October Half Term

24 October – 3 November 2025

School’s out! Make it one to remember with a great value day out at The Bowes Museum.

With daily self-led activities and trails, friendly and engaging 11:00 Spotlight Tours offering a bitesize introduction to the collection, and guided activities inside and out, the whole family can spend quality time together, get creative and feel inspired.

Activities this autumn include Regal Beasts with Maddie Anew on Monday, Bat Boxes on Tuesday and Thursday and Family Story Tours on Wednesday and Friday. The ever-popular Stay and Play runs every Thursday, and Artist Maker Workshops are held every Saturday afternoon in the Create Space.

Take a breath of fresh air in the 22 acres of beautiful parkland with a children’s play area, inspiring outdoor art installations by Nathan ColeyMartin Smith and Claire A Baker, and  outdoor Café area offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy a bite to eat overlooking Teesdale.

Don’t miss the interactive exhibition, Pippa Hale: Pet Project and from Saturday, 27 Setember catch Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail, a display commemorating the bicentary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

There’s something for adults too, with the pop-up Not just Nude display and Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion, an inspiring exhibition showing the innovation and craftsmanship of the Bowes’ textile collection, with rare-surviving pieces from Joséphine’s wardrobe, and ensembles of French fashion on show together for the first time.

All activities are included with Membership or day admission, and don’t forget, under 18’s always go free!

Daily

Spotlight Tour

A friendly and informative introduction to an exhibition, the collection or building. Led by The Bowes Museum’s team of Visitor Attendants, Curators and Volunteer Tour Guides, join us for an informal 30-minute tour, everyday at 11:00, and 2:30 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to find out more.

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Activities for Families and Young People

Stay and Play

Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session. Suitable for children up to 5 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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Hands working on a mixed-media craft activity.

Artist Makers

Inspire your curiosity and creativity in these weekly, artist-led workshops. Experiment with different materials and techniques, and create something unique to take home with you, inspired by the museum’s collections and exhibitions, nature and other seasonal events.   Drop-in sessions in the Create Space, included in Membership and day admission. Recommended for ages 8+, children

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An example of a cat and dog bisque figurine against a pink background

Pet Project Bisque Pottery Workshop

Feeling inspired by Pippa Hale: Pet Project? Join Mud & More Pottery to paint your own bisque pottery cat or dog, cast from 18th and 19th objects in The Bowes Museum’s collection. Each piece will be fired off-site in Mud and More’s kiln, and you’ll have three weeks to return and collect your unique creation.

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Two young people creating animal origami in Pippa Hale: Pet Project

Regal Beasts with Maddie Agnew

Create a Victorian-style portrait of your pet in this playful workshop with artist Maddie Agnew. Take inspiration from the museum’s galleries as you paint your own masterpiece on canvas, whether it’s a dashing dog in uniform or a sassy cat in ruffles. In this 3-and-a-half-hour workshop you will have step-by-step guidance and all materials provided

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A boy wearing a striped t-shirt, putting items in a cardboard box.

Bat Boxes

Join us this autumn you build your own bat box from recycled materials or decorate a ready-made one. Take your creation home to welcome bats into your own garden.   Activity taking place in the Outdoor Classroom (in between the Bowling Green and Tennis Court behind the museum) or Create Space in the case of

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A woman pointing towards a ceramic in Pippa Hale: Pet Project with two young children

Purr-fect Story Tour

Do you want to learn more about Pippa Hale: Pet Project? Join one of our activators for the purr-fect story tour in which the exhibition will be brought to life. Hear how the museum’s pet ceramics have inspired this exhibition and find out more about animal art in the galleries.  Booking required, meet in the

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Other talks, tours and events

A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a teal sleeveless top looking at a museum guide in front of a deep blue wall displaying three framed paintings, with a bright, art-filled gallery visible through an arched doorway.

LGBTQIA+ Object Trail

Explore The Bowes Museum’s collection through a different lens and learn about the stories and emotions objects hold through the lived experiences of those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Trail booklets are available to collect at Reception. This trail has been co-produced by Be You at The Bowes, an LGBTQIA+ working group.

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A man wearing a blue pinstripe suit, white shirt, and glasses sits on a wooden chair against a dark blue background, posed with hands clasped.

Chris Difford: A Little Stand-Up And A Little Sit-Down

Chris Difford: A Little Stand-Up and A Little Sit-Down, live in concert at The Bowes Museum Enjoy an intimate performance by double Ivor Novello award-winning lyricist and founding member of the rock group Squeeze, Chris Difford, at The Bowes Museum. Featuring songs from both the Squeeze catalogue and Difford’s solo albums, spanning his entire musical

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Your Visit

Discover wonders at every turn.

