The Bowes Museum
@thebowesmuseum.bsky.social
A stunning French-style museum in Barnard Castle with world-class art, fashion, design and 22 acres of parkland.
🕊 Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from the Blackborne Collection
🗓 14 Nov 2026 – 11 Apr 2027
Celebrating the artistry of lace-making and marking 20 years since Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection.
🗓 14 Nov 2026 – 11 Apr 2027
Celebrating the artistry of lace-making and marking 20 years since Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection.
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🕊 Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from the Blackborne Collection
🗓 14 Nov 2026 – 11 Apr 2027
Celebrating the artistry of lace-making and marking 20 years since Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection.
🗓 14 Nov 2026 – 11 Apr 2027
Celebrating the artistry of lace-making and marking 20 years since Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection.
🎨 Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
🗓 26 Sept 2026 – 14 Mar 2027
An international partnership with MuMa, Le Havre, bringing Impressionist masterpieces to the UK for the first time.
🗓 26 Sept 2026 – 14 Mar 2027
An international partnership with MuMa, Le Havre, bringing Impressionist masterpieces to the UK for the first time.
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
🎨 Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
🗓 26 Sept 2026 – 14 Mar 2027
An international partnership with MuMa, Le Havre, bringing Impressionist masterpieces to the UK for the first time.
🗓 26 Sept 2026 – 14 Mar 2027
An international partnership with MuMa, Le Havre, bringing Impressionist masterpieces to the UK for the first time.
👗 Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary
🗓 28 Mar – 6 Sept 2026
A multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of Britain’s most provocative designers, charting her journey from punk to couture.
🗓 28 Mar – 6 Sept 2026
A multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of Britain’s most provocative designers, charting her journey from punk to couture.
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 AM
👗 Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary
🗓 28 Mar – 6 Sept 2026
A multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of Britain’s most provocative designers, charting her journey from punk to couture.
🗓 28 Mar – 6 Sept 2026
A multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of Britain’s most provocative designers, charting her journey from punk to couture.
Moonlight & bonfires 🌙🔥
Aert van der Neer (18th century) captures the magic of night and the cold glow of the moon against the warmth of a bonfire.
A perfect scene to share this Bonfire Night ✨
Will you be enjoying fireworks tonight?
Aert van der Neer (18th century) captures the magic of night and the cold glow of the moon against the warmth of a bonfire.
A perfect scene to share this Bonfire Night ✨
Will you be enjoying fireworks tonight?
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Moonlight & bonfires 🌙🔥
Aert van der Neer (18th century) captures the magic of night and the cold glow of the moon against the warmth of a bonfire.
A perfect scene to share this Bonfire Night ✨
Will you be enjoying fireworks tonight?
Aert van der Neer (18th century) captures the magic of night and the cold glow of the moon against the warmth of a bonfire.
A perfect scene to share this Bonfire Night ✨
Will you be enjoying fireworks tonight?
🦢 Today The Silver Swan had her health check, thanks to The Cumbria Clock Company. Regular care keeps her magic alive for future generations. ✨ #SilverSwan #TheBowesMuseum
September 23, 2025 at 11:47 AM
🦢 Today The Silver Swan had her health check, thanks to The Cumbria Clock Company. Regular care keeps her magic alive for future generations. ✨ #SilverSwan #TheBowesMuseum
Join Turner Prize–nominated artist Nathan Coley at The Bowes Museum for an evening in conversation about his powerful installations & creative practice. 📅 Sat 11 Oct | 🎟️ £18 | 🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/in-...
September 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Join Turner Prize–nominated artist Nathan Coley at The Bowes Museum for an evening in conversation about his powerful installations & creative practice. 📅 Sat 11 Oct | 🎟️ £18 | 🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/in-...
🎄The Bowes Museum Winter Market returns 12–14 Dec 2025!
Explore 100+ stalls with unique gifts, food & drink, enjoy festive workshops, carollers & free entry to exhibitions. Tickets £7 before 8 Dec / £8 after. Under-18s go free.
🎟️ Book: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/win...
