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Visitor Information
Lancelot 'Capability' Brown
Bowood is regarded as one of the best-preserved examples, with a flowing mix of plantations and sweeping lawns leading down to a mile long lake.
Like the House, the park and grounds have also undergone major changes reflecting the tastes and fortunes of the family living at Bowood over the years. The earliest painting of the house from 1725 shows that the park was laid out in a semi-formal style, with ha ha avenues, wilderness and ornamental lakes. All of this was swept away by ‘Capability’ Brown, a fashionable 18th-century garden designer, who was brought in by the 2nd Earl to landscape the park in 1762 through to 1768.
Called ‘Capability’ because he told his clients their parkland had capability for improvement. Brown said himself that his landscapes stood for ‘all the elegance and all the comforts that mankind wants in the Country’.
Bowood was landscaped when Brown was at the height of his career, creating naturalistic landscapes of sweeping lawns and wooded plantations. Brown used all his skills and experience in designing the great lake that dominates the park. Without mechanical assistance he drained the land, dammed two streams and moved earth to form the mile long lake.
In 1841, actress Fanny Kemble confirmed Brown’s achievement at Bowood: “… a home of terrestrial delights … a charming English landscape, educated with consummate taste into the very perfection of apparently natural beauty…”
Although other designers and gardeners have worked at Bowood after Brown, the 40 hectares of pleasure grounds and surrounding park have been preserved and added to over the past 250 years.
During Autumn you can expect to see the most breathtaking autumnal colours as you explore the grounds that come alive at this time of year. Awash with crisp oranges and deep red hues, it’s worth wrapping up warm and enjoying the beauty of our Arboretum. With a collection of over 700 species of trees, 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 11 Champion trees – the tallest or largest of their kind in Britain.
download our tree guideGarden Tours
Whether you are a tour operator, special interest group or planning to visit with friends and family, we have a variety of garden tours and packages at Bowood House & Gardens to suit all interests.
A guided tour of the enchanting landscape awaits you, with a flowing mix of plantations and sweeping lawns leading down to a mile long lake. Behind the Georgian house through a secret door is Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s Private Walled Garden. Offering guided tours of the four distinct one-acre square garden’s comprising of formal borders, a picking garden, glass houses and a working kitchen garden.
Capability Brown Garden Tour
You may wish to book a group of 12 guests or more on to a special ‘Capability’ Brown themed garden tour. The Bowood landscape has an exceptionally interesting history which will be revealed in this special tour. The tour will include the beautiful House Terrace, overlooking the magnificent ‘Capability’ Brown landscape and lake, where the group can wander down to Hamilton’s Cascade, the Doric Temple and through the Arboretum. The tour will focus on Brown’s revolutionary visions, as well as his aesthetics and practical skills.
For more information please email houseandgardens@bowood.org or telephone 01249 812102.
Private Walled Garden Tours
Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne’s Private Walled Gardens, surrounding Bowood House.
A truly special experience as you walk through the secret door into an enchanting land of four distinctly different gardens including a formal boarder, a picking garden, the glass houses and a kitchen garden. Our tour guides tailor each visit to suit the season and the flowers in bloom, from the wandering wisteria to the wall of vibrant roses.
We offer the opportunity for guests to book onto our monthly guided tours, to view dates please click here.
For groups of 12 or more, a tour can be organised on a weekday of your choice with discounted rates. For more information please email houseandgardens@bowood.org or telephone 01249 812 102.
Group Visits
Whether you’re a tour operator, special interest group or planning to visit with friends and family, we have a variety of group packages and guided tours for all interest.
School Visits
A bespoke educational programme for Nursery and Primary Schools. It includes a variety of topics to stimulate and inspire.
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In my opinion, Bowood is important as one of the earliest examples of Brown’s fully-developed style, with perimeter belts, circuit rides, and no residual geometry. It is also, for my money, one of the best preserved examples of his work.
Tom Williamson, University of East Anglia
Bowood House & Gardens Opening Hours
Bowood House & Gardens is now closed and will reopen for the 2023 season from 1st April – 1st November.
House & Gardens Ticket Prices
Bowood House & Gardens is now closed and will reopen for the 2023 season from 1st April – 1st November.
2023 Day Ticket prices coming soon
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 Restaurant located within the House, is now closed for the season.
- 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 The 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
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 15th 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
Bowood House & Gardens Opening Hours
Bowood House & Gardens is now closed and will reopen for the 2023 season from 1st April – 1st November.
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 Restaurant located within the House, is now closed for the season.
- 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 The 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
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