm Explorer
Please note the Farm Explorer is currently not available.
Shop
The museum shop sells a range of rural-themed gifts and books. Please note we are accepting card payments only.
Contactless payment
Please note we are accepting card payments only.
Plan your visit to the National Museum of Rural Life with our map to view online or print at home.
View and download the map
Our new family trail is full of top tips, object highlights and activities to help you make the most of your visit.
Join Clyde the horse on a journey around the museum galleries before taking on our super spotter challenge as you explore the great outdoors.
We want everyone who comes to the National Museum of Rural Life to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. We've compiled all our accessibility information in one place.
AccessibilityThe museum is 200m from the bus stop on Stewartfield Way.
The First Glasgow 31 service runs between Glasgow to Carmunnock. The JMB Travel 31b service runs from Carmunnock to East Kilbride.
Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.
There are three train stations within a few miles of the museum: East Kilbride, Hairmyres and Thorntonhall.
Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.
It is about a 20-minute cycle from the centre of East Kilbride and there is a secure cycle rack available to park your bike.
10% bicycle discount: The National Museum of Rural Life is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and supports sustainable tourism. On presentation of your cycle helmet at the ticket desk receive a 10% discount on one adult, concession or child admission. For validity on Family tickets, all family members must have travelled by bicycle. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer and not valid during special events.
Get directions from Google Maps.
Free parking is available, with four designated spaces for disabled visitors. There are signposts for the museum before you reach East Kilbride.
Plan your journey with the Traveline website or get directions from Google Maps.
Enjoy a meal in our award-winning Shielings Café, which offers home baking, hot and cold dishes, children’s meals, freshly brewed teas and coffees and takeaway options.
As a charity, we rely on your donations to care for our animals and our special landscape. Please donate today to support our work.
Thank you.
Our museums are now open and tickets are available to book. We can't wait to welcome you back.