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Capability Browns Award-Winning Gardens
Regarded to be one of the best-preserved examples of a ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland. Bowood is also recognised for its award-winning gardens, an Italian-inspired terrace garden, Private Walled Garden, an ever-changing herbaceous border, and the most remarkable of all, The Woodland Gardens.
To view our plant and flowers guide ‘what to see and when’ at Bowood House & Gardens, can be downloaded here.
VIEWVisitor Information
Bowood's Arboretum
A collection of over 700 species of trees.
The Arboretum, located behind the Private Walled Gardens, is full of interesting and unusual trees and shrubs. Designed by ‘Capability’ Brown in 1762, it retains much of his original vision. Walking through the Arboretum an extensive range of trees can be explored, including 23 Champion trees – the tallest or largest of their kind in Britain.
Autumn Colours: During September and October, the Arboretum is awash with vibrant colour. One of the acers is in fact classified as a ‘champion’ tree: the Acer rubrum October glory. Twenty-two metres high and with a diameter of 69 centimetres, it is to be found on the northern perimeter of the pinetum, among a group of acers. It was planted here in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee year.
viewHerbaceous East Border
A beautiful border bursting with vibrant plants.
The herbaceous border radiates colour from spring through to the first winter frosts, combining a range of plants that will inspire and surprise any garden enthusiast. Each month the border reveals new colours, shapes and textures. The view from the border across the lake to the Doric Temple is spectacular.
view'Capability' Brown Parkland
Where better to enjoy the work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, than at Bowood?
Regarded to be one of his finest examples in the country, with a flowing mix of plantations and sweeping lawns leading down to a winding mile-long lake.
Download our Tree and Shrubs guide here.
viewBowood's Terrace Gardens
An Italian-inspired garden, providing visitors with a tranquil experience.
Fountains of trickling water are surrounded by colourful formal beds edged with box hedging. The upper and lower terraces are separated by ornamental stone balustrades decorated with urns overflowing with colourful plants. Spring brings delightful tulips, succeeded in summer by aliums and Corinda geraniums. The summer roses on the upper terrace provide a profusion of fragrant blossoms.
VIEWCascade, Doric Temple and The Hermits Cave
Visitors can explore at their leisure, 100 acres of pleasure grounds.
Visit the Arboretum, the Cascade, Doric Temple, Hermits Cave and the lake itself. Unfortunately dogs are not permitted within the grounds of Bowood House & Gardens.
Private Walled Garden
On selective dates throughout the season you can join our exclusive guided tours.
Tailored to the season and the flowers in bloom, each month we hold guided tours of Bowood’s Private Walled Garden. Entered through a secret door are the historic four-acre walled gardens, divided into four one-acre squares of distinctly different gardens. Including a formal border, a picking garden, working greenhouses, and a kitchen garden full of fruits and vegetables.
Tours must be pre booked in advance.
All tours for this season have now finished. Please keep an eye on our website for dates and prices for next season.
viewHead Gardener Tours
With only 4 tours each season, you will tour Bowood’s Private Walled Garden with David Glass, Bowood’s Head Gardener.
You will be amazed by the inspiring use of wall space and vertical gardening in Private Walled Gardens. The long border still holds an Osmanthus burkwoodii, planted by Sir Harold Hillier over forty years ago. It must now be a Champion, at over eighteen feet high. There’s plenty of time to ask David questions and following the tour, you will enjoy a delicious lunch.
This tour is aimed towards keen gardeners looking to expand their knowledge and gain some insights into how we at Bowood deal with the many challenges our dedicated team of gardeners faces. Tours must be pre booked in advance.
Tours must be booked in advance.
viewBowood's Woodland Gardens
A spectacular attraction offering breathtaking vistas of colour and beauty. The Woodland Gardens are currently closed and will re open from mid April to early June 2025 for the flowering season.
A separate attraction on the Bowood Estate, only open for 6 weeks during the flowering season. Covering over 30 acres, this garden is an oasis of bluebells, azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendrons. Considered to be one of the most exciting gardens of its type in the country with over 30 hardy hybrids, which were thought to be extinct.
VIEWBowood House & Gardens Opening Hours
Bowood House & Gardens is now open, Friday 29th March – 3rd November 2024 daily.
Opening hours: 10:30 – 17:30 with last admissions at 16:30 daily. (Daylight saving hours: From 27th October to 3rd November everything will close 30 minutes earlier).
- Treehouse Café: 10:00 – 17:30
- Adventure Playground: 10:30 – 17:15 (Equipment locked from 17:00)
- The Den and Activity Barn: 10:30 – 17:15
- Bowood House and Gift Shop: 10:30 – 17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
- The Stables Café: 11:00 – 17:00 (Lunch between 12:00 -14:00, Cream Tea between 14:30 – 16:30)
House & Gardens Day Ticket Prices
Bowood House & Gardens is open daily from Friday 29th March till 3rd November 2024.
2024 Day Ticket prices are available to purchase online and on the day at admissions.
Please note: Bowood House & Gardens will continue to operate as a cash free site.
Adult (17+) – £17.20
Senior (60+) – £14.50
Young Adult (13-16 years) £14.50
Junior (7-12 years) – £13.00
Child (2-6 years) – £10.50Family ‘Option 1’. 2 Adults + 1 Child under 12 years – £42.00
Family ‘Option 2’. 2 Adults + 2 Children under 12 years or 1 Adult + 3 Children under 12 years – £51.00
Family ‘Option 3’. 2 Adults + 3 Children under 12 years – £60.70Help conserve Bowood for future generations and travel the greener way to Bowood House & Gardens via public transport or bicycle. You will receive a 20% discount off your day ticket, only available at admissions (not valid on Woodland Gardens tickets) must show your proof of travel by bus, train or bike on arrival at admissions.
Bowood House & Gardens Facilities
FACILITIES:
- The Treehouse Café is located by admissions, and the café offers a range of sandwiches, paninis, wraps, etc. with a selection of fillings.
- The Stables Café is located in Bowood House, serving a seasonal hot and cold buffet, cream teas, and refreshments.
- Conveniently located in the middle of the Adventure Playground, the Ice Cream Kiosk is open during school holidays and weekends.
- Complimentary car park available next to admissions. Please do not leave pets in parked cars. If you use our car parks, you do so at your own risk. Bowood is not able to accept any responsibility for damage, accidents, or losses.
- 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.
- Toilets are available within the Treehouse Café, next to admissions, next to the Adventure Playground, and within Bowood House.
- 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.
- Picnics are allowed anywhere within the grounds (except the Terraces by the House) and picnic benches are provided.
- Barbeques are not permitted anywhere within the Grounds including the car park.
- Only working Assistance Dogs are permitted at Bowood House & Gardens
- Please also note paths around the House and Grounds are gravel therefore Wheelchairs and Pushchairs may find it difficult.
- Bowood House & Gardens will continue to operate as a cash free site.
- Children’s Activities are available here at Bowood, click here
Bowood House & Gardens Find Us
HOUSE & GARDENS
What3words address: ///wacky.admire.spurted will get you to our Studley entrance gates for Bowood House & Gardens.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.The Woodland Gardens (open from 12th 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
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