Burrell Project Stories

What makes a great experience for visitors?

Large white and blue vase sitting in a glass cabinet

To make sure you have a great time, the visitor studies team have been busy finding out what makes for a great experience. Something that also involves asking why some people choose not to come.

During the refurbishment, local people and existing Burrell visitors shared their thoughts on the museum in different ways. Sometimes through research and sometimes through simple conversation. All these aspirations, opinions, likes and dislikes from adults, families and early years children across Glasgow were gathered together.

This feedback has informed every decision made about the building, displays, programme, outside space, retail and restaurant options, even the toilets, to ensure you have a truly memorable day out in all the best ways.

Museum staff showing a visitor group one of the displays
Two ladies looking at artwork
Our key research methods included focus groups, interviews with visitors to The Burrell and other Glasgow Museums and surveys. To date, we have engaged with over 10,000 people representing both individuals and groups, from across Glasgow and beyond. 
Susie Visitor Studies Curator

Thanks to you

You have been central to developing the content you’ll see displayed in new ways inside the museum, and by generously giving your time, a real understanding was gained of what existing and potential new visitors think.

The museum has been shaped by different kinds of research to help develop the content for the displays. Some groups were recruited to help with this through social media or while visiting other museums. The Glasgow Museums Advisory Panels, who represent a range of people from primary school children to adults living across the city, were also instrumental in creating the final design.

Some people participated in surveys, or in more immersive sessions providing feedback on models and mock-up displays. Others simply talked about what they liked and didn't, what worked and what didn't.

Once tweaks, or even entire redesigns had been made, you fed back again to make sure your ideas and opinions had been acted on.

This work didn’t just apply to inside the museum, you also helped improve access to it. Many of the new features, such as walkways and shelters were guided by these conversations.

Thank you, your insights have made a huge contribution in helping achieve this amazing new experience for all visitors.

A group of small children interacting with objects from the Burrell Collection

The stories behind the project

Read more from our series of bite-sized project stories and discover how we have worked with the local community and introduced a range of innovative and exciting approaches to the displays to help create a world class, family-friendly museum.

Burrell Project Stories