This is an incredible fine art museum. There is a huge variety of art to see. It's not just paintings, but also furniture, ceramics, metal objects, fashion and textiles. Allow plenty of time. The highlight is the Silver Swan, a 30-lb automaton made over 250 year ago and still working. There's a display at 2 pm every day. Fashion fans will enjoy the current Vivienne Westwood, exhibition, on until Sept Next year 2027, there will be a David Bowie tribute exhibition. The Bowes is a fascinating place to visit.

What a wonderful day we had exploring top to bottom of the galleries ( and back up again to see the Silver Swan in action ). From ceramics to paintings, from religious artifacts to fashion and from outright stunning to simple pleasures its all there in this museum. The cafe was great both for the coffee and scones on arrival to a superb lunch all looked after by the lovely staff.

Absolutely beautiful place! The building and grounds itself are worth a look, even before seeing the collections. Obviously, for me, the silver swan is the jewel in the crown. Absolutely stunning piece and worth waiting to see it in action, though sadly now, to protect it from breaking down, it only plays for a very short spell. Love the fact that the staff set chairs up, in advance of the showing to ensure everyone can see because people aren't right on top of it. They also bring a little trolley of Bowes Museum merchandise up to! I loved this idea! 😆 Great cafe, with fair pricing and table service. Good gift shop, too. Staff on reception were very good at explaining pricing options for tickets/passes. Whilst it does have activities and children's areas, I feel not all the collection is appealing to the younger audiences so younger ones may get a little bored. However, beautiful building, toilets, cafe, shop, grounds so worth a visit.

A very beautiful and somewhat unexpected place. I had heard of it previously but was unaware of the history of this unusual place. Looks like a very typical French chateau and grounds but is purely a gallery, never a residence. Well executed displays accessible for everyone, particularly good exhibition of the work of Vivienne Westwood on currently. Friendly staff. Only reason for 4 stars was the price. I know it's expensive to run places like this but nearly £50 for two adults is quite steep.

The most breathtaking start to our Valentine’s weekend! 🏰✨ We started our romantic getaway at The Bowes Museum, and it was the perfect choice because "the soul must have its pleasure" before anything else. The building itself is a masterpiece, but what’s inside is even more spectacular. A few highlights from our visit: The Fashion Gallery: This was the absolute highlight for me. It’s so stunning it literally took my breath away. I’ve decided I officially need a "fashion room" just like this, complete with my own personal tailor! 👗✂️ The Silver Swan: You cannot miss this 18th-century silver marvel. Seeing it move is a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. 🦢💎 The Art & Porcelain: The collection of paintings and fine porcelain is world-class. Every room feels like a step back into a more elegant era. Whether you are an art lover, a fashion enthusiast, or just looking for a romantic spot to wander with your partner, this museum is a gem. My husband was a great sport, though I think he was a bit worried I might actually try to hire that tailor on the way out! 😉 Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area. A truly world-class experience! 🥂❤️