Charles Rennie Mackintosh Tour in Glasgow
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Original Willow Tea Rooms")
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Original Willow Tea Rooms")
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Original Willow Tea Rooms")
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Tour in Glasgow
3 Days Starting and ending in Glasgow, United Kingdom
Visiting: United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 37
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Learn about the creative genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh with Robin and Karen Cairns whose enthusiasm and knowledge will bring Glasgow’s most famous son to life. Robin is a playwright, speaker, poet and performer whose play about the life of Mackintosh has been performed in recent years. A long-term student and devotee of Mackintosh, Karen is an artist and architect who has exhibited a collection of watercolours of Mackintosh’s work at Hill House and has worked at several Mackintosh buildings. Highlights include the interior of Hill House and the opportunity to see the innovative “box” that is being used to dry out the house, dinner at Glasgow Art Club, lunch at the newly-restored, original Willow Tea Room and many more Mackintosh-related sights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Accommodation Name: The Grosvenor Hotel, Glasgow
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive independently at the The Grosvenor Hotel Glasgow from 15.00. This evening there will be a private dinner with wine and a talk by Robin Cairns: 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Conjurer and Magician'.
Day 2: House For An Art Lover, Lunch At Mackintosh At The Willow, Hunterian Art Gallery, Kelvingrove And Private Dinner At The Glasgow Art Club.
We start our busy day at the House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park where we will see how Mackintosh and Macdonald’s 1901 competition design has been brought to life by a team of artists, architects and craftsmen. A special treat is next as we have lunch at Mackintosh at the Willow – the original tea rooms building at 217 Sauciehall Street, recently re-opened after an extensive restoration project. For more information about this project, please visit https://www.mackintoshatthewillow.com/. After lunch we will visit the Hunterian Art Gallery with its recreation of Mackintosh and Macdonald’s first house followed by a visit to the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery for a stroll around the Mackintosh Gallery and a look at works by the Glasgow Boys. This evening, a highlight of the tour is a visit to the Glasgow Art Club, with en-route view of the ravaged exterior of the Glasgow School of Art. Founded in 1867, the Glasgow Art Club is steeped in history and heritage and remains one of Glasgow’s most important landmarks for the arts in Scotland. Rich in culture, it has been a breeding ground for generations of the city’s most innovative and creative inhabitants. The Grade A-Listed Clubhouse is resplendent with historically significant interior features including fireplaces, fretworks, grills and door fittings - partly designed and decorated by Mackintosh and where he was a member, and a wonderful venue for a welcome reception and private dinner with wine.
Day 3: The Hill House, The Mackintosh Club Helensburgh, Ruchill Church Hall And Queens Cross Church.
This morning we visit Hill House in Helensburgh, built by Mackintosh in 1903 for the publisher Walter Blackie. The house is thought of as one of the best examples of his style with modern interiors that incorporate his own furniture designs. The exterior is being housed in an innovative semi-transparent “box” that is being fitted to allow the house to dry out. More than a century of an average of 193 days of rain per year, has left the exterior of Hill House, which incorporated innovative new designs and materials by Mackintosh, badly damaged by water. The “box” aims to dry out the house to rescue it from further deterioration. The interior will still be visible, but the exterior will be shrouded in a semi-transparent casing. For more information about this fascinating project, please visit https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-hill-house. Next, it’s onto The Mackintosh Club in Helensburgh for a light lunch on arrival, before an introductory talk and visit. The Mackintosh Club Helensburgh is a hidden gem of a building and was his first complete commission dated 1894. On this special visit you will learn about Mackintosh’s early years and the significance and symbolism of the building along with viewing the permanent exhibition and the connection with the infamous Glasgow Style and the Four. Next, we visit Ruchill Parish Church Hall, designed by Mackintosh with sublte Art Nouveau touches especially in the intenal glazing and door panels which are still intact today. Our final visit is to Mackintosh’s Queens Cross Church, the only church in the world designed by Mackintosh, commissioned in 1896. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.15.
What's Included
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Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star The Grosvenor Hotel Glasgow, based on shared occupancy of a double room
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Welcome reception
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First night private evening three-course dinner with wine and talk
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Second night private dinner at The Glasgow Art Club
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Lunch at the newly-restored, Mackintosh at the Willow – the original Tea Rooms building
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Light lunch at The Mackintosh Club Helensburgh
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All talks, guided tours, entrance fees and escorted coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary
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Tour manager throughout
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
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Hotel Car Parking
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Twin room and double for sole use supplements
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
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Holiday insurance
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Meals other than those stated
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
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Porterage and gratuities
Mode of Transport
All talks, guided tours, entrance fees, and escorted coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary are included. Transport to the hotel is not included.
Accommodation
The Grosvenor Hotel, Glasgow
Located in the West End area of the city centre, close to the Hunterian Gallery and University, the traditional, four-star Grosvenor offers a high standard of accommodation and service and is well situated for the various sights visited on this tour. Facilities here include bar, restaurant and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV and telephone. Car parking is available at the hotel costing £10 per night, payable directly to the hotel. Please note twin rooms at this hotel are classed as Deluxe twin rooms and have a supplement.
MORE INFO
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow, based on shared occupancy of a double room. The hotel is located in the West End area of the city centre, close to the Hunterian Gallery and University.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes a welcome reception, a private evening three-course dinner with wine and talk on the first night, a private dinner at The Glasgow Art Club on the second night, lunch at Mackintosh at the Willow, and a light lunch at The Mackintosh Club Helensburgh.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include a private dinner at Glasgow Art Club, lunch at Mackintosh at the Willow, visits to House for an Art Lover, The Mackintosh Gallery, Hill House in Helensburgh, and guided tours by Mackintosh experts Robin and Karen Cairns.
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Is transportation to the hotel included in the tour package?
No, transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package. Guests are expected to arrive independently at The Grosvenor Hotel Glasgow.
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Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?
Yes, additional costs not covered by the tour package include hotel car parking, twin room and double for sole use supplements, extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, and items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, porterage, and gratuities.
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What time should I arrive at the hotel on the first day?
You should arrive independently at The Grosvenor Hotel Glasgow from 15:00 onwards. The welcome reception and first evening dinner/talk will commence at about 18:00.
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What will happen during the visit to Hill House in Helensburgh?
During the visit to Hill House in Helensburgh, you will see the house built by Mackintosh in 1903 for the publisher Walter Blackie. The house is considered one of the best examples of his style with modern interiors that incorporate his own furniture designs. The exterior is being housed in an innovative semi-transparent 'box' to allow the house to dry out and prevent further deterioration.
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What is special about the visit to The Mackintosh Club in Helensburgh?
The visit to The Mackintosh Club in Helensburgh includes a light lunch on arrival, an introductory talk, and a tour of the building. The Mackintosh Club is a hidden gem and was Mackintosh's first complete commission dated 1894. You will learn about Mackintosh's early years, the significance and symbolism of the building, and view the permanent exhibition.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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