New Lanark World Heritage Site

Description

New Lanark World Heritage Site is a beautifully preserved 18th-century mill village set beside the scenic River Clyde in Scotland. Founded in 1785, it became a model industrial community focused on education and workers’ welfare, led by social reformer Robert Owen. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, it is now an award-winning visitor attraction managed by the New Lanark Trust. 

Visitors can enjoy the Annie McLeod Experience ride, explore Robert Owen’s House, step inside reconstructed Millworkers’ Houses, and see historic textile machinery in action. The site also features a Historic Classroom, Scotland’s largest Roof Garden, Clearburn Park with adventure play areas, the impressive Falls of Clyde waterfalls, and an indoor Soft Play area for children up to 8 years old. Exhibitions run throughout the year, and there is a café, restaurant, gift shop, and on-site parking available. 

General admission costs £15.00 for adults, £11.00 for concessions and £7.50 for children aged 3–16, with children under 3 entering free. Family tickets range from £25.00 (1 adult + 2 children) to £50.00 (2 adults + 4 children), while Gift Aid prices are slightly higher. Soft Play entry is £4.50 per child (under 1s free). Parking costs £3 per day. Soft Play party packages start at £13.00 per child for a lunch box option or £15.00 per child for a hot buffet, including two hours exclusive use (minimum 16 children). 

With its fascinating industrial history, family-friendly attractions and stunning natural surroundings, New Lanark offers a unique and educational day out. Whether you are discovering life in the 1820s, enjoying riverside walks, or exploring the waterfalls, it’s a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

  • Annie McLeod Experience: Travel back in time on the Annie McLeod Experience Ride! Enter the spirit world of New Lanark and be taken on a fascinating journey of discovery by the ghost of mill worker Annie McLeod who tells her story of life in New Lanark in 1820. Commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish & Japanese. Induction loop facility also available. You sit in motorised ‘pods’ which lead you around the ride.
  • Robert Owen’s House: Explore mill manager Robert Owen’s House The only house in New Lanark to have more rooms in it than people! See Owen’s original desk, the books from the New Lanark Reading Room and the elegant furniture of Mrs Owen’s sitting room.
  • Millworker’s House: See how the the villagers of New Lanark lived by exploring our reconstruction of an 1820s Millworkers’ House, Showing what housing would have been like in New Lanark just before Victorian times, with ‘hurly beds’, company dressers and often 10 or more people to a room! The 1930s Millworkers’ House by contrast shows what housing would have been like just after Victorian times, a period still within living memory.
  • Textile Machinery: This exhibition explores cotton production and working conditions in the cotton industry, from the plantations of America to the noisy factories of 18th and 19th century Britain. See our own 19th century textiles machinery in action, today spinning wool into yarn. As we challenge and engage with our colonial past and its enduring legacy, this exhibition will change in the coming year.
  • Historic Classroom: Robert Owen made clear that the prime vehicle for social reform was education. Whilst at New Lanark, he created the first Infant School in the world, complete with a comprehensive education system for children. Visit our Historic Classroom and discover what it was like to go to school in Robert Owen’s time. Children can enjoy dressing up as schoolchildren from Annie McLeod’s time!
  • Roof Garden: Be inspired by the design and amazed at the stunning views of our unique Roof Garden. Created on the 9,000 square feet of roof on one of our mill buildings, our Roof Garden is the largest of its kind in Scotland and is one of the highlights of our Visitor Centre. The garden is open to visitors all year round and is the perfect location to enjoy a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the surrounding natural scenery and the historic village.
  • Clearburn Park: Clearburn Picnic and Play Area is a fantastic resource for the community and visitors alike. With adventure play areas, a giant willow storytelling dome, a secret hideaway tree house, and bug hotels (to name just a few of the features of the Play Area!) there is more than enough to keep the kids entertained. The development of the project was generously supported by The Big Lottery Fund and The Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership.
  • Falls of Clyde: These magnificent waterfalls on the River Clyde at New Lanark have been impressing visitors for centuries - from Wordsworth to Coleridge, and J. M. W. Turner to Sir Walter Scott. The Falls of Clyde are a breathtaking natural wonder located next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of New Lanark. The Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve is managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, this area offers stunning waterfalls, scenic walks, and rich biodiversity. 
  • New Lanark Soft Play: Run wild at the New Lanark Soft Play area! Bring your little explorers to the New Lanark Soft Play area for an exciting indoor adventure! Perfect for children up to 8 years old, this lively soft play space is full of fun with a bouncy castle, plenty of toys, and cozy seating areas for parents to relax.
  • Exhibitions: We host a number of prominent touring exhibitions annually and would be delighted to discuss any opportunities to host exhibitions. Please email [email protected] to make an enquiry about hosting an exhibition at New Lanark
  • New Lanark Film Theatre: Our fully functioning theatre seats 123 guests and is one of Scotland's most unique cinemas. New Lanark Film Theatre, a one-of-a-kind cinema nestled in the historic Robert Owen School for Children at the New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delight in a captivating lineup of films, from timeless family favorites like The Lion King to thrilling blockbusters and seasonal gems.

