We expect the site to be very busy on the days we have events on. For a stress free visit, please plan to park elsewhere. We have limited disabled parking on site. Nearby parking can be found at the Time Capsule (ML5 1DL). Public transport can be found at Traveline Scotland.
No dogs (except registered assistance dogs) are permitted on site.
Entry is free, with small charges for some activities.
Music in the Museum 2025
Scotland’s noisiest museum continues it’s programme of events, Music in the Museum, produced by North Lanarkshire Council’s arts development team. From thunderous Compton Pipe Organ performances to world-class “pop-up” opera, there’s a different musical event to experience each month in the unique surroundings of an industrial museum!
Check back soon for more events.
Spring Break Family Activities
Saturday 5 – Thursday 17 April
Join us this Easter for themed arts and crafts, follow our Easter trail and enjoy an ice cream from our vintage ice cream truck. Mine tours also available (5-17 April only, times vary).
Don’t miss our popular den building, join us on a wildlife walk or take part in our weaving workshop. See details below:
Den Building
Mon 7 – Wed 9 and Thu 17 April, 10.30am-12.30pm
£12 per group
Suitable for ages 5+ in a group with adults.
Build your own den in the Summerlee Woods. Summerlee Museum staff will be on hand with tips and tricks for building the best den. All equipment is supplied.
Wildlife of Summerlee
Fri 11 Apr, 11am-3pm
Drop-in, free.
All ages with adult accompaniment.
A century ago, Summerlee was a barren industrial site with little plant or animal life. Since the site became a museum, nature has begun to reclaim it. Our little stretch of the Monkland Canal is now home to a range of watery wildlife; whilst trees now grow where carts full of coal once rolled, providing homes for everything from fungi to foxes.
Join Summerlee staff and Countryside Rangers from Drumpellier Park, as we get to know the wildlife we share the site with. We’ll be using high-tech cameras to find them, pond-dipping to get an up close look, and there will be a selection of wildlife activities to try on the day.
Weaving from Sheep to Shawl
Wed 9 Apr, 10.30am-2.30pm and Thu 10 Apr, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Learning Room
Drop-in, free.
Weaving was a significant industry in the Monklands during the 19th century, with many local families employed in weaving cloth. You can try your hand at this traditional craft with help from Summerlee staff and take home your own cloth.
Easter Weekend
Friday 18 – Monday 21 April, 11am – 4pm
Our Easter celebrations continue with themed arts and crafts, follow our Easter trail and enjoy an ice cream from our vintage ice cream truck. We’ll also have face painting, balloons, a bouncy castle (excluding 21 Apr) and football activities (21 Apr only).
Fri 18 – See the BFlat Miners perform (12noon)
Mon 21 – Football activities by Pitch Parade including Panna Cage, Teqball, football darts and Speed Cage (free)
Ship Ahoy!
Saturday 26 April, 10am – 4pm
A Scottish Maritime Heritage Exhibition including displays of model ships, ship photographs and historic video footage, as well as displays of working model ships.
Classic Car Show
Sunday 27 April
Our annual classic car show returns to Summerlee Museum for families and car enthusiasts alike. More information to follow.
VE Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration
Monday 5 May, 11am – 3pm
World War II Homefront re-enactors from the Edinburgh Local Defence Volunteers
11am -3pm
1940s house and gardens
Free
World War II inspired crafts and object handling
11am – 3pm
£3 for craft
Don’t forget to explore the exhibition hall, which includes objects from WWII including medals and uniforms, and be sure not to miss the 1940s house and garden with accessible Anderson shelter.
Coal mine tours will also be available from 10am – 3.15pm (£2.10 per person).
Model Rail Show
Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June
Our annual Model Rail Show returns with a selection of local and national model trains, tracks and scenes.
Monkland Canal 255 year celebrations
Thursday 26 June
More information to follow.
School holiday activities
Throughout July
More information to follow.
National Play Day
Wednesday 6 August
A national celebration of play with lots of free activities for all the family. More information to follow.
Steam Fair
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August
Find out more about how to get involved with steam, see the steam fleet in action and enjoy all the usual Summerlee fun.
End of Summer Funday
Monday 11 August
The holidays might be ending but the fun doesn’t have to! Join us for a day of family activities. More information to follow.
Meccano Show
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September
The Meccano Society of Scotland return! With large and small working Meccano models from all eras – from vintage cars and spaceships to giant cranes and interactive mechanisms you can operate!
Classic Car Show
Sunday 21 September
Our classic car show but on a smaller scale – but still packed full of fun! More information to follow.
September Weekend Family Activities
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September
More information to follow.
Doors Open Day
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Summerlee Museum. More information to follow.
Brick M8
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October
Join us as LEGO® builders from across Scotland display their latest LEGO® creations and displays. If you have a LEGO® question these are the people to ask! Once you have been inspired then head to the build tables where there are thousands of bricks to play with!
October Week Activities
Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 October
More information to follow.
Meet Father Christmas
Saturdays and Sunday through December plus 23 and 24 December
Meet Santa in his grotto and visit our winter wonderland activity area. More information to follow.
Bookbug
Every Friday, 10.30am
Discover the benefits of sharing stories, songs and rhymes with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to give them the best start in life.
Join us for weekly Bookbug sessions at 10.30am every Friday.
These are drop-in sessions so there’s no need to book in advance. However, capacity is limited and to ensure Bookbug is a fun and safe experience for everyone who comes along, we will need to shut the door once the room reaches its maximum capacity.
Summerlee Museum ESOL Conversational Café
Every second Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Come along for good conversation and activities to help improve your English. If you have children, they are welcome to come along with you.
Tea and coffee provided.
English speakers are encouraged to come along to help with conversation too.
Ми вітаємо Українці у Північному Ланаркшіре.
Call us on 01236 638460 for more information.
Summerlee Photomedia Studio
North Lanarkshire’s Arts & You team offer weekly classes for adults and children of all abilities in photography, film-making, animation and more at Summerlee Photomedia Studio.
Applebox Film Club, Saturdays, 11am – 1pm, suitable for 8 – 13 years
LEGO Animation Club, Mondays, 4pm – 5pm, suitable for 8 – 12 years
Adult All Ability Photography, Wednesdays, 12.30pm – 2pm & Thursdays, 10.30am – 12pm, suitable for 16 years+
TWENTY20 Pictures Project, Fridays, 1pm – 3pm & Saturdays, 1.15pm – 3.15pm, suitable for 14 – 18 years
Tom Gates Mega Museum Challenge
Tom Gates Mega Museum ChallengeBring your family museum trip to life for free with the Tom Gates Mega Museum Challenge activity pack from Scholastic and Kids in Museums. Kids can go on their very own adventure by seeing if they can ‘Spot Ten Random Things’ from the activity sheet at the museum – from the biggest thing to the grossest! Try out some top drawing tips and tricks then take part in a Doodle Challenge.
Visit the Kids In Museums website to download now.
Hear the Mighty Compton Cinema Organ
Hear the Mighty Compton Cinema Organ Live music on the Compton Cinema Organ
FREE
Hear the mighty Compton Cinema Organ played by multi-award winning musician Aaron Hawthorn. The power of the organ means you can listen while enjoying lunch in the café.
Please note, these are promenade performances, not seated.