The Bowes Museum

The museum is housed in a magnificent French-style château and was founded in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes. The opulent building and its array of world-class exhibits means that the Bowes Museum offers much more than you would expect from a museum in a town the size of Barnard Castle.

What to see at the Bowes Museum

Visitors to the Bowes Museum can expect to see an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts, spanning various periods and styles. This includes an impressive selection of European paintings, including masterpieces by renowned artists such as Goya, El Greco, and Canaletto. The rich tapestry of art continues with an assortment of sculptures, ceramics, and textiles from around the world, each offering a unique glimpse into diverse cultures and artistic expressions.

The Silver Swan is one of the highlights of the museum’s collection. This 18th-century automaton, crafted with intricate precision, is a life-size replica of a female swan with a mechanism comprising 2,000 moving parts that allows for a performance that gives an illusion of the swan in a stream of moving water, complete with swimming fish, turning its head side-to-side and preening itself.

The Bowes Museum also lets visitors explore the world of fashion through its Fashion and Textile Gallery. Showcasing an extensive collection of historic and contemporary garments, textiles, and accessories, this exhibition provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of fashion and style over the centuries.

Temporary exhibitions at the Bowes Museum

In addition to its permanent collections, the museum hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood
This exhibition (until 2 March 2025) explores Vivienne Westwood’s work from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, focusing on her inspirations from art and design. Drawn from Peter Smithson’s private collection, it includes pieces influenced by classical, medieval and 18th-century art. Highlights include items from her Portrait collection (autumn/winter 1990/1991) and works referencing cherubs, tailoring and ceramics. Digital reconstructions by Northumbria University’s Fashion Department provide insights into Westwood’s creative process and distinctive approach to pattern cutting.

Trendsetters and Trailblazers
Marking 200 years since the birth of Joséphine Bowes, this exhibition (until 29 June 2025) explores her influence on art and collecting. It features works from The Bowes Museum’s collection and loans from the UK, Europe and the United States. The display includes paintings, sculptures, textiles and ceramics by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Sir Grayson Perry CBE, Joy Labinjo and Lucy Waters. A new commission by Phoebe Cummings reflects Joséphine’s forward-thinking approach to artistic trends.

Visiting the Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is around a 10-minute walk from the town centre of Barnard Castle and, while there is a bus stop right outside the main entrance (bus routes 70 and 79 stop here), most people choose to take the short and pleasant walk to the museum.

Admission costs £18 but you can also get unlimited entry with an annual membership, which is only £15.50. Entry is free of charge if you have a National Art Pass.

The museum is open 10am–5pm year round and is only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

The museum’s Cafe Bowes is a great place to stop for a late breakfast or lunch with a menu that includes traditional British dishes such as a full English breakfast, ploughman’s lunch or Welsh rarebit.

It is a much larger museum than you would expect to find in a relatively small town and you should allow 3–4 hours for your visit.