Our Events

Santa’s Enchanted Wonderland Grotto

21 December 2017, 16:30 - 17:00

Wander through an enchanted corridor to arrive at Santa’s workshop, where you will be entertained by one of his elves: write your letter, look for his naughty friend and browse in the toyshop windows before taking a magical journey to meet Santa all cosy in his sitting room, where he will complete the magic with an early Christmas present.

Prices: Child Under 1 - £4.00 (only 2 Child Under 1 tickets left!); Adult - Free

This event is not currently open for booking.

Skin Deep - Painting the Face in pastel, acrylics or oils

04 May 2018, 10:00 - 16:30

The human face is eternally interesting. Join artist Linda Birch to create a human visage, taking inspiration from the current exhibition Skin Deep by Jonathan Yeo, who explores conceptual themes in his Surgery Series, depicting in the classical medium of oil paint, the intricacies and complex issues surrounding the current cult for cosmetic surgery and the quest for physical ‘perfection’.

Prices: Adult - £35.00 (only 1 Adult tickets left!); Friend - £33.00 (only 1 Friend tickets left!)

This event is not currently open for booking.

A Nursery Rhyme in Line and Wash

14 September 2018, 10:00 - 16:30

This workshop is suitable for intermediate artists (artists who have been drawing and painting for one year or more). Please bring with you: Watercolours, a drawing pen 0.07, a technical drawing pen or a dip pen and bottle of Indian ink, an A3 heavyweight cartridge pad or Bristol Board, sketchbook and pencils.

Prices: Adult - £35.00; Friend - £33.00

This event is not currently open for booking.

Painting Everyday Life in Oils or Acrylic

09 November 2018, 10:00 - 16:30

Please bring with you: a photographic reference of your choice and your oils or acrylics, a sketchbook and 2B pencil plus two painting surfaces to work on.

Prices: Adult - £35.00; Friend - £33.00

Sorry - This event is fully booked!

Let it Snow – Two Small Christmas Pictures

07 December 2018, 10:00 - 16:30

The Bowes Museum has some lovely winter paintings, including the work of Joséphine Bowes. Based on a Hans Christian Andersen story about a little fir tree, join artist Linda Birch to create a small but richly decorative picture using watercolours or acrylics. The painting will be of two small images on a folded piece of mount card with a richly decorated edge.

Prices: Adult - £35.00; Friend - £33.00; Member - £33.00 (only 1 Member tickets left!)

This event is not currently open for booking.

Food from the Front

25 February 2019, 11:00 - 15:30

Enjoy more WWI-related embroidery items from the Embroiderers Guild in this temporary display of exquisite items from their exhibition Calm During the Storm.

Prices: Adult - Free; Child - Free

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Understanding Scottish Country Houses and Estates Today

28 February 2019, 13:45 - 17:00

Speaker Dr Annie Tindley, is a senior Lecturer in Modern British History, at Newcastle University.

Her research interests revolve around the interrogation of the aristocratic and landed classes, landed estates and their management from the mid-eighteenth to mid-twentieth centuries, in the Scottish, Irish, British and imperial contexts. Dr. Tindley is interested in the ways in which landed elites defined and translated their power. Organised by the Friends of The Bowes Museum.

Prices: Adult - £12.00; Friend - £10.00

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Love Letters from the Front

01 March 2019, 14:30 - 16:00

Enjoy more WWI-related embroidery items from the Embroiderers Guild in this temporary display of exquisite items from their exhibition Calm During the Storm.

Prices: Adult - Free; Child - Free

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Embroidered Poppy Workshop

01 March 2019, 10:30 - 13:00

Join textile artist Pat Ashton-Smith for a free workshop to create a 3D poppy using raised embroidery techniques. During the workshop you will learn three ways to create wired flower petals and make your own poppy, which can be made into a brooch or mount in a card or frame. Please bring along a small pair of scissors, a materials pack will be provided.

