Heritage Open Day

Enjoy free entry as we take part in National Heritage Open Day.  Take in more than 50,000 items ranging from furniture and fashion to paintings and sculpture, ceramics, silver and metals too. Come and see The Magic of the Silver Swan exhibition and Vivienne Westwood display – A COLLECTOR’S STORY: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood. We’re pulling out all the stops for this years Heritage Open Day and opening up behind the scenes to visitors, showing you rooms and stores that aren’t normally on show. Book onto a behind the scenes tour upon arrival, limited spaces available. Drop into the Jubilee Room throughout the day to listen to our guest speakers, ranging from artists and curators to directors and opportunities to get involved with The Bowes Museum.

Garden Talks 

Location: Meet by the Flag Poles 

Join Sue Fielder to discover significant areas of interest in the Bowes parklands. Inspect the sundial to find out about the late Queen Mother’s story, Founders’ tombs, see the war memorials, fountain (former band stand) and site of intended chapel including the lime tree walk. Sign up required on the day- capacity limited to 15 people 

 11.00*, 12.00 and 2.00 

Barnard Castle Bowling Club 

Location: Bowling Club 

Meet June Parkin for a tour around the 1910 Grade II listed clubhouse and find out how to be involved in the Barnard Castle Bowling Club. Sign up required on the day- capacity limited to 6 people. 

 1.30, 2.15, 3.00 and 3.45 

Behind the scenes – Booking required upon arrival

The Vaults 

Location: Meet in reception

Visit the The vault store, which currently houses furniture recently relocated from a gallery on the first floor which had been used as a store for the last fifteen years.  Come along and hear about the logistics of planning and relocating large objects within the Museum. Also hear about the upcoming Curiosity Sign up required on the day- capacity limited to 10 people. 

 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00 

The Glass Cube 

Location: Fashion and Textile Gallery 

Meet Rachel Whitworth, Curator of Fashion & Textiles who will talk about how the Glass Cube is used as a display space, store and work area, and participants will have a chance to see treasures not usually on display. Sign up required on the day- capacity limited to 10 people 

 11.00, 12.00, 1.30, 2.30, 3.30 

Meet the Curator – 3rd Floor 

Location: Meet in Green Gallery 

View the reserve collection of paintings in store and look up-close at some highlights. Sign up required on the day – capacity limited to 10 people 

 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00 

The Conservation Studio – 3rd Floor 

Location: Meet in Green Gallery 

Meet Textile Conservator Cecilia Oliver who will introduce how textile collections are prepared for display, from assessing condition to mounting. Sign up required on the day- capacity limited to 10 people 

 11.00, 12.00, 1.30, 2.30, 3.30 

Spotlight Talks 

Location: Meet by the object sign 

Meet the team of volunteer guides and find out more about the collections, with tours scheduled throughout the day in the galleries. No booking needed meet by the object. 

 11.00: led by Visitor Assistant 

 * Talks marked with an asterix are British Sign Language (BSL) supported

Jubilee Talks 

Location: Meet in Jubilee Room 

Drop into the Jubilee room throughout the day and listen to our guest speakers 

No booking needed 

 * Talks marked with an asterix are British Sign Language (BSL) supported

Further Events on the day 

10.00 – 3.30 

The Camera Obscura  

Location: on the Parterre 

From the Latin words for dark room or dark chamber, has an aperture through which light travels, creating images of outside objects which are projected live onto a viewing surface. The artist Canaletto used this method to create the beautiful paintings that are on display in the painting galleries. The Camera Obscura will be situated outside for the duration of the day for you to visit. 

Bright Woods Forest Schools 

Location: Fountain 

Join artists Gemma and Louise from Bright Woods Forest School outside to build your own floating creations and try them out in the fountain. Inspired by nature, we’ll use natural materials in this fun and splashy activity. 

Parkland Play  

Location: Gravel Drive in front of Museum 

Borrow hula hoops, balls and bats to play in the parkland. Try out some of the ideas from the Play Park Play Book available free from reception. 

Pots and Pots Talking Table  

Location: 2nd Floor Ceramics Gallery 

Meet the education team and learn about the uses of pots through history, Bronze Age Beakers, Greek Amphora and Tudor Pipkins with a few more surprises along the way. 

Stay and Play  

Location: 2nd Floor Ceramics Gallery 

A space for young children (under 5) to relax and play amongst the collections. 

Artist Maker Workshops 

Drop in workshops 

Wet Vault -Charlie Brookes – Get messy with clay 

Streatlam Gallery – Lesley Rose – Animated Shoes – design and make your own shoe and watch it move around the gallery on it’s own. 

Fashion/Textiles – Jane Young – Create a colourful sun catcher inspired by Jacques Gruber Stained Glass Window. 

Friends of the Bowes Museum Information Table 

Location: Toy Gallery 

An opportunity to find out how to be a member and much more. 

How to be a Volunteer Information Table 

Location: Blue Gallery 

An opportunity to find out how to be a volunteer and the many roles available with Jess White 

The Bowes Museum Membership Information Table 

Location: Blue Gallery 

Purchase a half price membership from FOH team