Historic house, gardens and family play in one visit
Book Bowood House & Gardens tickets for a full family day out in the Wiltshire countryside. Explore the historic house, wander through landscaped gardens and parkland, then let children burn off energy in the Adventure Playground and The Den & Activity Barn.
Bowood House & Gardens is open from 27 March to 1 November 2026. A standard House & Gardens ticket includes the house, Terrace and Walled Gardens, Arboretum, parkland, Adventure Playground, and The Den & Activity Barn.
There is plenty to suit different ages. Younger children can enjoy water play, tractor play, sand and role-play activities at The Den, while older children can tackle the pirate ship, aerial walkways, jumping pillows and slides in the Adventure Playground. Families can also pick up an activity sheet and explore the Arboretum Tree Trail, wildlife guide or nature scavenger hunt.
The Woodland Garden is a separate seasonal attraction with its own ticket type, so choose a combined ticket if you would like to visit both areas.
The Woodland Garden has its own opening season and ticket category, so it should not be treated as standard entry unless you book the correct ticket. For more family attractions nearby, see our Wiltshire days out.
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Day Tickets to House & Gardens give access to Bowood House, the formal gardens and parkland, the Adventure Playground, The Den & Activity Barn, and the Walled Garden during standard opening hours. Official opening hours for House & Gardens are 10:30 to 17:30, with last admission at 16:30.
Bowood House & Gardens is open daily from 10:30 to 17:30, with last admission at 16:30. The Adventure Playground and The Den are open from 10:30 to 17:15, with play equipment closing from 17:00.
Free visitor parking is available next to admissions. For sat-nav, use SN11 9NF for the House & Gardens entrance. Do not use the Golden Gates entrance for the hotel, spa and golf resort.
Bowood works especially well for families who want a mix of history, outdoor space and proper play. Start with the grand rooms of Bowood House, including the Sculpture Gallery, Orangery, Library, Chapel and Laboratory, then make your way outside for gardens, trails and family activities.
Bowood House has been the home of the Lansdowne family since 1754 and includes Georgian interiors, fine art and historical objects. Visitors can explore spaces such as the Sculpture Gallery, Orangery, Library, Chapel and Laboratory, where Dr Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen gas.
The Adventure Playground is designed for families with children aged 12 and under and centres around a full-sized pirate ship, aerial walkways, scramble nets, rope bridges and slides. Younger children can use the Under 7s Partridge Play Pen, while The Den & Activity Barn offers tractor play, den building, sand play, indoor role play and water play.
Beyond the main play areas, Bowood also offers the Walled Garden, Terrace Garden, Arboretum and a signed Arboretum Tree Trail featuring 24 notable trees. Families can also look out for the Cascade, Hermit's Cave and the Doric Temple while walking the grounds.
Last admission to House & Gardens is 16:30.
Adventure Playground and The Den operate from 10:30 to 17:15, with equipment locked from 17:00.
Walled Garden is open daily from 12:00 to 16:30, with last entry at 16:00.
Treehouse Café opens 10:00 to 17:00.
The Stables opens 11:00 to 16:00 on weekends and holidays.
The Kiosk opens 11:00 to 16:45 on weekends and holidays.
Woodland Garden is a separate attraction with a separate opening period and separate ticket category.
BIG Easter Adventure runs from 28/03/2026 to 12/04/2026.
Some special events and activities are not included in standard admission.
Bowood House & Gardens
Bowood House & Gardens, Bowood House, Bowood, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 0LZ, England
Tel: 01249812102
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
Last updated: 15:07 07/04/2026
Most asked questions relating to Bowood House & Gardens.
Standard House & Gardens day tickets include entry to Bowood House, the formal gardens and parkland, the Walled Garden, the Adventure Playground and The Den & Activity Barn. The Woodland Garden is a separate attraction and needs the relevant ticket unless you book a combined option.
