Bowood House sits within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland and has been home to the Lansdowne family since 1754.
Home to the Lansdowne family since 1754.
The Bowood Estate was bought in 1754 by the 1st Earl of Shelburne, his descendants have lived here ever since. Not simply landowners, the Petty-Fitzmaurices have served in public office almost continuously for over 200 years.
The changing fortunes of the family, through difficult and easier times, are reflected in the evolution of Bowood.
Bowood House hosts a wealth of unique art and antiques with many historical treasures.
Explore the family Library and Chapel, the room where Joseph Priestley discovered Oxygen in 1774, the Sculpture Gallery, the Orangery and a range of exhibition rooms.
Nearly 300 years of amazing artefacts and antiques from the family history are on display.
Bowood’s Changing Landscape
In 1754 John, 1st Earl of Shelburne purchased a fairly standard designed landscape with straight vistas cutting through woodland to give controlled views to and from the house. The newly built house was surrounded by a semi-formal garden with avenues of trees and there was a rectangular lake to the east.
Probably the most significant changes to Bowood’s landscape are Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s redesign of the park with the introduction of the magnificent lake in the 1760s and, more recently, the opening to the public in 1972, and the creation of the championship standard golf course in 1992.
Our 2023 exhibition is a celebration of the many changes – driven by both fashion and economy – that have occurred over the last 269 years to Bowood’s landscape.
Image: The Lake, Bowood, c.1890
In this auspicious year of King Charles III’s Coronation, we are displaying the Marquis and Marchioness’ Peer Robes. These can be viewed within Bowood House.
Visitors can now view in the upstairs exhibition rooms, Lady Lansdowne’s Queen’s Attendant dress worn at King Charles III’s Coronation.
An exquisite setting to hold an event.
Benefit from a backdrop of one of England’s finest Georgian House with an event site combining acres of space and stunning beauty and unrivalled accessibility.
The Gardeners’ Bothy, available for private hire. The perfect setting for talks, courses, meetings, seminars and private family celebrations.
Bowood Estate, in the heart of Wiltshire is an ideal location for shooting films and photo shoots.
The private Georgian House sits amongst stunning scenery offering far reaching views across the ‘Capability’ Brown landscape.
For more information, please telephone the Events Team on 01249 810 961 or email Sarah Forwood – s.forwood@bowood.org