Explore 100+ stalls with unique gifts, food & drink, enjoy festive workshops, carollers & free entry to exhibitions. Tickets £7 before 8 Dec / £8 after. Under-18s go free.
🎟️ Book: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/win...
September 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM
🎄The Bowes Museum Winter Market returns 12–14 Dec 2025!
Explore 100+ stalls with unique gifts, food & drink, enjoy festive workshops, carollers & free entry to exhibitions. Tickets £7 before 8 Dec / £8 after. Under-18s go free.
🎟️ Book: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/win...
Explore 100+ stalls with unique gifts, food & drink, enjoy festive workshops, carollers & free entry to exhibitions. Tickets £7 before 8 Dec / £8 after. Under-18s go free.
🎟️ Book: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/win...
Now you can enjoy playful, larger-than-life versions of these delicate ceramics in the gallery.
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/pippa-hale-pet-project
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/pippa-hale-pet-project
August 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Now you can enjoy playful, larger-than-life versions of these delicate ceramics in the gallery.
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/pippa-hale-pet-project
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/pippa-hale-pet-project
The Cat (c.1825) is based on a Staffordshire pottery piece with bright enamel, yellow spots and plenty of charm.
The Dog (c.1768) is a porcelain King Charles Spaniel, beloved by King Charles II. Legend says he gave them access to all public buildings (even Parliament!) though no law confirms it.
The Dog (c.1768) is a porcelain King Charles Spaniel, beloved by King Charles II. Legend says he gave them access to all public buildings (even Parliament!) though no law confirms it.
August 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The Cat (c.1825) is based on a Staffordshire pottery piece with bright enamel, yellow spots and plenty of charm.
The Dog (c.1768) is a porcelain King Charles Spaniel, beloved by King Charles II. Legend says he gave them access to all public buildings (even Parliament!) though no law confirms it.
The Dog (c.1768) is a porcelain King Charles Spaniel, beloved by King Charles II. Legend says he gave them access to all public buildings (even Parliament!) though no law confirms it.
🐱🐶 Ever wondered what inspired the giant squishee Cat and Dog in Pippa Hale: Pet Project?
August 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🐱🐶 Ever wondered what inspired the giant squishee Cat and Dog in Pippa Hale: Pet Project?
Pippa Hale: Pet Project opens TOMORROW.
Join us for a summer of play and creativity with squishee sculptures based on our ceramic collection.
Fun for all the family → thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/...
Join us for a summer of play and creativity with squishee sculptures based on our ceramic collection.
Fun for all the family → thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/...
July 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Pippa Hale: Pet Project opens TOMORROW.
Join us for a summer of play and creativity with squishee sculptures based on our ceramic collection.
Fun for all the family → thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/...
Join us for a summer of play and creativity with squishee sculptures based on our ceramic collection.
Fun for all the family → thebowesmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/...
After an 11-month tour of Japan, Regatta on the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy by Canaletto (c.1730–1739) is back at The Bowes Museum.
This 18th-century masterpiece has returned from top museums in Shizuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Yamaguchi and is now on display daily, 10am–5pm.
This 18th-century masterpiece has returned from top museums in Shizuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Yamaguchi and is now on display daily, 10am–5pm.
July 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After an 11-month tour of Japan, Regatta on the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy by Canaletto (c.1730–1739) is back at The Bowes Museum.
This 18th-century masterpiece has returned from top museums in Shizuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Yamaguchi and is now on display daily, 10am–5pm.
This 18th-century masterpiece has returned from top museums in Shizuoka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Yamaguchi and is now on display daily, 10am–5pm.
🗓️ Save the date.
Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
Opens 27 September at The Bowes Museum.
Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
Opens 27 September at The Bowes Museum.
July 4, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🗓️ Save the date.
Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
Opens 27 September at The Bowes Museum.
Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
Opens 27 September at The Bowes Museum.
Opening 26 July: Pippa Hale: Pet Project 🐾
This fun, interactive exhibition invites you to play with art.
From giant ceramic-inspired beanbags to community displays, this is one for all ages — turning the idea of fragile art on its head.
