The Bowes Museum
A château-style museum on the edge of Barnard Castle. Its treasure is an 18th-century silver swan automaton that appears to catch fish.
The museum was built in the 19th century by John Bowes and his French wife, Joséphine. It is styled after a French Second Empire château. Its collections include European paintings by El Greco, Goya and Canaletto, along with porcelain, furniture and fashion. The most famous piece is the silver swan automaton of 1773, which is demonstrated at set times every afternoon. The swan bends its head down to seize a fish. Admission is about £17. The museum is in the town of Barnard Castle, about 40 km from Durham, roughly a 45-minute drive. The Barnard Castle ruins in town are also worth a look if you are passing.
Opening hours
10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Raby Castle
- Hamsterley Forest
- Kynren – An Epic Tale of England
- Auckland Castle
- High Force
- Locomotion – National Railway Museum Shildon
- Oriental Museum
- Durham University Botanic Garden