The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle, County DurhamAbout The Bowes Museum
The young and the young-at-heart can explore The Bowes Museum through the provision of interactive games and activities throughout the Museum.
Grab yourselves a family guidebook from the Reception Desk and explore the collections to your hearts' content!
Events, including our ever-popular family fun days and art and craft workshops take place throughout the year at weekends and during the school holidays.
The new Story Garden is also open regularly for tales of adventure and feats of daring do!
The beautiful park and gardens, featuring the newly opened play area and woodland walks, are an endless source of pleasure for family visitors.
The recent addition of a nature trail complements our 'Bags of Fun' which have been filled with games and activities and can be enjoyed in the grounds.
Both are available from the Museum's Reception Desk.
From the famous Silver Swan to the infamous two-headed calf, The Bowes Museum has lots to offer on a fun filled family day out!
Opening Times
Galleries and Exhibitions
Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00
Closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Pricing & Tickets
Children under 16: Free
Adults: £10.50
Concessions: £9.50
Students: £6.00
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to The Bowes Museum by visiting our attraction tickets section.
FAQs
Contact Details
Verification & Last Updated
Verified Status:
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
Last Updated: 16:47 24/07/2026
The Bowes Museum Reviews
Recent blog posts

Discover the Kids Aloud campaign for summer 2026! Explore fun, kid-focused events at museums and galleries across the UK with your family. Perfect for curious minds!

The summer holidays have well and truly arrived, and exciting events are popping up across the UK. From outdoor adventures and family festivals to themed trails, live shows and hands-on activities, there is plenty to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a big day out or looking for budget-friendly fun, we’ve rounded up brilliant summer events to…

TL;DR: Get ready for an enchanting summer at BeWILDerwood with their BeWILDerfest event! Expect music, stories, a vibrant trail, and exciting character meet-and-greets. Plus, you can grab a fantastic 25% discount on summer tickets for a limited time. It’s the perfect family adventure! Key info at a glance Location BeWILDerwood is located at Horning Road,…

Plan teen-friendly family holidays with freedom, better food, strong activities and enough space for everyone to enjoy the trip.

Get ready for a sensational summer! West Midlands Safari Park is hosting a K-Pop Summer event this August 2026 with live performances, dance lessons, and exciting character meet and greets. Discover more!

Find the best holidays for teens, from beach breaks to all inclusive stays, city breaks and activity trips, with destination ideas parents can trust.

The Summer holidays have well and truly ARRIVED and there’s plenty of up and coming summer events kicking off to get excited for! Read on to find out what’s happening near you… The UK Family Days Out Everyone’s Booking This Summer Cockfields Farm, Ashton-under-Lyne From 25th July to 31st August 2026, Cockfields Farm Park is…

Explore resort holidays for pre-teens with bigger pools, waterparks, kids’ clubs, sports and safe independence, plus family-friendly TUI options.
