A pain in the (gl)ass (Barbican Glassworks (Plymouth))

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Barbican Glassworks (Plymouth)
Date:	31/03/09 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: occasionally you get to see glass blowing

Disadvantages: prices, staff

I was surprised to see this on Dooyoo under 'sightseeing', and now I understand their cunning thinking behind it! The Barbican Glassworks is a glorified shop in the centre of the Barbican (right next to the water). The building is huge, modern and all glass, making it stick out like a sore thumb in the historical area (how it got planning permission I don't know).

So what is it? It's a large, one storey shop that sells pretty much anything glass, as well as maritime ornaments and bits and bobs. The emphasis is mostly on pricey, with vases and the like priced at at least £50, and contains many of the things you tend to find in the Daily Telegraph catalogues: barometers, ornamental ship's wheels etc. The only fun thing there is a nice selection of marbles, which will set you back a fair bit of money.

The items are set out like you're in a gallery, but the truth is very little of it is made in the store. The atmosphere is pretty snooty, and the staff have a tendency to look down on children and family groups, despite selling marbles which cater mostly to them.

The fuss about this place is the bit at the back where you can see glass blowing and craftmen at work. In theory this is a unique selling point, that no doubt helped them get their planning permission, but in reality it soon grows old seeing glass heated up and blown. Also, half the time there is nothing going on!

All in all, this is a presumptuous place that thinks it's something special when really it's an over-priced eye sore that occasionally features some bloke in overalls blowing a blob of glass.

Summary: don't bother!