Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2018: The quirkiest spots to visit across the city

NOW in its 29th year, Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival returns on 10 September to throw open the doors of the city’s most alluring buildings in a celebration of architecture, heritage and culture.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual September festival which welcomes curious explorers into over 100 historic buildings across the city, as well as a plethora of unique events.

Last year, the festival welcomed 18,500 visitors and encompassed everything from chapatti making workshops to synchronised swimming demonstrations to a live classical string concert in an empty swimming pool.

This year promises to be just as exciting – and from brewing your own beer to exploring an old prison, here are some of the quirkiest buildings, workshops and events you can delve in to during the 2018 festival:

 

Explore the city as a Parkour playground 

Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 September, 6.30pm

Parkour Generations Glasgow open a workshop suitable for beginners of any level, led by parkour extraordinaire, Chris Grant.

See the city through the eyes of a Traceur – a practitioner of Parkour – and learn some beginners’ techniques as a new way to travel through Glasgow.

 

Create your own building with Hoskins Architects

Saturday 15 September, Hoskins Architects, 10am – 4pm

Visitors will have the chance to build their very own dream house using plasticine which will then become part of a larger architectural landscape as it grows throughout the day.

Whether you want to live in a pineapple under the sea, or a Hollywood mansion, this is your opportunity to create the home you always wanted.

 

Follow in the footsteps of Strictly Come Dancing 

Sunday 16 September, Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, 2-5pm

Susan Calman trained in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall during her training for Strictly Come Dancing, and now you can have a go too.

Don your dancing shoes for an afternoon of T dancing on the hall’s sprung floor, accompanied by the Wurlitzer organ.

 

Go behind the scenes at STV 

Saturday 15 September, STV Studios, 10am – 3pm

STV’s Glasgow heaquarters are inviting you to take a tour of their building on the banks of the river Clyde.

Get a sneak-peak look into Scotland’s leading digital media outlet’s studios, production gallery and transmission area as you see where your TV programmes and news come from.

 

Enjoy a free show at the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre 

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September, 11am – 3.30pm

The centre’s extensive collection of masks and puppets would make a fine day out in itself, but you also have the option to make your own, as well as tour the theatre, library, film effects centre and participate in a number of workshops.

Puppet and mask packs are provided for children to easily build their own creation, and free shows will be taking place over the weekend.

Delve into a world of props and costumes at the National Theatre of Scotland 

Saturday 15 September, Rockvilla,  National Theatre of Scotland HQ, 10am – 5pm

National Theatre of Scotland are giving curious theatre lovers the opportunity to take a tour around their headquarters on the banks of the Spiers Wharf Canal.

You’ll have the chance to dress up in costumes, take a tour of technical and behind the scenes as well as workshop opportunities and exhibits of popular National Theatre of Scotland shows.

 

Learn how to make your own beer at Drygate Brewery 

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September, 12pm – 5pm

Housed in a converted box factory, Drygate brewery reflects Glasgow’s industrial past.

Join a tour of the UK’s first experiential brewery where you’ll learn about the history of brewing beer, Drygate’s micro-brewery and how to brew beer in your very own kitchen.

 

Explore the history of prison life in Glasgow 

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September, Old Central Police Courts, 10am and 12pm

Glasgow’s Old Central Police Court has housed many iconic historical inmates including Emmeline Pankhurst during the Suffragette movement as well as being a filming destination for a number of historic dramas.

Soon to be renovated, the building is opening its doors in a unique chance to see the historic world of a court, prison and police station before it is gone for good.