Prices: Adult - Free

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Works from Calm During the Storm a WW1 Pop-Up exhibition

01 March 2019, 12:00 - 16:00

Enjoy more WWI-related embroidery items from the Embroiderers Guild in this temporary display of exquisite items from their exhibition Calm During the Storm.

Prices: Adult - Free

Click here to make a booking

From War to Peace? Aftermaths of the Great War

02 March 2019, 13:30 - 15:45

Join us for a free event featuring talks by experts about the Paris Peace Conference 1919, campaigns to transform international life and the birth of the German Republic in 1918/19.

Prices: Adult - Free

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Wedding Open Day

03 March 2019, 11:00 - 14:00

What could be better than getting married to the one you love than tying the knot at an iconic building that was created out of love. Join us this March to find out more about our beautiful rooms, elegant grounds, World-class collection,talk to local suppliers who can help you create your perfect day.

Prices: Adult - Free

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Barnard Castle School Spring Concert

08 March 2019, 19:00 - 21:30

Join talented musicians from Barnard Castle School and the community for performances of Bruch Violin Concerto, Haydn's Oboe Concerto, Albinoni's Oboe Concerto, and guest soloist - Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in D minor. Presented by The Friends of The Bowes Museum

Prices: Adult - £12.00; Friend - £10.00

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Game-a-thon

09 March 2019, 14:15 - 16:00

Join us for an art-market themed afternoon to celebrate SOLD! The Great British Antiques Story, Unleash your inner antique dealer playing vintage games such as ‘Swindle’, ‘Masterpiece’, Antiques Roadshow’ and ‘Modigliani’. Children welcome, accompanied by an adult.

Prices: Adult - Free; Child - Free

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Mrs. Bowes’ Magnificent Salons: The Social Life Of Joséphine Bowes

13 March 2019, 10:30 - 12:00

Join Judith Phillips, the Museum’s Honorary Archivist, to learn how the archives can shed light on these questions about Joséphine’s social life. Where does Joséphine fit in How and where did she entertain? Organised by the Friends of The Bowes Museum.

Prices: Adult - £12.00; Member - £10.00

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Tea with David Harper

16 March 2019, 14:15 - 16:00

Join TV’s David Harper for a fun afternoon of antiques antics. Enjoy stories of rare finds, fakes & fortunes and life behind the camera. Why not bring along your favourite item and David will select his favourites to star in his talk. Ask him your questions over a cup of tea, and then enjoy a visit to Sold!

Prices: Adult - £15.00; Friend - £14.00; Child - £7.50

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Curator in converstation with Georgina Gough

23 March 2019, 14:15 - 16:00

Join Mark Westgarth and Georgina Gough for a lively conversation about Georgina’s life in the antiques trade ad her memories working for her father, the leading antique dealer Ronald A.Lee.

Prices: Adult - £8.00

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A Short Introduction to Art History

27 March 2019, 14:15 - 06 June 2019, 16:15

Join Assistant Curator of Fine Art Bernadette Petti for this introductory course, designed for everyone with an interest in art.

Prices: Adult - £50.00; Staff - Free (only 3 Staff tickets left!)

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Coming into the Light

27 March 2019, 02:15

Join Assistant Curator of Fine Art Bernadette Petti for this introductory course, designed for everyone with an interest in art.

Prices: Adult - £10.00

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“Broderers“ Tour at Durham Cathedral

02 April 2019, 10:30

A rare, behind the scenes, guided tour of Raby Castle showing rooms not usually on view to the public. Afterwards you will be free to wander around the castle with the public and visit the gardens and two-hundred-acre deer park.

Prices: Adult - £20.00; Friend - £18.00

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Caroline Peacock Talk about High Sheriff

10 April 2019, 10:30

Caroline Peacock is joining us to talk about her year in office as High Sheriff, the oldest secular office in Durham and the oldest Royal appointment in the country. Join the audience to hear first-hand how Caroline survived the year.

Prices: Adult - £12.00; Friend - £10.00

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The Renaissance Men

10 April 2019, 14:15 - 16:15

Join Assistant Curator of Fine Art Bernadette Petti for this introductory course, designed for everyone with an interest in art.

