Visiting St Kentigern: Glasgow cathedral with kids
There’s nothing like testing the Christian virtues of generosity and patience by turning up to a cathedral with a buggy. Because even if the services have had a few updates over the years, you’re guaranteed to find stone stairs (usually twisty/narrow), which haven’t.
And back when Glasgow Cathedral was consecrated in 1197, I can guarantee they weren’t pondering how pushchair-friendly it might be for those planning to visit with young kids hundreds of years hence.
The builders would probably be mildly taken aback, if pleased, to know it would still be standing over eight centuries later though, albeit with impressive postwar stained glass windows.
Thought to have been built on the site of the tomb of St Kentigern (also known as St Mungo) – the first bishop within the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde, buried in 612AD – the cathedral is also the only one on the Scottish mainland which survived the Reformation intact.
Decorated partly in scaffolding during our trip, it’s well worth a visit. Topped by a 13th century tower, the interior has a beautiful timber roofed nave soaring 32m above, carved 14th century windows and a beautiful carved, painted choir ceiling.
But my favourite part was the lower church, a 13th century addition, which now houses the tomb of St Kentigern, some lovely icons and ancient tombs as well as fragments of stone from across the centuries.
Still peaceful, despite the number of visitors, I have no doubt you could spend hours exploring – but there comes a point where Minnie discovers the acoustic properties of high vaulted roofs and starts testing them out with squeaks and squeals, so I try not to test her patience too far.
As for everyone else? The very model of the Christian virtues, helping me up and down those ancient stairs, smiling at Minnie, and making her just as welcome. If you’re thinking of visiting Glasgow Cathedral with kids, even younger ones, don’t be put off.
Although the man who found himself unintentionally following in our footsteps, and thereby bearing the brunt of the buggy carrying, may have felt his patience being tested. But virtue, as they say, is its own reward.
For more ideas of things to do in Glasgow with kids, check out my top picks
Glasgow cathedral with kids: Need to know
Entry is free (although donations are welcome) with a small charge for leaflets. The cathedral is open from 9.30-5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 1-5.30pm on Sundays from April to September, and from the same times until 4pm between October and March. Last admission is around an hour before closing.
Guided tours run year-round, although with more limited times during the winter. Check the website for more details – the building may occasionally be closed to the public for funerals or for other reasons outside these times.
The cathedral is also overlooked by the Necropolis, a Victorian cemetery housing the graves of 50,000 former city inhabitants, including some of its most notable 19th century dignitaries.
Disclosure: My visit to Glasgow was courtesy of Visit Scotland although my decision to visit the cathedral was my own
Images copyright MummyTravels
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