Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

Summerlee, the museum of Scottish industrial life - in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire - is a VisitScotland '4 Star' visitor attraction and 'Best Working Attraction' award-winner.

About Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

Summerlee's 22 acres are based around the site of the 19th Century Summerlee Ironworks, a fore-runner in the use of the innovative hot-blast iron smelting process that led Coatbridge to fame and fortune as Scotland's 'Iron Burgh'.

With some 150,000 visitors a year, the museum is now one of Scotland's leading 'free-to-enter' attractions.

Summerlee's main features are:

• A huge under-cover exhibition hall, with a variety of interactive exhibits, 'hands on' activities for children and working machinery to view.

• Re-created adit mine and miners' cottages. Guides take small groups down the mine, which is entered by a sloping track rather than a shaft. The cottages show the domestic side of their lives from the 1840s to the 1980s.

• An electric tramway gives rides on restored modern and Edwardian tramcars. A modest fee gives all-day rides (Discounted for children).

• The 'Photomedia Workshop'. A brand-new community resource for the creative development of photographic skills in both traditional film and digital media. Information on classes and exhibitions available from Summerlee on (01236) 638463.

Within the main exhibition hall there are also toilets (including baby-changing and special access), a café and a shop with a range of heritage-themed gifts, toys and books.

Upcoming Events at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

Workshop of the Empire

19th April 2019 - 16th June 2019

Don't miss Workshop of the Empire at Summerlee, a fascinating photographic exhibition exploring the world of work in 19th and early 20th century North Lanarkshire.

The Vulcan: Scotland’s First Iron Boat Bicentenary 1819-2019

27th May 2019

On Monday 27th May, Summerlee Museum are hosting a special event to celebrate the bicentenary of The Vulcan, Scotland's First Iron Boat!

International Archives Day

9th June 2019

The North Lanarkshire Archives team will be on hand at Summerlee Museum to show you how to use the local archives.

Summerlee Museum Model Railway Show

15th June 2019 - 16th June 2019

The annual Summerlee Model Railway Show is being held on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June, come along and see model railway layouts, model vehicles and more!

A Game of 2 Halves

6th July 2019 - 27th October 2019

As Albion Rovers Football Club celebrate 100 years at Cliftonhill Stadium in Coatbridge, Summerlee Museum presents a unique photographic study of the fans and environment surrounding the team.

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