Prices: Adult - £10.00

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Objects Under The Spotlight

11 April 2019, 14:15 - 15:45

Join curators and conservators for a closer look at items from museum stores. Learn about the history of the object, their conservation needs and how to handle them.

Prices: Adult - £10.00; Friend - £8.00

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The Antique Dealer, from Dickens to Lovejoy

16 April 2019, 14:15 - 16:00

Join curator mark Westgarth for a light hearted talk exploring how antique dealers have been brought to life in books and on screen. Enjoy clips of your favourite TV characters and enjoy meeting some new ones.

Prices: Adult - Free

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A Golden Age

24 April 2019, 14:15 - 16:15

Join Assistant Curator of Fine Art Bernadette Petti for this introductory course, designed for everyone with an interest in art.

Prices: Adult - £10.00

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Curator In Conservation with Jerome Phillips

27 April 2019, 14:15 - 16:00

Join curator mark Westgarth for a light hearted talk exploring how antique dealers have been brought to life in books and on screen. Enjoy clips of your favourite TV characters and enjoy meeting some new ones.

Prices: Adult - £8.00

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North East Early Music Forum Performing Day

28 April 2019, 11:00 - 16:00

Prices: Adult - Free

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Hippodrome Theatre Tour & Matinee Performance of “The Mousetrap”

02 May 2019, 11:00

£30, Lunch extra with 15% discount in Theatre Cafe.
Meeting at the Theatre in time for Tour at 11.30am. Then enjoy the performance of Agatha Christies’ ‘Mousetrap’ at 2pm.
The reserve list will close on the Friday, April 12.

Prices: Adult - £30.00; Friend - £30.00

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Elizabeth Conran invites….

05 May 2019, 14:30

"SOLD - to The Bowes Museum!"
Stories behind some purchases by The Bowes Museum
Informal reminiscences by Elizabeth Conran Former Director of the Bowes Museum followed by a glass of “Fizz” & refreshments.

Prices: Adult - £10.00; Friend - £8.00 (only 8 Friend tickets left!)

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Freedom and Amusement

09 May 2019, 14:15 - 16:15

Join Assistant Curator of Fine Art Bernadette Petti for this introductory course, designed for everyone with an interest in art.

Prices: Adult - £10.00

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Visit Medieval Raby Castle

15 May 2019, 09:30

A rare, behind the scenes, guided tour of Raby Castle showing rooms not usually on view to the public. Afterwards you will be free to wander around the castle with the public and visit the gardens and two-hundred-acre deer park.

Prices: Adult - £27.50; Friend - £25.00

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From the Age of Enlightenment to the Spirit of Romanticism

23 May 2019, 14:15 - 16:15

In this session we’ll examine the competing cultures of Neoclassicism , Enlightenment and Romanticism and how these 18th century movements changed the history

Prices: Adult - £10.00

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“Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it” – Modern and Post Modern Art

06 June 2019, 14:15 - 16:15

In this final session we’ll focus on contemporary art and the dynamic combination of materials, methods, subjects and theories artists u

Prices: Adult - £10.00

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Olga Zado Concert

13 June 2019

We are proud to welcome this exciting young Ukrainian pianist to perform a captivating piano recital in the Museum’s Picture Galleries. Often referred to as “a magician on the piano,” she touches audiences around the world with her poetic musicianship.

Prices: Adult - £15.00; Friend - £12.00

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Durham Singers – Summer Concert

22 June 2019, 19:00

Friends £15 Guests £18
Summer nibbles and drinks
This is first concert for the highly acclaimed Durham Singers at The Bowes and will be performed in the Picture Galleries.

Prices: Adult - £18.00; Friend - £15.00

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Janusz plays Chopin

06 July 2019, 19:30 - 21:30

Join celebrated international pianist and conductor Janusz Piotrowicz for an evening of music by Chopin in the glittering setting of The Bowes Museum picture galleries.

Prices: Premium - £25.00; Adult - £17.50

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