Facilities

  • Parking: Parking available. 
  • Food & Drinks: Take time to sample the delicious fare in our family friendly Mill Café, where you can choose from a wide range of hot and cold food, lunches, light refreshments, home-baking, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Alternatively, enjoy a meal or our exceptionally popular afternoon tea at New Lanark Mill Hotel’s Mill One Restaurant.
  • Gift Shop: A new shopping experience on your doorstep! Visit the New Lanark Spinning Co. Gift Shop located in Mill 2 at New Lanark, offering a range of contemporary gifts, books and Scottish produce including New Lanark yarn and products. Our Gift Shop is currently open Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm. We’re located just over a mile from Lanark, less than an hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

General Admission

  • Adult: £15.00 
  • Concession: £11.00
  • Child (3 - 16): £7.50
  • Child (Under 3): Free
  • Family 1 + 2: £25.00
  • Family 2 + 1: £32.00
  • Family 2 + 2: £38.00
  • Family 2 + 3: £44.00
  • Family 2 + 4: £50.00

Gift Aid

  • Adult: £16.50
  • Concession: £12.10
  • Child (3-16): £8.25
  • Child (Under 3): Free
  • Family 1 + 2: £32.50
  • Family 2 + 1: £35.20
  • Family 2 + 2: £41.80
  • Family 2 + 3: £48.40
  • Family 2 + 4: £55.00

New Lanark Soft Play

  • £4.50 per child (Children under 1 play for free)

Pricing URL: https://newlanark.org/your-visit/opening-times-prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Soft Play Party Packages

Package 1: 5 item Lunch Box

  • Sandwich
  • Juice / water
  • Sweetie
  • Yoghurt
  • Piece of fruit / fruit pot
  • Price: £13.00 per child

Package 2: Hot Buffet Option

  • Chicken nuggets
  • Pizza
  • Sausage rolls
  • Chips
  • Jelly & ice cream
  • Sweetie
  • Juice / water
  • Price £15.00 per child

Includes:

  • 2 hours exclusive use of soft play area
  • Use of packed lunch room for food and celebrations

Times:

  • Bookable daily between 3pm & 5pm subject to availability

Numbers:

  • Minimum 16 children
  • Maximum 35 children

Optional extras include:

  • Birthday cake £15.00
  • Movie of your choice at the cinema - Pricing available upon request
  • MONDAY – CLOSED*
  • TUESDAY – CLOSED*
  • WEDNESDAY T0 SUNDAY  – Open from 10am to 4pm

Address: new lanark world heritage site

Post Code: ML11 9DB

Council: South Lanarkshire

County: Lanarkshire

  • By Car: New Lanark is around an hour’s drive from Glasgow (25 miles/40 kms) or Edinburgh (35 miles/56 kms) and is well sign-posted from all major routes. Postcode for SatNav: ML11 9BY Please Note: Some online route planners and Sat Nav devices give directions to enter New Lanark via The Beeches. However, this country track is NOT recommended for vehicles. Please follow brown road signs which will direct you to New Lanark via Hyndford Road. Day visitors are required to park in the main visitor car park located at the top of the hill. The parking charge is £3 per day.
  • By Train: The nearest stations are Lanark (10-minute drive) and Carluke. 

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