Image of a family looking at The Bowes Museum

Plan Your Visit

School’s out! Make it one to remember with a great value day out at The Bowes Museum.

With daily self-led activities and trails, friendly and engaging 11:00 Spotlight Tours offering a bitesize introduction to the collection, and guided activities inside and out, the whole family can spend quality time together, get creative and feel inspired.

Activities this autumn include Regal Beasts with Maddie Anew on Monday, Bat Boxes on Tuesday and Thursday and Family Story Tours on Wednesday and Friday. The ever-popular Stay and Play runs every Thursday, and Artist Maker Workshops are held every Saturday afternoon in the Create Space.

Take a breath of fresh air in the 22 acres of beautiful parkland with a children’s play area, inspiring outdoor art installations by Nathan ColeyMartin Smith and Claire A Baker, and  outdoor Café area offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy a bite to eat overlooking Teesdale.

Don’t miss the interactive exhibition, Pippa Hale: Pet Project and from Saturday, 27 Setember catch Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail, a display commemorating the bicentary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

There’s something for adults too, with the pop-up Not just Nude display and Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion, an inspiring exhibition showing the innovation and craftsmanship of the Bowes’ textile collection, with rare-surviving pieces from Joséphine’s wardrobe, and ensembles of French fashion on show together for the first time.

All activities are included with Membership or day admission, and don’t forget, under 18’s always go free!

LEARN MORE
Image of a child looking at a kids automata from Cabaret Mechanical Theatre whilst holding a puffin teddy

Book Tickets

School’s out! Make it one to remember with a great value day out at The Bowes Museum.

With daily self-led activities and trails, friendly and engaging 11:00 Spotlight Tours offering a bitesize introduction to the collection, and guided activities inside and out, the whole family can spend quality time together, get creative and feel inspired.

Activities this autumn include Regal Beasts with Maddie Anew on Monday, Bat Boxes on Tuesday and Thursday and Family Story Tours on Wednesday and Friday. The ever-popular Stay and Play runs every Thursday, and Artist Maker Workshops are held every Saturday afternoon in the Create Space.

Take a breath of fresh air in the 22 acres of beautiful parkland with a children’s play area, inspiring outdoor art installations by Nathan ColeyMartin Smith and Claire A Baker, and  outdoor Café area offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy a bite to eat overlooking Teesdale.

Don’t miss the interactive exhibition, Pippa Hale: Pet Project and from Saturday, 27 Setember catch Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail, a display commemorating the bicentary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

There’s something for adults too, with the pop-up Not just Nude display and Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion, an inspiring exhibition showing the innovation and craftsmanship of the Bowes’ textile collection, with rare-surviving pieces from Joséphine’s wardrobe, and ensembles of French fashion on show together for the first time.

All activities are included with Membership or day admission, and don’t forget, under 18’s always go free!

LEARN MORE
Image of an adult and child playing with outdoor toys in the Museum grounds

Park & Gardens

School’s out! Make it one to remember with a great value day out at The Bowes Museum.

With daily self-led activities and trails, friendly and engaging 11:00 Spotlight Tours offering a bitesize introduction to the collection, and guided activities inside and out, the whole family can spend quality time together, get creative and feel inspired.

Activities this autumn include Regal Beasts with Maddie Anew on Monday, Bat Boxes on Tuesday and Thursday and Family Story Tours on Wednesday and Friday. The ever-popular Stay and Play runs every Thursday, and Artist Maker Workshops are held every Saturday afternoon in the Create Space.

Take a breath of fresh air in the 22 acres of beautiful parkland with a children’s play area, inspiring outdoor art installations by Nathan ColeyMartin Smith and Claire A Baker, and  outdoor Café area offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy a bite to eat overlooking Teesdale.

Don’t miss the interactive exhibition, Pippa Hale: Pet Project and from Saturday, 27 Setember catch Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail, a display commemorating the bicentary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

There’s something for adults too, with the pop-up Not just Nude display and Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion, an inspiring exhibition showing the innovation and craftsmanship of the Bowes’ textile collection, with rare-surviving pieces from Joséphine’s wardrobe, and ensembles of French fashion on show together for the first time.

All activities are included with Membership or day admission, and don’t forget, under 18’s always go free!

LEARN MORE

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