Group Visits

“The most exhilarating and delightful shock the county has to offer.”

Situated on the edge of the small market town of Barnard Castle, County Durham, The Bowes Museum offers something for everybody to enjoy. Co-founded by Joséphine and John Bowes, the museum is a testament to one couples love of collecting art and their desire to share it with others. Today, The Bowes Museum is a foremost museum in the North, housing one of the finest art collections outside of London.

Walk through the doors of the impressive French-styled building and you’ll see an extraordinary collection of European art, design, textiles, silver and ceramics. Spanning seven centuries of human creativity, the 22 galleries house some of the world’s best-known artists including Van Dyck, Goya and Canaletto, as well as the world famous Silver Swan – one of the world’s oldest and finest automaton. We will help you craft the best experience for your clients, including an outstanding changing exhibition programme, 22 acres of scenic parkland, the award winning Café Bowes and the ever-popular Bowes Museum Shop.

Awards and Accolades

The Bowes Museum is delighted to have been recognised in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025 and 2026. Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. Coupled with our 2025 Visit England score of 95%, as well as the Museum & Heritage Awards Café of the Year 2024 accolade, we offer a quality day out, seeking to ensure everybody who visits us has a great day out and wants to return as our offer seasonally changes. If considering bring a groups of any description, we would encourage reaching out to one of our team to find our more. We look forward to welcoming you to the museum, once described as “..big, bold and incongruous… gloriously inappropriate.”

Why The Bowes Museum Should be on your Itineraries

World Class Changing Exhibitions: Exclusive to the Bowes Museum
Iconic Architecture: A striking 19th-century building inspired by French Town Hall, offering instant “wow factor” upon arrival
The Silver Swan: A must-see daily demonstration of this world-famous 18th-century automaton – a highlight of any visit and a memory that lasts a lifetime.
Diverse Collections: Fine art, fashion, ceramics, and decorative arts spanning centuries – Canelletto, Turner, Hockney, Goya, Gallo and so much more…
Everyone can Create: Visitors can create their own artwork in the Create Space, a fully equipped resource encouraging you to get hands on.
Beautiful Grounds: 22 acres of parkland with woodland walks, bench seating, accessible paths, a spring flowering meadow, and rich wildlife – a walk in the grounds is an integral part of any visit.
Retail Therapy: Our popular museum shop has an ever-changing range of products for all budgets, from souvenirs to special gifts
An Award Winning Café: Visit Café Bowes, winner of the prestigious Museum & Heritage Awards “Café of the Year” – great service, tasty food, refreshing drinks and dietary requirements catered for.

Perfect for Group Travel

Located just 13 miles from the A1 at Scotch Corner and only 3.5 miles from the A66, The Bowes Museum is ideally suited for coach groups and organised tours visiting the North of England.

• Open 7 days a week, all year round except 25th & 26th December and 1st Jan
• Dedicated group rate of only £15.50 per person in groups of 12 or more
• Complementary admission for the Group Organiser and Driver worth £31.00
• £7.50 voucher for the Driver to use in Café Bowes
• Free onsite coach parking and easy access to the building
• Free daily timed short talks across the museum
• A range of bespoke specialist tours and tailored experiences for groups is available with one of our specialist curators (fees apply)
• On-site café and retail opportunities
• Lift between floors
• Hearing loops available
• 3D Accessibility Tour
• Dwell time: ideal for groups visits of 1-4 hours
• Close to local amenities including Barnard Castle Town Centre (10 minutes walk)

Ready to book?

Our team are on hand to help with any further enquiries, information or to arrange a recce visit. Please call on 01833 690606, email groups@thebowesmuseum.org.uk or complete the enquiry form.