Archives

Two people wearing protective gloves carefully handle a mechanical bird object, with its beak and internal mechanism partially exposed, in a museum conservation or workshop setting.

The Wonder Workshop

Have you ever wondered about the museum’s collection? How the swan moves? Why Joséphine and John Bowes collected the objects

6 May 2026
Two people stand beside a glass display case in a museum setting, looking at a book or printed material together, with shelves of books and archival items visible in the background.

Volunteering Open Day

Find out more about volunteering at The Bowes Museum. Led by Co-production Volunteer Manager, Nina, you’ll enjoy short talks, museum

6 May 2026
Two young children examine a small museum display case in the Curiosity Gallery using magnifying glasses. The display contains botanical elements. Around them are various museum objects, including textiles and vintage instruments, all arranged in bright, modern exhibition shelves.

Gallery Takeover

Take a closer look at the art around you, then make something inspired by what you find. It might be

22 Apr 2026
A child sits at a bright yellow table drawing on a large sheet of white paper with a red marker. The child leans forward with one arm resting on the table while drawing a small coloured shape near the centre of the page. Containers filled with coloured pens and pencils sit on the table to both sides. In the foreground are small cardboard cut‑out shapes, and in the background a display plinth holds an object within a well‑lit indoor museum or gallery space.

Artist Makers

Make time for making; join in and get creative. An opportunity to try out new techniques, materials and experiment with

22 Apr 2026
A child holds a homemade cardboard tube up to their eye like a telescope while standing at a craft table in a brightly coloured room with orange walls. The child wears a patterned headband and a smartwatch. On the table are craft supplies, including markers, scissors, and a cardboard box decorated with drawings. An adult stands nearby, partially visible.

Nature Spotters

Gather with us in an outdoor-inspired campsite in the Conversation Gallery. Discover the fascinating world of wildlife in the parkland,

22 Apr 2026
A painted still life shows a large bouquet of flowers arranged in a blue‑and‑white ceramic vase, set on a wooden tabletop. The bouquet includes roses, poppies, irises, carnations, and small daisy‑like flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, white, and deep blue, with green leaves and stems spreading outward. The background is dark and plain, creating contrast with the brightly coloured flowers and the reflective surface of the vase.

Botany at The Bowes Museum

Step into a world where plants aren’t just part of the landscape, they’re the inspiration behind art, design and groundbreaking

13 Apr 2026
A child crouches beside a small outdoor “bug hotel” made from stacked wooden pallets filled with twigs, leaves, and natural materials. A hand‑painted sign on the front reads “BUG HOTEL” and is decorated with autumn leaves and a small illustrated insect. The child wears a long‑sleeved grey top, bright pink trousers, and trainers, and rests one hand on the structure. The setting is a park or garden with grass, fallen leaves, trees with autumn foliage, and a large tree trunk behind the bug hotel.

Bug Hotels

Join us in the wildflower meadow behind the museum to find bugs at the Bowes. Build eco-friendly bug hotels and

13 Apr 2026
A person stands behind a wooden display table in a museum or gallery shop. Stacks of books are arranged neatly on the table and in wooden crates, with a central display featuring a book titled “Gibside” showing a photograph of a formal landscape on the cover. Behind the table, shelves hold postcards, stationery, and small gift items. The setting includes an arched doorway and soft indoor lighting, suggesting a heritage or museum shop environment.

Front Row: The Bowes Legacy

Join historian and writer Val Scully, author of My Name is Eleanor, a work inspired by the life of John Bowes’ grandmother,

1 Apr 2026
A person wearing an orange apron over a yellow knitted sweater stands in a workshop space, holding a bundle of brightly coloured handmade notebooks. The notebooks are stacked together with their covers facing outward and ribbon-like ties hanging from the spines. The workshop environment includes tables, tools, and storage units in the background.

The Art of Bookbinding

In this two hour creative workshop regional artist and designer Emma Tominey will share her passion for the art of

1 Apr 2026
A young girl making art in a bright gallery space

Birthday Cards for John Bowes

Help us celebrate the birthday of The Bowes Museum’s co-founder, John Bowes. Create a special birthday card in his honour

1 Apr 2026
A person stands in the foreground of a fashion exhibition gallery, surrounded by mannequins dressed in vibrant and patterned garments. The display includes tailored suits, dresses, and coordinated outfits in colours such as red, blue, tartan, and multicoloured patchwork. The walls of the gallery are deep red, and a large framed painting hangs behind the mannequins. Exhibition lighting highlights the clothing while the room remains dim overall.

An Audience with Peter Smithson

Join us for an exclusive private view of the Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller Visionary exhibition with dinner, followed by an

30 Mar 2026
A person stands in the foreground of a fashion exhibition gallery, positioned in front of tall glass display cases. Inside the cases are mannequins dressed in tailored jackets, skirts, and patterned garments, alongside accessories such as shoes and small objects. A bright orange bag with the text “Vivienne Westwood” is visible on an upper shelf to the left. Additional mannequins wearing coordinated outfits stand to the right of the person. The space is dimly lit with display lighting highlighting the clothing and objects against dark walls.

Front Row: Making Westwood

Join designer and Northumbria University Fashion Professor Emma Jane Goldsmith for insights into the cut and construction methods of Vivienne

27 Mar 2026