The Bowes Museum

05.03.2025

You can purchase the cost or partial cost of the ticket with Tesco vouchers. I would definitely recommend a visit it's a larger museum than we anticipated, and it takes a long time to go around and look at everything properly. Make sure you include watching the automaton 'Silver swan' that is displayed at 2pm every day. It's a wonderful creation

05.03.2025

Wonderful collection of Vivienne Westwoods clothes, as well as a fantastic selection of historical costumes. Very helpful staff and volunteers. Thoroughly enjoyed my visit .

02.03.2025

This is a wonderful art museum with many fascinating pieces. The background story to the collection is very interesting. The cafe served good food and drink with a view of the grounds. We bought an annual ticket and will definitely return to see another featured exhibition.

11.11.2023

Visited December. Loads of old stuff (tat) to look at. There is a big painting of a cow a mechanical arm playing notes on an organ and someone in a shark suit on a skateboard riding into a river; made the hour drive worth it! The staff were great, some were as stuffy as the antiquities. The metal swan wasn’t out, getting fixed or something, didn’t miss it, bit of old junk probably worth more as scrap. Bought a local season ticket as it was cheaper than a day ticket still £27. Don’t think I will be using it again. Had a look in the cafe didn’t fancy a sandwich for £8. Woke Christmas / merry winter😂

27.02.2025

We were received by a warm reception team who ushered us to gallery of collection. We were later introduced to the tour guard who was very humane, courteous and respectful and explain lessons from different artefacts associating it with a historic relevance. My son was thrilled with two latin words which he hopes to tell his classmates and teacher upon resumption on Monday. We were also ushered into a hall where we were told a story about a Silver Swan who had lived about 2 centuries ago as well as watched a display of the swan. We also visited the cafe where we ordered vegetarian food recipes which we enjoyed eating. Simply put, Bowes Museum is a must visit for every family. It was an eventful outing with my family. We will visit again

11.08.2019

Not only a museum of international acclaim, but it uses its spaces to showcase local companies such as Eliot Smith Dance to bring high quality contemporary dance to local people. Very much in the educational spirit of the founders. Well worth a visit and a ticket is valid for a year too!!!!

26.10.2019

We are so fortunate to have this fabulous museum in Barnard Castle. Beautiful museum and grounds with many interesting permanent exhibitions: art, furniture, textiles, toys, china and antiquities-every time you go, you will find something new. Displays are regularly changed with items from the archives and Weber had some crowd pulling temporary exhibitions such as the current Vivienne Westwood, not forgetting the fabulous Silver Swan. Helpful staff, excellent cafe/ restaurant and a good shop full of interesting items. Good value annual pass.

15.02.2025

Very good place. Love the history and many paintings set out for all to see. Music room is my favourite room by far. Really bice and calm. Thr café is amazing. I'm surprised this is quite a quiet place. Home if the silver swan. Also includes things for kids which include crafty areas which are great, such nice staff, and has many oppertunities for everyone. Such great service and barely any wait.

14.02.2025

Beautiful building with loads to see and friendly helpful staff

13.02.2025

Lovely stately home/museum. Lots of interesting paintings and ceramics plus other 'odd ball' curios. The cafe was quite pricey but the food was good with quite a bit of choice. It's in a lovely part of the country 5 mins away from the centre of Barnard Castle. Take a leaf out of Domonic Cummins book and test your eyesight driving there!

31.12.2021

Lovely grounds for a crisp walk in the winter, cafe exceptional service and food.

08.02.2025

Expensive though

08.02.2025

Expensive though

05.02.2025

The museum is huge. We went to view a special exhibition about the artist Norman Cornish and comparing him with L S Lowry. The exhibition has finished but I mention it because it was extremely well curated and if this is typical of their approach thenI will be returning. The rest of the museum is a bit of a mishmash of everything you could imagine. Some of it is a bit random but everything is well presented with good interpretation notes. The cafe, although very busy, was excellent and to be thoroughly recommended. You can reserve a table and I would recommend this if visiting at the weekend.

03.02.2025

Fantastic day at Bowes Museum! What a wonderful building, beautiful setting, superb and varied paintings. Our guide was most interesting. My advice is this: If you haven't been then go! If you have been, then go again. It's impossible to see everything in one visit. Cafe was very good. We had lunch there and returned for tea and cake later. All the staff we met at Bowes Museum were helpful, polite and most pleasant. We loved the automaton Swan talk and demonstration at 2pm.

02.02.2025

Loved it, especially the Vivienne Westwood exhibits and the lace. Real artistry, drawing on the past. Perfect context for display.

01.02.2025

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle, and I was utterly captivated by the stunning architecture, picturesque views, and beautifully maintained gardens. As I approached the museum, the French-style chateau struck me with its grandeur. The intricate stonework and classical design details were a visual feast, reminiscent of a palace one might stumble upon in the heart of France rather than rural England. The gardens were equally enchanting. I strolled through the formal terraces, admiring the carefully curated flower beds bursting with colours, and found myself lost in the serene beauty of the informal landscapes that seemed to unfold naturally around every corner. The play of light and shadow through the trees created a peaceful ambiance that was both uplifting and calming. From every vantage point, the views were breathtaking. The chateau served as a majestic backdrop to the vibrant garden scenes, and each window of the museum offered a new perspective on the surrounding beauty. It was a harmonious blend of art, history, and nature that resonated deeply with me, making my visit to the Bowes Museum a truly memorable experience.

22.01.2025

Fantastic