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From Glasgow, First Bus no. 31 goes from St Enoch Centre, Glasgow to Stewartfield Way. The Museum is 200m from the bus stop. The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.
From Glasgow Central Station, travel to Thorntonhall, Hairmyres or East Kilbride station. The Museum is approximately three miles from these station, and can be reached by taxi or bus.
From Glasgow take the A727 to East Kilbride. From Edinburgh follow the M8 to Glasgow, turn off after Junction 6 on the A725 to East Kilbride. The Museum is clearly signposted before you reach East Kilbride.
If you are using satnav please use postcode G79 1AA. This will take you to the Centre 1 Tax Office. The museum is five minutes’ drive from the Tax Office and is well signposted.
Our free on-site car park provides easy access to the museum building.
Visit www.travelinescotland.com to plan your journey.
The National Museum of Rural Life is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and supports sustainable tourism. Receive 10% off full-price admission if you cycle to the museum. On presentation of your cycle helmet at the ticket desk receive 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. Not valid during special events.
Above: Clydesdales horses and sheep in the field at Wester Kittochside farm.
You can download a map of the site here [PDF 303KB].
Above: Playpark and picnic area at National Museum of Rural Life.
The Museum building provides a warm and relaxing atmosphere, however a large part of the visitor experience to the site will be visiting our working farm. It is advisable that appropriate warm/waterproof attire and wellington boots or sturdy shoes be worn particularly during the winter months.
Walking to the working farm takes approximately 10 minutes from the Museum building or you can take advantage of the Farm Explorer tractor trailer ride (due to popularity seats may not always be available, a free ticket for the Farm Explorer should booked at the ticket desk in the Main Entrance).
Families and children of all ages are welcome at the National Museum of Rural Life. We provide a number of activities especially for children and an exciting events calendar for all ages.
There are separate baby changing facilities and a breastfeeding room for nursing mothers. Our Farm Explorer tractor-trailer provides on-site transport and buggies can be carried on board. Within the Museum there is limited space for storing buggies and there are lockers for storing coats and other personal items.
Children are welcome in Shielings Café, where you’ll find is a children's menu, high chairs and a facility for warming baby bottles. Want to enjoy the weather and our fantastic grounds outside? Our picnic area is popular with families of all ages.
The National Museum of Rural Life has a policy in place if children become separated from their party.
Above: Enjoying a family walk at Wester Kittochside Farm.
Teacher-led visits to National Museum of Rural Life are free of charge. A range of workshops, interpretation sessions and other activities are also available. Find out more about our schools offer here.
National Museum of Rural Life is a great day out for any type of group. We offer a discounted rate of £6 per person (£5 concessions) to groups of 10 or more adults.
Disabled visitors pay a concession price for admission, with a carer accompanying for free.
There is ample free parking at the site, with four designated parking spaces for disabled visitors near the entrance, and a level entrance to the museum building. Circulation through the displays is via a continuous ramp at a gradient of 1:16 and public lifts. There is seating throughout the exhibition building.
Adapted toilets are available, including baby changing and an adult changing bench.
There is an induction loop in the cinema
Paths leading to the farm buildings provide firm smooth surfaces for pushchairs and wheelchairs. However, the distance is approximately half a mile and in places the path is relatively steep. Seating is provided at regular intervals. You may however, wish to make use of the site transport for the journey. A tractor and trailer, the Farm Explorer, is provided for this purpose, and is suitable for wheelchair users. This service is free of charge and runs regularly throughout the day.
The ground floor, but not the first floor, of the farmhouse is accessible by wheelchair.
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted.
Our full access guide can be found here.
Deaf BSL (British Sign Language) users can make contact by using the free ContactSCOTLAND-BSL service.
Non-assistance dogs are allowed outdoors on the site as long as they are kept on a lead at all times. They are not allowed in the museum building or the farmhouse, however. Dogs are allowed outdoors at event days, as long as they are on a lead.
The award-winning Shielings Café has panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The menu offers a wide selection of hot and cold dishes, and children’s meals and vegetarian options are available. The café is open Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00 and is open to non-museum visitors. National Museums Scotland Members receive a 20% discount in the café. Please note that last food orders should be placed by 16.30.
Call 0300 123 6789 for more information.
Above: Visit the award-winning Shielings Café.
The Museum shop at the National Museum of Rural Life has a range of items to suit all ages reflecting the farm and countryside theme. All major credit cards are accepted. The shop is open to non-museum visitors from during museum opening hours.
National Museums Scotland Members receive a 10% discount.
For further details, email us on museumshop@nms.ac.uk or contact the main museum shop on 0131 247 4245.
Above: Shopping at National Museum of Rural Life.
Children can celebrate a birthday to remember in the country at the National Museum of Rural Life. Party goers can enjoy our working farm with pigs, sheep, cows, horses and hens, explore our historic farmhouse, and see the award-winning Museum. The party can also include dedicated tractor-trailer rides, and play time in our Garden Detectives exhibition. Our private room can be hired for a delicious lunch provided by Shielings Café.
Parties cost £10 per head, for a minimum of 10 children. Call us on 0131 247 4377 for more information or to book your party.
For any other type of venue or room hire for day meetings, conferences and family celebrations find out more in Venue Hire.
Above: Girls meeting the award-winning Ayrshire cows.
We are happy for you to take photographs, including flash photography, in the galleries and the outdoor site, but photography is not permitted in special exhibitions, the farmhouse or unless otherwise stated.
No prior permission is needed for photography intended for personal use. However, anyone wishing to use a tripod should contact the information desk to obtain a photopass. All photographers wishing to take photographs for publication on other websites, for all printed matter or other commercial use, are asked to contact Maggie Wilson at the Picture Library on 0131 247 4026 or m.wilson@nms.ac.uk.
Daily: 10:00-17:00
Closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January
Shielings Café
Due to essential maintenance, the Shielings Café will be serving cold food only on Monday 2 October, apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Farm Explorer
Please be aware the Farm Explorer Tractor Trailer Ride will not be running Monday 9 October, apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Adult: £7
Concessions: £6
Child: £4 (under 5 free)
Family £19 (2 adults and 2 children)
National Museums Scotland Members: Free
National Trust Scotland Members and National Art Pass holders: Free except for certain events
Discounts are available for schools, those travelling by bicycle and groups
There is an extra charge for some events