20 September 2025 (10:00 - 14:30)
21 September 2025 (10:00 - 14:30)
Guided Tours of the Tea Rooms
Join us for a very special free tour to learn more about the history and design of the original Willow Tea Rooms building, the restoration of this Mackintosh masterpiece, and the visionary Edwardian entrepreneur, Miss Kate Cranston.
Learn about the stories of the tea rooms and experience first-hand the astounding interior design work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald in their commitment to an Art Nouveau ‘total artwork’ approach to the building. The tour includes visits to the ground floor saloons, as well as the lesser accessed Salon de Luxe and Billiard Room.
‘Miss Cranston’s Classroom’ Family Workshop
Bring your family and get a taste of 1903 in this extra-special Living History experience. Meet businessperson Miss Kate Cranston and take part in her interactive classroom to find out if you have what it takes to work in a turn-of-the-century tea room. Come practise your mental arithmetic, copper plate handwriting, Mackintosh-inspired design skills and – most importantly – the art of serving the perfect cup of tea.
This workshop is suitable for families with children that are 9-12 years old, but all are welcome. Please be aware that Miss Cranston may be loud and sometimes strict, this may be alarming for younger children or children with additional support or sensory needs. Places are limited and booking is essential. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Both children and adults must have booked places. If you are unable to attend, please refund your tickets so that another family can participate.
This new workshop was originally developed for Primary schools with Yilin Zhu and Qiyao Hu, students from University of Glasgow's MSc Museum Education, and actress Lesley Robertson. Costume, hair and make-up were generously produced by Flavia Burroni Miglio, Gilberto Miglio and Scottish Opera. Testing for the workshop was undertaken in collaboration with Golfhill Primary School, St Brides Primary School and St Aloysius Junior School.
Workshop details & accessibility info:
Miss Cranston's Classroom workshop info
Festivalgoers who attend either of the GDODF tours at MAW will be offered a 20% discount in the Tearoom.

Overview
The original Willow Tea Rooms Building can be found at the heart of Glasgow city centre. As you step through the remarkable entrance, you are met with a variety of beautiful spaces, each with their own character and unique design, including the famous Salon de Luxe. The tea rooms were first opened by Miss Cranston in 1903 and were designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in collaboration with his wife, Margaret Macdonald.
This commission resulted in one of the most spectacular heritage attractions in the city, now known as Mackintosh at the Willow, with jewel-like interior designs and a frontage that pay testament to the unique vision of Mackintosh and Macdonald.
The thoughtful restoration by The Willow Tea Rooms Trust, with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and many others, gifted back to the nation an exceptional example of architectural heritage. National Trust for Scotland began to care for Mackintosh at the Willow in January 2024, thanks to support from members and donors as well as a generous package from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable the transfer.
To enquire further please contact obraid@nts.org.uk or telephone 0141 204 1903
For information on accessibility please visit https://www.nts.org.uk/accessibility/mackintosh-at-the-willow-accessibi…

Address
215-217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G23EX