The Bowes Museum > Visit > Visitor Information
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Opening Hours & Admission

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

Please prebook your tickets in advance.

We are undertaking a complex and painstaking conservation repair of the famous Silver Swan. This very specialised process is fantastically expensive and happens very rarely so we have made a film of the process so you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see our conservators in action.

Galleries & Exhibitions

10.00 – 5.00
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.

Adult £15.50
Concession (Over 60) £13.50
Family Pass - 2 Adults (Up to 4 Children Under 18) £31.50
Family Pass - 1 Adult (Up to 4 Children Under 18) £17.50
Students (day entry only, on production of student card) £6.00
Young People (under 18 - day entry only) £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 £10.00

Click here for more information about Groups & Coaches

Café Bowes

Open 10.00 – 4.45 Free entry

Click here for more information about Café Bowes

Gift Shop

Open 10.00 - 4.30 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

 

Closures

 

2020

 Due to floor space one of the Ceramic Galleries will be closed whilst the current government safety guidelines are in place
11-13 December 

Please note that there will be no access through the rear pedestrian gate due to the Christmas Market. The Christmas Market is outdoors this year to help us protect our visitors from COVID-19. The majority of the stalls will be on the Parterre Garden, where there is limited access to wheelchairs due to the gravelled surface. There is access to the hot food traders on the Museum terrace.  
   

 

Visitor Information Leaflet

Support Us.

Please choose an area of activity where you would most like to direct your support, i.e. supporting the upkeep of the Museum, art for young people or bringing the Museum into the park.



 

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The Bowes Museum is looking forward to welcoming you on the 17 May

Staff have been busy behind the Museum’s closed doors getting everything ready to welcome visitors back safely.

Café Bowes has undergone a refurbishment and has a new menu waiting to be sampled, the Museum has been deep cleaned, new signage is in place reminding you to adhere to social distancing, hand sanitisation stations have been refilled, the shop has been restocked and staff are being trained ready to greet you back in a safe and timely manner.

North Country Quilts: In Celebration of New Acquisitions is now hanging in the main exhibition gallery ready to wow visitors through to January 2022 and, due to social distancing measures, entry to the display will be by a separate timed exhibition entrance ticket that needs to be booked, at no extra cost, before visiting. Song has also been reinstated in the Music Room so people can enjoy the sound of the instruments. A varied programme of activity is being planned throughout May and June which we hope you will participate in.

Entry to the Museum will be by timed slots and tickets will have to be pre-booked online here or by calling 01833 690606. The Museum will be open from 10.00 to 5.00 daily. Masks will need to be worn throughout the Museum, shop and café, except when eating or where exemptions apply.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

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