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Opening Hours & Admission

The Bowes Museum is open daily. Closed only 25 & 26 December & 1 January.

On the 30 and 31 July there will be a special opening event for the interactive family exhibition: The Clockwork Garden. An admission charge of £5.00 per adult will be applied at the front gate which includes admission to the event and the Museum. Please note that there will no entry through the rear pedestrian gate between 9.00 and 5.30 on these days.


The Silver Swan plays daily at 2.00.

Galleries & Exhibitions

10.00 – 5.00, Free Daily Tours running 30 April - 31 October at 11.30 from reception
Smartify - Download this free app on the App Store or via Google play, then scan, identify and uncover the great stories behind some of your favourite artworks.

Admission Price

Admission includes entry to all temporary exhibitions. Children go free.

Adults £10.50
Concessions (Over 60) £9.50
Students (On production of Student Card) £6.00
6 Month Admission Pass* £16.00

Free Entry

National Art Pass (On production of membership card) Free entry
Friends of The Bowes Museum Free entry
Children (Under 16) Free entry
Accompanying Carers Free entry

Groups & Coaches

Pre-booked groups of 12+ paying visitors £7.00
Click here for more information about Groups & Coaches

Café Bowes

Open 10.00 – 4.30 Free entry
Click here for more information about Café Bowes

Gift Shop

Open 10.00 - 4.45 Free entry
Excluding Saturday (10.00 - 4.45) Free entry
Click here for more information about our Shop

Reading Room

Operating on a two-week rota, for dates and times click here Free entry

Anyone wishing to access the new facility is advised to make an appointment, which will also enable them to check that we hold the relevant material they seek.

To book call 01833 690606 ext 208, email libraryandarchives@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or write to The Reference Library and Archives, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP.

Click here for more information about the Reading Room

Weddings

8 July The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery and the Silver Swan Gallery will be closed 12.00 - 1.50. If the weather is inclement, the Religious Picture Gallery will be closed 12.30 - 3.30
15 July The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery and the Music Room will be closed all day. If the weather is inclement, the Religious Picture Gallery will be closed from 2.30. 
29 July The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery and the Music Room will be closed all day
19 August The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery and the Music Room will be closed all day
20 August The Music Room will be closed from 1.00
20 October The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery will be closed from 2.30
21 October The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery and the Music Room will be closed all day

The Nineteenth Century Picture Gallery and the Silver Swan Gallery will be closed 12.00 - 1.50

If the weather is inclement, the Religious Picture Gallery will be closed 12.30 - 3.30

Gift Aid

The Bowes Museum is a registered charity. Admissions are donation inclusive and can be Gift Aided. For every £1.00 paid the Museum can reclaim 28p. If you are not a UK taxpayer or do not wish to make a charitable donation the admission prices are as follows: Adults £9.25, Concessions £8.50, 6 Month Admission Pass £14.00.

*Not transferable, pass holders must sign in on each return visit to prove their identity. Pass valid for 6 months from date of purchase. Pass valid for normal museum opening hours only. No refunds. Full terms & conditions can be viewed here>