FAQs

If you have a question about your visit to Bowood, you may find it here.

If you have any specific questions, please contact us here.

Bowood House & Gardens is now closed and will re open for the 50th season on Friday 29th March 2024.

Please note our opening times will change to open 10:30, last admissions 16:30, closing at 17:30.

The Woodland Gardens a separate attraction to the House & Gardens, are currently closed and will re open for 6 weeks from mid April to early June 2024.

The Woodland Gardens are now closed and will re open for the flowering season mid April to early June 2024.

For more information regarding the Woodland Gardens please visit here. 

 

All tickets and prices can be viewed and purchased online HERE

Can I travel 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 & Gardens.

Train – The nearest mainline station is Chippenham.  Taxis are available or you can take the 55 bus to Studley crossroads.

Which entrance do I use?
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.
Please note: There is no access from the Golden Gates entrance to Bowood Hotel, Spa, and Golf Resort opposite the Lansdowne Arms public house in Derry Hill.

Bowood Woodland Gardens (open from 14th 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 Treehouse Café and the main Admission point as well as the Woodland Gardens.

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 812 102 for all group booking enquiries.

For more information, please call: 01249 812 102 or email: reception@bowood.org

We ask all our visitors to pre-book Day Tickets online in advance, which allows faster entry into the grounds on the day.

Tickets for our Garden Tours available on selective dates throughout the season, must be purchased in advance online.

All Workshops and Events must be booked online in advance, for third-party events please purchase tickets directly from direct websites, workshops and events are subject to separate terms and conditions.

Groups of 15 or more receive a discount and must be booked before arrival via Lisa Kent: l.kent@bowood.org

Early Bird 2024 Season Tickets will be available to purchase online from Friday 1st December to 31st January 2024. Disabled and their registered Carer season available to purchase online from 1st February 2024.

Our 2024 Early Bird Season Tickets are available to purchase online from Friday 1st December to 31st January 2024. Disabled and their registered Carer season available to purchase online from 1st February 2024.

CLICK HERE for Early Bird Season Tickets

View Bowood House & Gardens Map HERE

Only working Assistance Dogs are permitted at Bowood House & Gardens. Where possible if the dog could please wear their recognisable harness or jacket.

 

Please create an account online prior to purchasing your tickets. This will enable you to log into your account to change your date of visit online up to 24-hours prior to your arrival. (Only available on Day Tickets to the House & Gardens.)

 

 

We do offer discounted group rates to groups of 15 or more. This needs to be booked in advance. Please contact Lisa Kent – l.kent@bowood.org for prices and to book.

Please visit our Group Tours page for more information on the Tours we offer.

RHS members receive complimentary entry to the Woodland Gardens only. Please ensure you show your RHS Membership card on arrival to gain access.

Bowood Woodlands Gardens are open for 6 weeks during the flowering season, mid April to early June.

This offer is no longer available at Bowood Woodland Gardens.

This offer is no longer available at Bowood House & Gardens or Bowood Woodland Gardens.

 

 

 

 

We no longer offer complimentary access for Historic Houses members. Please book your day tickets online here.

 

 

This offer is no longer valid at Bowood House & Gardens.

The Adventure Playground is only suitable for children aged 12 years and under. Older children are not allowed on the equipment, unless they are supervising a younger child.

The famous Space Dive is for aged 12 years and under which has a 19ft vertical drop.

The Flying Fox has a strict height limit of 130cm enforced.

The Den and Activity Barn is suitable for children aged 7 years and under.

Is the Adventure Playground supervised?
Parents and Guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children whilst in the Adventure Playground and The Den and in all other areas of the Bowood Estate.  During school holidays and weekends, staff will be on duty in the Adventure Playground to offer assistance when required, however, responsibility for supervision remains the responsibility of the parents and guardians at all times.

Is all equipment open when it rains?
Bowood House, Grounds and Activity Barn 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.

Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult in the grounds at all times.

Complimentary car parking is available next to admissions.
Please do not leave pets in parked cars.
By using our car park, you do so at your own risk. Bowood is not able to accept any responsibility for damage, accidents, or losses.

There are no overnight parking or camping facilities on the Estate. Accommodation is available at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, a short walk away.

The Treehouse Café, located next to admissions is currently closed.

The Stables, located in Bowood House is currently closed.

Picnics are allowed within the grounds (except the Terraces by the House) and picnic benches are provided.

