The Bowes Museum
A major northern attaction, four miles from Bowes.
The Bowes Museum was actually designed last century for John Bowes and Josephine
Bowes as a state-of-the-art museum. It was built in the English countryside
between 1869 and 1875 as a generous jpgt to the British people from John
Bowes and his french wife Josephine. Over a century later, although the direction
of the couples' collection is still evident, the museum has developed to
include English decorative arts, costumes, toys, local history and archaeology.
The combination of Art, history and the romantic aspect of the museum's story
makes it an unbeatable experience which you must visit to appreciate.
Very close to Barnard Castle.
Telephone: 01833-690606
Open Mon-Sat 10:00-17:30, Sunday 14:00-17:00 (14:00-16:00 from
November-February). There is an admission charge, and refreshments are available
in the cafeteria which is open fron April until September. There is also
a souvenir shop, education room and reference library. Outside there is a
large park with Public Bowls and Tennis. From June-October there are Guided
Tours. There are good facilities for disabled visitors throughout.
PHOTOGRAPHS SOON!
There are paintings by El Greco, Goya, Canaletto, Courbet, Boucher and Tiepolo
and remarkable 18th century French decorativeart collectionsm. A famous feature
of the museum is a life-size mechanical swan which periodically catches a
mechanical fish.
Since 1996 there have been contemporary exhibits concerned with archaeology
and local history which provide a fascinating insight into the history of
Durham and it's people. There are sections which refer to Prehistoric, Roman,
Medieval and more recent local history. The museum contains a wealth of original
objects displayed in settingswhich show them in context.
The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle
Co. Durham
DL12 8NP
Tel: 01833-690606
Fax 01833-637163
Josephine and John Bowes were from very different backgrounds and their
relationship was a very romantic one, a combination of opposites, but one
which lead to a marriage which was successful from 1852 until Josephines
early death in 1874. He was an educated man who like horse-racing, he was
prominent in local affairs, an MP, and from a distinguished Teesdale family,
a successful businessman. She was an actress and painter from Paris, she
epitomised french style and lifestyle with a strong interest in public arts.
Together they sought to produce a museum which would be their legacy for
local people.
The result of this effort and their combined talents was The Josephine and
John Bowes Museum, commonly known as Bowes Museum, this also being the source
of the confusion over location. The museum is set in a large park. That,
and the chateau style building, and the collection, were all created from
nothing over fifteen years, always with the aim of public benefit. The Bowes
assembled the collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and textiles
from all over Europe. Sadly they both died, Josephone first, before their
vision was completed.