The Bowes Museum Reviews Summary

Value for Money

Pros:

• "We have taken an annual membership so, for slightly more than 2 adult single entries, we can go back as often as we like for 12 months."
• "The normal ticket entry for this museum gets you access for a year and the outside of the building itself is very impressive."
• "Your entry is valid for a year so can go back as many times as you want to absorb all the beautiful things there."
• "The ticket price is reasonable and lasts for a year."
• "Another bonus is the entry ticket is valid for 12 months."
• "Entrance fee gives access for a full twelve months so very good value."
• "Exhibitions change all the time and your entry fee gives you a year's entry."

Cons:

• "This place was super expensive, it's like £80 for 4 adults just for a day pass."
• "But far, far, too expensive entrance fee.... At £35 for us two oldies...."
• "Quite pricey but the ticket lasts a year."
• "Worth a visit but sadly the famous Silver Swan isn't operational... the £15.50 ticket price felt on the high side."
• "It is quite expensive for adults."
• "It's nice to look around at all that interesting things to see, but quite frankly I find it too expensive for what it is."
• "All except for the entry price, which is rather steep."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "Excellent menu and service at the Bowes Café and gift shop stocked good quality items."
• "On top of that, the cafe / restaurant was great."
• "The cafe is very upper class and food was delicious staff friendly and excellent with the covid process well done to all the staff."
• "Cafe food was tasty and a reasonable price."
• "Also if you stay for lunch the food is very good at a reasonable price 👌 👍"
• "To the cafe for excellent cheese scones."
• "Cafe very pleasant with friendly staff, fresh and tasty food."

Cons:

• "However we found the food to offer poor value for money."
• "Sadly not much variety on menu in cafe and the one thing I did fancy was sold out."
• "Had a look in the cafe did fancy a sandwich for £8."
• "The one who brought our food to us was lovely, but the blonde lady with glasses was abrupt."
• "Had lunch in the museum café, queued for 15mins for a table."
• "The cafe is not great, coffee was very average to poor and the food was average."
• "We found the cafe disappointing... the main member of staff rude and unhelpful."

Exhibits and Collections

Pros:

• "So much to see, so many collections and fabulous art work."
• "The silver swan is wonderful…surprisingly old 1770s."
• "There are multiple exhibitions: paintings, silverwear, ceramic, fashion, book illustrations, period furniture."
• "The galleries are spacious and filled with beautiful furniture, interior decoration, ceramics, costumes, musical instruments, curiosities and treasures."
• "There are so many interesting collections to see, and it is very informative."
• "Everything is top quality and well displayed."
• "The silver swan is a must see it was amazing."

Cons:

• "The gravel and raised beds are covered in weeds and looks extremely uninviting."
• "The grounds/gardens are disappointing."
• "Some sections to the museum such as the textile section I found quite boring."
• "The art collection inside is not very interesting. Lots of paintings by the 'circle of ...' or 'after so and so'."
• "I was disappointed that the 'world of weird' collection is no longer there."
• "The only thing I have to say is that, after you've been once, you really don't need to come again."
• "I'm sorry to say the Bowes Museum is looking tired these days."

Accessibility and Facilities

Pros:

• "The grounds are free to enter and it's a nice short walk round the outer wall."
• "The grounds are wooded in parts and your four-legged companion will enjoy a run around in safety."
• "Nice on site Cafe with a rare efficient waitress service."
• "No problem with onsite parking."
• "Ample free car parking. Has lifts, cafe WC on every floor."
• "Free parking."
• "Good access for disabled visitors like myself. Lift to each floor and accessible toilet."

Cons:

• "Though we pre booked the organisation was not great."
• "There is no heating in the whole building so it’s absolutely freezing with no temporary generators or fan heaters."
• "However the road to the car park at the rear has potholes that a small car could disappear in."
• "The only downside is the back car park needs attention."
• "Car parking seems to involve finding a space around the drive way, which was quite full when we arrived."
• "The lighting in some of the galleries is too dim making it difficult to see all the displays."
• "Noisy wooden floors definitely detracted from the experience."