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FAQs
FAQs
If you cannot find the answer to the question below, please do not hesitate to contact us.
OPENING HOURS
Is Bowood House & Gardens open at weekends and on bank holidays?
Bowood House & Gardens (including Adventure Playground and Soft Play Palace) is open every day – including weekends, bank holidays and Easter Sunday – during the open season which runs from March 20th to November 5th 2013.
What time does the House & Gardens close?
The House and Soft Play Palace close at 5.30 pm and the Adventure Playground closes at 5.45pm. The Coffee Shop and car park close at 6.00pm. After the autumn clock change, all closing times are brought forward one hour.
When will the House & Gardens be open in 2013?
Bowood House & Gardens will be open every day from 20th March to 5th November 2013.
YOUR VISIT
Are dogs allowed into Bowood grounds?
Only Working Assistance dogs are permitted at Bowood.
During the six week season that the Rhododendron Walks are open, dogs are permitted in that area only, provided they are kept on a lead.
How much does it cost to visit?
Please see Opening Times and Prices.
Can I use my ticket on another day?
Your ticket is valid for the day of purchase only. You may however purchase a combined ticket for the House & Gardens and Rhododendron Walks which allows access to the House & Gardens on a separate day from the Rhododendron Walks.
Should you be interested in returning for another visit, please consider purchasing a Season Ticket which allows access to the House & Gardens (including the Adventure playground and Soft Play Palace) and Rhododendron Walks as many times as you wish throughout the season.
Can I buy a separate ticket for the Adventure Playground?
Tickets for separate attractions are not available. Your ticket allows entrance into Bowood House, Grounds, Adventure Playground and Soft Play Palace. It does not allow access to Special Events.
How do I purchase a Season Ticket?
Season tickets are available online or via the Box Office on 01249 810961. Season tickets are valid from 20th March to 5th November 2013. A Bowood season ticket does not entitle the holder access to special events.
Is there a discount in inclement weather? Can I get a refund if it rains?
Discounts are not available during inclement weather and no refunds are available should it rain during your visit.
Are concessionary rates available?
We offer concessions to Senior Citizens (over 60 years), students, people with disabilities and groups of 20 or more. For further information please see Opening Times and Prices.
Does Bowood House & Gardens offer discounts to groups?
Discounts are available to groups of 20 or more when pre-booked. Please see Groups/Education.
Can I take photographs?
Amateur photography and filming is allowed with the Grounds of Bowood. Still photography (NO filming) is allowed within the House. For professional shoot requests please contact events@bowood.org or 01249 822228.
Is Bowood House & Gardens fully accessible?
Bowood welcomes people with disabilities. However, please note that wheelchair access to remote areas of the park can be limited as there are some paths with fairly steep gradients.
The ground floor of Bowood House is fully accessible to wheelchair users. The upper floors and exhibition rooms are available to view in the New Hall via a pre-recorded tour given by our curator, Dr. Kate Fielden. Tours written in Braille are also available on request.
Wheelchair accessible toilets are available inside the Coffee Shop and inside Bowood House.
Visitors to the House may be allowed to drive to a set off point adjacent to Bowood House upon request. Please note that for safety and security reasons we would request to hold your car keys until departure.
Designated parking is available and wheelchairs can be borrowed, subject to availability. Please book wheelchairs in advance by calling The Estate Office on 01249 812102.
Working assistance dogs are welcome in the House and Grounds. We also offer half price admissions for visitors with disabilities and their carers/assistants.
Please see our Access Statement for more information.
Are bicycles, tricyles and scooters allowed in to the Grounds?
No wheeled forms of travel are allowed within the Grounds. Parking is available opposite the Admissions point and bicycles may be left in our car park area but entirely at the owner’s risk. If you choose to cycle to visit us, please be aware that the roadways are very narrow.
Pushchairs are allowed.
Is Bowood a National Trust property?
Bowood House & Gardens is not part of the National Trust, so standard admission prices apply.
Are guided tours available?
Guided tours of the House are available by pre-booking for groups of 10 or more. Please see Groups/Education. The Bowood House guidebook contains comprehensive information about the House, its history and the artefacts within it. This is available to purchase for £3.50. A Key to the Paintings is also available from the staff within the House, for a small refundable deposit.
Guided tours of the Private Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds are available for individuals on specified days and for groups (pre-booking essential). Please see Private Walled Garden Tours for more information.
Are baby changing facilities available?
Baby changing facilities are available within the Coffee Shop accessible toilets, The House accessible toilets and within both the ladies and gents Applestore toilets.