This fun, interactive exhibition invites you to play with art.
From giant ceramic-inspired beanbags to community displays, this is one for all ages — turning the idea of fragile art on its head.
June 30, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Opening 26 July: Pippa Hale: Pet Project 🐾
This fun, interactive exhibition invites you to play with art.
From giant ceramic-inspired beanbags to community displays, this is one for all ages — turning the idea of fragile art on its head.
This fun, interactive exhibition invites you to play with art.
From giant ceramic-inspired beanbags to community displays, this is one for all ages — turning the idea of fragile art on its head.
Now on view: Tate Modern on Fire (2017) by Nathan Coley.
A powerful abstract model of the London museum that explores the fragile relationship between art, institutions and society.
See it in the Blue Picture Gallery until 1 March 2026.
A powerful abstract model of the London museum that explores the fragile relationship between art, institutions and society.
See it in the Blue Picture Gallery until 1 March 2026.
June 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Now on view: Tate Modern on Fire (2017) by Nathan Coley.
A powerful abstract model of the London museum that explores the fragile relationship between art, institutions and society.
See it in the Blue Picture Gallery until 1 March 2026.
A powerful abstract model of the London museum that explores the fragile relationship between art, institutions and society.
See it in the Blue Picture Gallery until 1 March 2026.
Our Young Curators created a mural for the S&DR200 bicentenary.🚂🎨 It’s now on display at Locomotion. A brilliant creative celebration of local history.
June 23, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Our Young Curators created a mural for the S&DR200 bicentenary.🚂🎨 It’s now on display at Locomotion. A brilliant creative celebration of local history.
Now in the Blue Picture Gallery: Nude Pop-Up, a new intervention by our LGBTQIA+ working group Be You at The Bowes.
This installation asks visitors to reflect on the collection and their place in it. Hear more from Co-Production Curator Eleanor Thirlway.
This installation asks visitors to reflect on the collection and their place in it. Hear more from Co-Production Curator Eleanor Thirlway.
June 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Now in the Blue Picture Gallery: Nude Pop-Up, a new intervention by our LGBTQIA+ working group Be You at The Bowes.
This installation asks visitors to reflect on the collection and their place in it. Hear more from Co-Production Curator Eleanor Thirlway.
This installation asks visitors to reflect on the collection and their place in it. Hear more from Co-Production Curator Eleanor Thirlway.
Just installed: You Create What You Will (2014) by Nathan Coley, now on display outside The Bowes Museum. A striking 5.5-metre structure reflecting on the nature of art. See it until February 2026.
June 16, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Just installed: You Create What You Will (2014) by Nathan Coley, now on display outside The Bowes Museum. A striking 5.5-metre structure reflecting on the nature of art. See it until February 2026.
Final chance to apply for a fully funded PhD with The Bowes Museum + Northumbria University, studying the Blackborne Lace Collection.
Open to UK & international applicants, full or part-time. Starts Oct 2025.
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-opp...
Open to UK & international applicants, full or part-time. Starts Oct 2025.
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-opp...
June 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Final chance to apply for a fully funded PhD with The Bowes Museum + Northumbria University, studying the Blackborne Lace Collection.
Open to UK & international applicants, full or part-time. Starts Oct 2025.
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-opp...
Open to UK & international applicants, full or part-time. Starts Oct 2025.
🔗 thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-opp...
The Silver Swan performs twice a day this week—at 11:45am and 2:00pm.
Don’t miss this incredible 18th-century automaton in motion, only at The Bowes Museum.
Don’t miss this incredible 18th-century automaton in motion, only at The Bowes Museum.
May 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The Silver Swan performs twice a day this week—at 11:45am and 2:00pm.
Don’t miss this incredible 18th-century automaton in motion, only at The Bowes Museum.
Don’t miss this incredible 18th-century automaton in motion, only at The Bowes Museum.
Two weeks until Volunteer Open Day at The Bowes Museum – join us on 3 June.
No experience needed—just a positive attitude.
👉 Read Event Volunteer Beverley’s story: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/meet-event-v...
