Things to do

We look forward to welcoming visitors when the House & Gardens reopen over Friday 27th March - Sunday 1st November 2026.

Create exceptional memories with your family and friends.  There is something new to discover on every visit, from exploring a historic house and connecting with nature, to spotting the hidden gems and conquering the Adventure Playground.

Bowood House

Step inside the rich history of Bowood House, the cherished home of the Lansdowne family since 1754, and discover stunning Georgian architecture, fine art and fascinating historical treasures. Highlights of the collection include the laboratory in which Dr. Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen gas, Queen Victoria’s wedding chair and Napoleon’s death mask. Explore the elegant Sculpture Gallery, Orangery, Library, Chapel, Laboratory and exhibition rooms. Bowood House is home to the Lansdowne family and the private areas are not accessible to visitors.

View our Terrace Gift Shop, located within Bowood House, offering an array of locally sourced food products, Bowood souvenirs, a range of delightful home-ware and a selection of books.

2026 House Exhibition – “1776: Secrets, Spies and the American Revolution”, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Lord Shelburne had a significant relationship with America through both politics and friendships. As Prime Minister, he was instrumental in brokering peace through the Treaty of Paris at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783. He had a friendship with Benjamin Franklin, which led to accusations that he was secretly in contact with Franklin throughout the war. This exhibition will explore both politics and relationships, as well as delving into the world of eighteenth-century espionage, something Franklin played a huge part in. Discover how the Americans and British both used ingenious methods to carry secret messages, from using invisible ink to hiding notes in unsuspecting places. It will finish with the Treaty of Paris, and the impact of the Revolution on Lord Shelburne's career.

Discover Bowood's History

Walled Garden

Located behind towering walls this four acre ‘secret garden’, is centred around the environment and the protection of nature, it offers an oasis of splendour and an escape from the everyday. Wander through meticulously designed flower beds and enjoy the seasonal blooms, from tulips in the spring, to roses in June, to perennials in late summer. Discover the Kitchen Garden, Greenhouses and Sensory Garden where inspired learning can come to life.

On selected dates throughout the 2026 season, individuals may join an exclusive guided tour of Bowood’s stunning gardens and grounds, including Bowood's Walled Garden, prior to public opening.

Garden Exhibition - The Bath Society of Botanical Artists was invited by Lord Kerry in 2024 to illustrate plants from the Bowood collection for an exhibition in the Garden Studio, located within the Walled Garden in 2026. Entitled ‘The Lifecycle of Plants’, the exhibition will feature paintings of plants from the Bowood Gardens and Arboretum. The Bath Society of Botanical Artists is a thriving, friendly, society with about forty members. Their aim is to promote an interest in botanical art and develop their skills in all forms of botanical illustration.

Discover Garden Tours Download Walled Garden Map

Terrace Garden

Set next to Bowood House, the Italianate Terrace Garden has a formal design, with an upper, lower and east terrace, and is brimming with vibrant flowers and delicate water features. It offers stunning panoramic views of Bowood’s ‘Capability’ Brown designed parkland and is the perfect spot to wander, relax and take in the Estate’s natural beauty.

Discover Garden Tours

Adventure Playground

Families with children aged 12 years and under can enjoy hours of fun in the Adventure Playground, voted one of the most exciting play areas in the South West. At its heart stands a full-sized pirate ship, where imagination can run wild. Children can scale the scramble nets, conquer the treetop aerial walkways, cross the rope bridges and zoom down the long slides. New zip wires allow children to fly through the air and a large jumping pillow offers endless fun. Adrenalin seekers can take on the epic Space Dive and whizz down the 32ft slide.

Next to the main Adventure Playground lies the Under 7’s Partridge Play Pen, featuring boat swings, a Wendy house, ball pit and large jumping pillow – all perfectly suited to younger visitors.

The Den is dedicated to children aged 7 years and under. The Activity Barn offers indoor, interactive play with a kitchen, shop, house and garden plus a small soft play area with animals. Children will love to ride our outdoor tractor trail with a range of exciting features to test and entertain their driving skills. There is also the opportunity to build their own unique outdoor woodland den, with branches sourced from trees on the Estate. Children can have fun building sand castles in our outdoor sandpit.

Discover our Family Activities

Hidden Gems

Bowood’s idyllic Grounds are full of remarkable features waiting to be discovered. A charming Cascade can be found in a secluded spot near the Lake, where water tumbles down a waterfall into a little river, complete with stepping stones. Nearby, the Hermit’s Cave, ever popular with children and adult explorers, is lined with fossils and mineralogical specimens (ammonites). The Doric Temple offers beautiful views across the Lake and Parkland and a tranquil place to pause and take in the Estate’s natural wonders.

Arboretum

Located in the Pleasure Grounds, the Arboretum is regarded as one of the best places in Britain to look at trees and there are a variety of champion trees to admire. Collectively the trees provide the visitor with a stunning spectacle of seasonal colours whether it be bark, flower, fruit, foliage or autumn tints. Wander amongst rare, record-breaking trees, breathe in the fresh air and spot some of Bowood’s local wildlife.

Find out more about Bowood's Trees & Shrubs by downloading our Tree Guide book.

A Guide to Bowood's Trees and Shrubs Discover the Historic Parkland & Arboretum Tour

Woodland Garden

A separate attraction on the Bowood Estate, the Woodland Garden is only open for six weeks during the flowering season (mid April to early June) and is considered one of the county's most exciting gardens. It covers over 30 acres and has just over two miles of intersecting paths that offer an oasis of bluebells, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons.

A selection of homemade cakes and locally sourced tea and coffee are available, courtesy of The Nosh Box – a charmingly restored vintage horse trailer, situated near the admission kiosk. Picnic benches are available for visitors.

We look forward to welcoming visitors when the Woodland Garden reopens over mid April to early June 2026.

Discover Woodland Garden

Explore Bowood

Doric Temple The Doric Temple, built in the 18th century, features the sturdy columns of the Doric order. Once a focal point in the estate’s gardens, it offered views of the parkland. Inspired by ancient Greece, the temple is a key example of neoclassical design on the estate.
Adventure Playground One of the most exciting play areas in the South West, with a life-size pirate ship, aerial walkways, and zip wires for children up to 12 years old.
Golden Gates The Golden Gates, crafted in the 18th century by Sir Charles Barry, are a striking example of ironwork on the estate. Positioned at the entrance, they provide a grand welcome, symbolising the estate’s heritage.
Queenwood Queenwood on the estate is a peaceful woodland with mature trees, perfect for walks and wildlife. Part of the estate’s historic landscape, it offers visitors a chance to enjoy nature and explore the wider parkland.
Bowood Resort Our 4 AA Red Star hotel and resort provides luxury rooms and suites, a PGA golf course, luxury spa, and award-winning dining experiences.
Woodland Gardens Open for six weeks during the flowering season, these gardens offer breathtaking vistas of colour and beauty.
House & Gardens Step into the rich history and natural beauty of our House & Gardens, a captivating Georgian estate set within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped “Capability” Brown parkland.