The Bowes Museum |
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Where else in the world can you see a 230-year-old mechanical silver swan, still in working order, alongside a Turner or a Canaletto?
At one of the most important museums outside London - The Bowes Museum in the picturesque North Pennines market town of Barnard Castle.
Purpose built in the 19th Century, this captivating French style chateau has a charming and romantic history to tell, involving its founders, wealthy businessman John Bowes and his beautiful Parisian wife Josephine.
John, a successful entrepreneur and legendary racehorse owner, was also illegitimate. His uncertain social status left him something of an outsider in English society, and he spent an increasing amount of time in France, furthering his interest in the arts.
While in Paris he courted and married Josephine, whom he met after buying the theatre where she was an actress! A talented amateur painter, she was interested in a wide range of art forms including ceramics, furniture and textiles. It wasn't long before the couple's shared love of the arts led to the idea of creating a world class museum back in John's home town, with the aim of allowing ordinary people access to art.
John and Josephine filled their Museum with wonderful treasures. At every turn there are important and precious works from all over Europe, including paintings by El Greco and Goya; the only works by these artists outside national collections in London and Edinburgh.
At The Bowes Museum today the couple's vision continues. A new suite of ground floor galleries opened in 2007, while a state-of-the-art textiles and dress gallery is due to open in early 2009. Visitors can learn about John and Josephine's wonderful story while marvelling at the fascinating collections and acclaimed exhibition programme.
The parterre gardens can be enjoyed for their own sake or for the many and varied outdoor events taking place at regular intervals. These include an annual food festival, brass band contest, plant and garden fair, storytelling, and a Christmas market.
A wide range of indoor activities, the highly-praised Cafe Bowes - described by one critic as 'The best museum food in the North East' - and the popular gift shop have all played their part in bringing The Bowes Museum singing and dancing into the 21st Century.
The magnificent legacy that John and Josephine Bowes left has been cared for to retain its charm and romance, while sympathetic developments continue to make it a popular, vibrant and exciting day out for all ages.
Something of a coup for 2008 is the exhibition Alfred Sisley: Impressionist Landscapes, which runs from 17 May until 21 September. It is the first major display of work by Sisley, an acclaimed member of the Impressionist group, in North East England and the first outside London for half a century.
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Opening Times
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(2008 times)
Open daily 10.00 - 5.00 Winter closing at 4.00 1 Nov - 29 Feb. Closed only 25 & 26 Dec & 1 Jan. |
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Admission Charges
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(2008 prices)
Adults £7.00Concessions £6.00 Children Free (Under 16) Carers Free Free access to Café Bowes, Shop and Grounds Admissions are donation inclusive and can be Gift Aided. |
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Directions
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Car & Coach: The Bowes Museum is situated on Newgate in the picturesque market town of Barnard Castle. There is ample free parking on site, with coach and accessible parking bays. Train & Bus: 17 miles fron Darlington rail station. Bus services run regularly to Barnard Castle from Darlington (Compass Royston Travel 70)(Arriva 75 & 76), Bishop Auckland (Arriva 8) and Richmond (Hodgsons 79). Call Traveline on 0871 200 2233. |
| Show map of The Bowes Museum... |
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Nearby Attractions
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Raby Castle
(6 Miles)*
Built for the mighty dynasty of the Nevills, this great fortress stands proud and defiant, its history rolling back almost a thousand years. |
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Low Barns Nature Reserve
(11 Miles)*
Regarded as one of Durham Wildlife Trust's premier reserves, this 50 hectare wetland site contains mixed woodlands and grasslands. A recently refurbished visitor centre is open to the public and something of interest can be seen throughout the year. |
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Georgian Theatre Royal
(12 Miles)*
The Georgian Theatre Royal is Britain's most complete Georgian playhouse. It was built by the actor-manager Samuel Butler in 1788. |
| more nearby attractions... |
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Nearby Hotels
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Nearby Self Catering
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