Bowood House, near Calne (Wiltshire)
Summary
- 19th century buildings
- Art and sculpture
- Gift shop
- Gardens
- Children's play area
- Free car parking (on site)
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Food and Drinks
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Introduction
Bowood House is a fine example of 18th-century architecture and splendid interiors: the Adam Orangery, the Chapel and Library by C.R. Cockerell, the New Hall, the Sculpture Gallery and the Laboratory where Dr Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1774. There is also a series of exhibition rooms with a wealth of fine furniture, costumes, pocelain, jewellery and paintings on display. Outside, the house is surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown’s stunning park; there are magnificent formal gardens, a ‘Picturesque’ rockwork garden; and the renowned pinetum and arboretum.
History to the present day
Bowood House stems back from the medieval period, but the first proper house was built in about 1725. The Bowood estate was purchased in 1754 by John Petty, 1st Earl of Shelburne. Petty called in architect Henry Keene to expand the earlier house, adding a service wing and a porticoed entrance. No sooner had the estate passed to the 2nd Earl in 1761 then Robert Adam and his brother John were called in to update Keene's design. The Adams's were responsible for the decoration of the main rooms, and the creation of the grand Orangery, which dominates the current house entrance. The Adams's also added a mausoleum for the 1st Earl.
Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was called in to impart his inimitable style to the parkland surrounding the house. This he did in his usual grand style; sweeping away the formality of the previous gardens in favour of open views and carefully planted trees to embellish the gently winding lake at the bottom of the hill. Brown also added a 'pleasure ground' near the house, an area set aside for plants deemed more exotic or intriguing.
During the 1780s the landscape of Bowood estate was embellished by the addition of classical elements in line with the vogue for the 'Picturesque' style. At Bowood the picturesque took the form of cascades, a hermit's cave, and grotto, and a rock garden.
Further Victorian additions include a clock tower - the work of Charles Barry - an arboretum and pinetum, and the present terraced garden. A very popular later addition is the Rhododendron Walk, which covers fully 60 acres.
Food and Drinks
Bowood House has a cafe which serves refreshments and light lunches. Open 11.00am – 6.00pm daily.
The Bowood House Restaurant is open during the season on Sundays, serving Sunday lunches.
Grounds and gardens
Bowood House has a splendid 'Capability Brown' 100 acre park which includes a 40 acre lake, the Cascade Waterfall, Doric Temple, arboretum, pinetum and terraced rose garden. For children under 12, Bowood offers a truly outstanding Adventure Playground. There is also a separate garden of 50 acres of spectacular rhododendron walks open mid April to early June.
Other facilities
Gift Shop open from 11.00am – 5.30pm.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: , Wiltshire, , United Kingdom
Address: Bowood House and Gardens, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 0LZ
Directions: M4 at junction 17, then follow the signs
Opening Hours: April to October 11.00am to 6.00pm
More photos of Bowood House, near Calne
Gardens
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