GETTING HERE
How do I get to Bowood using public transport?
Bus - Routes 33 and X33 (Chippenham to Devizes) go through Derry Hill village. Route 55 stops on the A4 close to the turning into Derry Hill village. It is approximately 1½ miles from the entrance gate to Admissions for the House and Gardens.
Train - The nearest main line station is at Chippenham. Taxis are available or take the 55 bus to Studley crossroads.
Which entrance do I use?
The entrance to the Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is through the Golden Gates opposite the Lansdowne Arms public house in Derry Hill. There is no access from here to the House & Gardens.
The entrance to the House and Gardens is at the other end of Derry Hill village, just off the A4. You will enter via a White Gate. If using Satellite Navigation, please use postcode SN11 9NF.
All are signposted from the A4 and A342.
The Rhododendron Walks (open from late April to early June) are located off the A342 between Derry Hill and Sandy Lane. For Satellite Navigation please use the postcode SN11 9PG.
Is there a car and coach park at Bowood?
Free parking is available opposite the Coffee Shop and main Admission point.
Can coaches drop passengers at Bowood House?
It is possible for coaches to drop off and collect passengers from the House by prior arrangement. Please call 01249 810961 for all group booking enquiries.
EMPLOYMENT
Do you have any vacancies?
All vacancies are posted on the website under Employment. Recruitment for seasonal vacancies usually begins in January so please keep an eye on the website for more details.
ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND & SOFT PLAY PALACE
Is there an age restriction in the Adventure Playground?
The Adventure Playground is only suitable for children aged 12 and under. Older children are not allowed on the equipment. For younger children, the Partridge Play Pen and Soft Play Palace are available.
Is the Adventure Playground supervised?
Parents/ Guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children whilst in the Adventure Playground and in all other areas of the Bowood Estate. During school holidays and weekends, staff will be on duty in the Playground to offer assistance when required, however responsibility for supervision remains the responsibility of the parents/guardian.
Is there an age restriction in the Soft Play Palace?
There is no age restriction, however a strict height limit of 132cm is enforced.
Is all equipment open when it rains?
The House, Gardens and Soft Play Palace are unaffected by inclement weather. The Flying Fox (zip wire) and large outdoor slides in the Adventure Playground are closed during heavy rain for Health & Safety reasons.
OTHER
Is swimming in the lake allowed?
Swimming or paddling in the lake, cascade or fountains is strictly forbidden.
Is fishing on the lake allowed?
Fishing on the lake is by annual permit only; day tickets are not available. Please visit the Estate area of the website.
Can I bring a picnic?
Picnics are allowed anywhere within the grounds (except the Terraces by the House) and picnic benches are provided.
Are Barbeques allowed?
We regret that BBQs are not permitted anywhere within the Grounds including the car park.
Can I leave my car overnight?
There are no overnight parking or camping facilities on the Estate. Accommodation is available at the Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Can I camp in the grounds or the car park?
There are no overnight parking or camping facilities on the Estate. Accommodation is available at the Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
REFRESHMENTS
Where can I get refreshments?
Temple Gate Coffee Shop is open daily 10.30am to 6.00pm, last orders for food are at 5.00pm. There is a full range of freshly prepared hot and cold food, sweets and ice cream.
The Bowood House Restaurant is open on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, 2.30pm – 4.30pm serving cream teas.
The Bowood House Restaurant is also open on Sundays for a two course Carvery lunch. The cost is £16.95 for adults and £8.50 for children age 12 and under. This includes FREE entrance to the House and Gardens but must be pre-booked by calling the Estate Office before 5pm on the Friday preceding the Sunday you wish to dine.
During weekends and school holidays, a kiosk is open in the Adventure Playground selling beverages, ice cream and sweets.
Drinks, snacks and ice cream are also available from the Soft Play Palace on a daily basis.
Picnic tables are provided in the Adventure Playground and the car park area. We regret that BBQs are not permitted.
RHODODENDRON WALKS
When is the best time to visit the Rhododendron Walks?
The Rhododendron Walks are open for approximately six weeks from late April to early June, depending on the weather conditions. The condition of the blooms throughout the flowering season is updated in the Seasonal Diary and also on the recorded information message on the main telephone number. Due to the wide variety of species flowering continues throughout the open period. There is no ‘best time’ to visit – there is always something lovely to see.
Where are the Rhododendron Walks located?
The Rhododendron Walks are located on a separate 60 acre woodland garden off the A342 between Sandy Lane and Derry Hill. Please use postcode SN11 9PG for Rhododendron Walks. Parking is available.