This year's annual Christmas Market can still go ahead in the grounds of The Bowes Museum as planned.

The Museum has been liaising with Durham County Council so the ever-popular event in the regional calendar can still take place from Friday 11th until Sunday 13th of December. 

Visitors will be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas as they wander around more than 50 artisan stalls selling a wide variety of wares ranging from unique and handcrafted goods to fresh food and drinks.

Santa will also be making a special appearance on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of December.

 

The Bowes Museum is delighted to announce that it will be holding an exhibition from March 2021, showcasing some of the remarkable North Country quilts it has added to its collection in the last 20 years.

North Country Quilts: In Celebration of New Acquisitions follows on from the hugely successful North Country Quilts: Legend and Living Tradition, which the Museum held in 2000.

Visitors will be able to see examples of wholecloth, strippy and chintz quilts, with fabrics dating back to the 1790s as well as pieced quilts, coverlets and much, much more. Items from the collection on display will include, among others, a quilt made by Hannah Hauxwell's grandmother and a beautiful replica of an original 1930s Northern Industries Workrooms quilt made by Evelyn Jones and Elsie Gibson, who worked in the 'factory' in Barnard Castle and demonstrated their craft during the last exhibition.

The International award-winning Northern artist Martin Kinnear has produced Regeneration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It’s a powerful and moving take on the year the World came to a halt, about what happens when plans are cancelled, futures are placed in doubt and the life-affirming power of change. It’s about beauty and hope and the restorative power of contemplation and features a 16-foot high animation at its centre, inspired by High Force waterfall in Teesdale. 

It’s a humane and thoughtful artistic critique by the Wensley-based artist, who is nicknamed ‘Lefty’ after a stroke 15 years ago at the age of 35, which left him paralysed down his left side. He took Paris by storm in 2018, scooping the prestigious Medaille d’Argent at the Salon Des Beaux Art.

If you're looking for inspiration this October half term holiday or for things to do in the run up to Christmas then The Bowes Museum is bound to have something for you.

We've got a packed events programme over the coming months for you to look forward to, including: loads of children's crafts, a drive-in cinema, the return of Santa as well as our not to be missed annual outdoor Christmas Market.

Book your tickets now to guarantee you can join in the fun.

The Bowes Museum is looking for new trustees to join its board to help guide it forward and ensure its success for future generations.

People with energy and a passion for the Arts as well as practical skills and experience are invited to apply as the board aims to become more diverse, relevant and inclusive, reflecting the world around us as it maps the way forward for the 2020's.

The closing date for applications is 31 October 2020.