Welcome to Bowood House & Gardens

Welcome to Bowood House & Gardens, home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne.  Bowood offers a fantastic day out for all the family.  Famous for one of the UK’s best Adventure Playgrounds, children are guaranteed the time of their lives and younger children will find two levels of undercover fun in the Soft Play Palace.  The whole family can relax in 100 acres of parkland, designed by ‘Capability’ Brown offering a lake, arboretum, pinetum and cascade.  Or visit the House itself which hosts a wealth of unique items from Queen Victoria’s wedding chair to Napoleon’s death mask and an extensive collection of paintings.  During the spring (late April to early June) visit the stunning Rhododendron Walks offering breathtaking vistas of colour and beauty covering over 60 acres.

Message from the Marquis of Lansdowne:

My father retired in 1972 to his home in Perthshire. He left with the memorable words: ‘You may find maintaining the house and estate quite a challenge.’ Indeed, it has been, but at the same time, hugely rewarding. My wife and I get enormous pleasure from sharing this wonderful oasis of peace and beauty with our visitors. We opened Bowood to the public in 1975, since then several million people have visited us. Without their continued support and interest we couldn’t manage to maintain the house and grounds in their present condition.

Our philosophy has been to try to provide something of interest for all ages. We have developed the opening of the house and grounds to preserve their historical distinction but at the same time making it fun, exciting and interesting to visit. Do come back to experience nature’s ever-changing seasons, which unfold at Bowood with such impact from spring through to autumn.