We regret that barbeques are not permitted anywhere within the Grounds including the car park.

Please note that during inclement weather, the Flying Fox (zip wire), Jumping Pillows, and large outdoor slides will be closed, however all other attractions remain unaffected.  There are no reductions/discounts available in poor weather.  Bowood management reserves the right to close the House and Gardens in exceptional circumstances.

Bowood welcomes people with disabilities and offers half-price admissions for visitors with disabilities and their carers/assistants. Working Assistance Dogs are also welcome. If possible if the dog could please wear their recognisable harness or jacket.

Please also note paths around the House and Grounds are gravel therefore Wheelchairs and Pushchairs may find it difficult. Designated parking is available, and wheelchairs can be borrowed, subject to availability. 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.

Accessible toilets are initially provided in the Treehouse Café. Baby changing facilities are available in the Treehouse Café and next to the Adventure Playground. Please ask a member of the team if you require any assistance or for more information.

Please be advised our Garden Tours may be challenging for those with mobility issues or those uneasy walking over mixed terrain (we have gravel paths, so wheelchair use is not advised within the Private Walled Gardens). The upper sections of Bowood House are accessible via a staircase and the Terraces Gardens has steps down into the lower section and east lawn, which is only accessible on foot.

There is a ramp leading into Bowood House, some of our Exhibition Rooms are only accessible via a staircase upstairs.

 

For more information please CLICK HERE for ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSIVITY AT BOWOOD

We offer Disability and their registered Carer day tickets to Bowood House & Gardens which are discounted at 50% off our standard day ticket prices and can be purchased online. Please show the relevant paperwork at admissions along with your day ticket confirmation email.

Please show either a 1. Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance letter. 2. Personal Independence Payment Letter. 3. Letter from GP or consultant confirming the need for a full time carer. This does not need to be a letter of diagnosis. (All need to be dated within the last 12 months.) Without the relevant paperwork admissions are unable to allow access to Bowood House & Gardens on this ticket.

Wheelchairs are available at the House & Gardens on a first come first serve basis.

All bicycles including Children’s bikes, scooters, skateboards and rollerskates are not allowed within the Grounds of Bowood House & Gardens or Bowood Woodland Gardens.

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.

Season Ticket Holders can access Bowood’s seasonal trails on a complimentary basis. Any events operated via a third-party and held in the Bowood grounds incur a separate entry fee. Please visit the website for more information.

Yes, if you are a resident at Bowood Hotel Spa and Golf Resort during our open season (dates for 2024) from 29th March – 3rd November 2024,  you receive complimentary access into Bowood House & Gardens and the Woodland Gardens (mid April to early June). Please speak to the Hotel reception for more details. Tel: 01249 822 228 or email hotereception@bowood.org

No – Bowood House & Gardens will continue to operate as a cash free site.

Please note that smoking or vaping are not permitted on site.

Amateur photography and filming is allowed within the Grounds of Bowood, but not inside the House.

No commercial photography/film is allowed within the House or Gardens without our consent.  If you have a photography or filming request, please contact Sarah Forwood on s.forwood@bowood.org.

For filming please see our information HERE and complete our enquiry form.

Drones are not allowed on the Estate.

Yes, you can visit the Woodland Gardens during the opening season as many times as you wish. Season Ticket Holders do not need to book tickets. Just need to show your 2024 Season Ticket Holder Card on arrival.

Bowood Woodland Gardens are now closed and will re open for the flowering season from mid April to early June 2024.

Swimming or paddling in the lake, cascade, or fountains is strictly forbidden.

Fishing on the lake is by annual permit only; day tickets are not available.  Please call 01249 812102 for more information.

 

Please email us at houseandgardens@bowood.org with your name and date of visit and a brief description of the item. We can then check our lost property items to see if this has been handed in and come back to you.

Visiting Bowood

We do ask that when visiting Bowood, you take care throughout the gardens and grounds.

CHILDREN
Please remember that all children (under the age of 16) visiting Bowood must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 18 or over), with a valid Day Ticket or Season Ticket, at all times. Please keep children and other vulnerable people supervised and safe, especially around the lake and cascade.

GROUNDS & GARDENS 
Please observe all notices during your visit – they are there for the safety of visitors and staff. Do not stray into cordoned-off areas. Under no circumstances should anything be picked or eaten from the grounds or gardens. Litter bins are available throughout the grounds.