The Bowes Museum’s Christmas Market – always a popular fixture in the regional calendar– is expanding.

Festive shoppers can look forward to two days of seasonal shopping at this free event in the Museum grounds on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December, from 10.00-4.00, with over 90 stalls featuring gifts and produce from some of the finest suppliers in the North East.

This year, for the first time, there will be a free park and ride scheme in operation. The ‘Santa Bus’, operated by Cumbria Classic Coaches, will leave GlaxoSmithKline car park in the town’s Harmire Road, for the Museum at regular intervals.

Santa himself will be snug in his grotto inside the Museum, while his reindeer will brave the elements to be fed and petted by visitors. Admission to the grotto is £4.50 per child, which includes free admission to the Museum for one accompanying adult, children’s activities and a Christmas trail.

A wide variety of goods will be on sale at the market, including local meats and chocolates, Christmas cakes, liqueurs, festive wreaths, cupcakes, jewellery, paintings and pottery.

Adding to the weekend’s welcoming atmosphere is a range of musicians and community choirs, performing a mixture of contemporary and classical Christmas music.

Having whetted your festive appetite, why not take the opportunity to view the Museum’s latest exhibition, Feast Your Eyes: the Fashion of Food in Art, which is also included in the above admission. A celebration of the representation of food in art over the past five centuries, it truly is a feast for the eyes.

The Museum’s Café Bowes is free to access, as is the shop which is stocked with an attractive range of seasonal gifts including wines and confectionery.

Disabled drivers unable to use the Park and Ride scheme will still be able to park free of charge in the Museum grounds, on production of their badge. Others wishing to park at the Museum will be charged £5.00 per vehicle.

The Museum’s Events Organiser, Rosie Bradford, said: “We’re so excited about having the spectacular Christmas Market for a whole weekend. Everyone is welcome, so take a ride on the free Santa bus and enjoy the magical atmosphere and fantastic food, drink and shopping at one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in the UK.”

For press images or more information, please contact Sheila Dixon, Media and PR Officer 01833 694616 / sheila.dixon@thebowesmuseum.org.uk

The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and Shop are open daily from 10.00. A full programme of events and exhibitions is available by calling 01833 690606 or by viewing the website at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

Editors’ notes

• The Bowes Museum was created over 100 years ago by an extraordinary couple, John and Joséphine Bowes. Together they built up the greatest private collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England and constructed a magnificent building to house them in. The collection contains thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and many other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods.
• The Bowes Museum receives a core funding grant from Durham County Council and as a member of the North East Regional Museums Hub receives support from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport through the Museums, Library and Archives Council Renaissance programme. Additional revenue funding specifically for the Museum’s acclaimed exhibition programme is provided by Northern Rock Foundation.
• The Bowes Museum has recently undergone major redevelopment. This work was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, One NorthEast through the County Durham Economic Partnership, English Heritage, Northern Rock Foundation, The Monument Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The European Regional Development Fund, DCMS/Wolfson Museum and Galleries Improvement Fund, Designation Challenge Fund, The Shears Foundation, The Richard and Suzanna Tonks Family Fund at County Durham Foundation, Durham County Council, The Friends of The Bowes Museum, The Headley Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, Fenwick Ltd, Mercers Charitable Foundation, Welton Foundation. While we are endeavouring to keep as much of the collections on display as possible, visitors are advised to call ahead if wishing to see a specific item to check if it is on display.
• Normal admission to the museum: Adults £9.00, Concessions £8.00, Six Month Pass £12.00, Children Free (under 16s). Admission allows access to all exhibitions, permanent displays and some events. Admissions are donation inclusive and are eligible for Gift Aid. If you do not wish to make a charitable donation admission prices are: Adults £8.15, Concessions £7.25, Six Month Pass £10.00, Children (under 16) and carers free.
• The Bowes Museum is open daily from 10.00am.
• The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions. Our commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service: hotline number 0191 301 8531, www.discoverdurham.co.uk.

 

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