📧 Book now by emailing: hello@thebowesmuseum.org.uk
No experience needed—just a positive attitude.
👉 Read Event Volunteer Beverley’s story: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/meet-event-v...
📧 Book now by emailing: hello@thebowesmuseum.org.uk
May 20, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Two weeks until Volunteer Open Day at The Bowes Museum – join us on 3 June.
No experience needed—just a positive attitude.
👉 Read Event Volunteer Beverley’s story: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/meet-event-v...
📧 Book now by emailing: hello@thebowesmuseum.org.uk
No experience needed—just a positive attitude.
👉 Read Event Volunteer Beverley’s story: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/meet-event-v...
📧 Book now by emailing: hello@thebowesmuseum.org.uk
Coming soon…Pippa Hale: Pet Project
Opening 26 July, this joyful and immersive exhibition sees artist Pippa Hale reimagine the museum’s renowned ceramic collection. Expect playful interpretation, bold colours, and interactive elements designed to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.
Opening 26 July, this joyful and immersive exhibition sees artist Pippa Hale reimagine the museum’s renowned ceramic collection. Expect playful interpretation, bold colours, and interactive elements designed to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.
May 19, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Coming soon…Pippa Hale: Pet Project
Opening 26 July, this joyful and immersive exhibition sees artist Pippa Hale reimagine the museum’s renowned ceramic collection. Expect playful interpretation, bold colours, and interactive elements designed to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.
Opening 26 July, this joyful and immersive exhibition sees artist Pippa Hale reimagine the museum’s renowned ceramic collection. Expect playful interpretation, bold colours, and interactive elements designed to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.
Join us on 15 May for Paintings Collected by Madame Bowes, a talk by John Findlay exploring how Joséphine Bowes built a remarkable art collection.
Using purchase records and archival materials, John will share stories behind key acquisitions and reveal how the founders shaped the collection.
Using purchase records and archival materials, John will share stories behind key acquisitions and reveal how the founders shaped the collection.
May 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Join us on 15 May for Paintings Collected by Madame Bowes, a talk by John Findlay exploring how Joséphine Bowes built a remarkable art collection.
Using purchase records and archival materials, John will share stories behind key acquisitions and reveal how the founders shaped the collection.
Using purchase records and archival materials, John will share stories behind key acquisitions and reveal how the founders shaped the collection.
Only 5 days left to submit your ceramic pets for Pippa Hale: Pet Project! We’re showing quirky, handmade, or heirloom ceramics alongside our collection.
Email a photo, your name, address + 100 words answering:
What is it?
Why is it important to you?
submit@thebowesmuseum.org.uk (Deadline: 13 May)
Email a photo, your name, address + 100 words answering:
What is it?
Why is it important to you?
submit@thebowesmuseum.org.uk (Deadline: 13 May)
May 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Only 5 days left to submit your ceramic pets for Pippa Hale: Pet Project! We’re showing quirky, handmade, or heirloom ceramics alongside our collection.
Email a photo, your name, address + 100 words answering:
What is it?
Why is it important to you?
submit@thebowesmuseum.org.uk (Deadline: 13 May)
Email a photo, your name, address + 100 words answering:
What is it?
Why is it important to you?
submit@thebowesmuseum.org.uk (Deadline: 13 May)
🎨Try life drawing like never before at The Bowes Museum.
Artist Daisy Collingridge leads a surreal workshop with a model in one of her sculptural textile suits.
Ages 16+, all skill levels welcome.
Booking essential: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/sur...
Artist Daisy Collingridge leads a surreal workshop with a model in one of her sculptural textile suits.
Ages 16+, all skill levels welcome.
Booking essential: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/sur...
April 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🎨Try life drawing like never before at The Bowes Museum.
Artist Daisy Collingridge leads a surreal workshop with a model in one of her sculptural textile suits.
Ages 16+, all skill levels welcome.
Booking essential: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/sur...
Artist Daisy Collingridge leads a surreal workshop with a model in one of her sculptural textile suits.
Ages 16+, all skill levels welcome.
Booking essential: thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/sur...