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Opening Hours & Admission

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

The Silver Swan plays daily at 2.00.

Please note on the 6 October, the Clockwork Garden exhibition will be closed between 10.00 - 11.00.

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

Enjoy unlimited entry at The Bowes Museum and temporary exhibitions all year around.

Annual Pass - Adults £14.00
Annual Pass - Concessions (Over 60) £12.00
Family Pass - 2 Adults (Up to 4 Children) £30.00
Family Pass - 1 Adult (Up to 4 Children) £16.00
Students (On production of Student Card) £6.00
Children (Under 18) £5.00

Free Entry

National Art Pass (On production of membership card) Free entry
Friends of The Bowes Museum Free entry
Children (Under 5) 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

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 can be Gift Aided at no extra cost to you. If you are a UK Taxpayer for every £1.00 paid the Museum can reclaim 25p. 

*Not transferable, pass holders must sign in on each return visit to prove their identity. Pass valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Pass valid for normal museum opening hours only. No refunds. Full terms & conditions can be viewed here>