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You are here > Home > Food & Drink > Café Bowes at The Bowes Museum

Café Bowes at The Bowes Museum

From £5.00
Newgate
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 8NP

Tel: +44 01833 690606

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Add Café Bowes at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

An example of the afternoon tea Café Bowes makes featuring macaroons, scones and swan style biscuit.
  • An example of the afternoon tea Café Bowes makes featuring macaroons, scones and swan style biscuit.
  • A family enjoying lunch at Café Bowes.
  • A close up shot of sandwich at Café Bowes
  • A couple smiling and enjoying lunch at Café Bowes.

About

Sit back and relax with family and friends and enjoy a delicious bite to eat in Café Bowes. Our chefs source the very best local ingredients to create a super tasty seasonal menu. Whether it’s breakfast, a quick cuppa and a slice of cake, a leisurely three course lunch or scrumptious afternoon tea, you’ll find something to delight your taste buds.

We’re happy to adapt any of our dishes for allergies or personal requirements. We hold lots of events with specially created tasting menus, keep an eye on this page or sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date.

Café Bowes has now expanded its award-winning cafe to the outdoors.  Situated on the terrace area at the entrance to the museum, diners can enjoy a range of quality and locally sourced hot and cold food and select from an extensive drink list whilst taking in the scenic views of the 22-acre parkland at the Bowes museum, Teesdale and beyond. 

Entry to Café Bowes is free and you can call in daily at any time from 10:00 with last orders for drinks and snacks at 4:30.

To book a table, call 01833 690606 and ask for Café Bowes, walk-ins also welcome.

Awards

  • Visit EnglandVisitor Ready Visitor Ready 2025
  • Regional and MiscellaneousWeardale Visitor Network Member Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
1877 reviews
    • Excellent
      1211
    • Very Good
      465
    • Average
      134
    • Poor
      39
    • Terrible
      28

    Recent Reviews:

    • Catecumbria
      Lake District, United Kingdom
      Super museum from yesterday with the freshness of today
      5 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 4th June 2025
      We went for the 2pm swan event and visited one of the exhibitions. The staff are friendly, welcoming, unstuffy and the whole place felt warm and inclusive. We can't wait to go back! Read full review
    • LizzyinEastYorks
      Welcoming, informative & entertaining. A great day out!
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 5th June 2025
      This is a truly splendid museum with staff whose love for the museum and its exhibits shines through; it has a fabulous café as well! We went looking forward to seeing the famous animatronic swan in... Read full review
    • Keith R
      York, United Kingdom
      Great place to visit.
      5 of 5 stars
      Friday, 6th June 2025
      First time we been in forty years. Great staff. So much to see. Really need more than a day to see it all. Cafe have a good menu. Recommended are the cheese scones. Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Facilities

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    • On site parking

    Access Information

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    Opening Times

    2025 (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)

    * Opens from 10am, hot lunches 12-3pm with last orders at 4.30pm.

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bowes-Museum/8814259979
    instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebowesmuseum/

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

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    Highlights...

    The exterior of The Bowes Museum and its grounds on a sunny day.The Bowes Museum, Barnard CastleThere’s always something great to see and do at The Bowes Museum.  With more than 50,000 items in this Museum of artists, designers and makers, there are treasures at every turn.

    A man playing a cello and a man playing the piano room in the picture gallery.Venue Hire, Barnard CastleThe Bowes Museum is set in the historic market town of Barnard Castle in the breath taking Durham Dales, surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, it is an inspirational and aesthetic venue for multiple uses.

    An external image of The Bowes MuseumThe Bowes Museum, Barnard CastleWe’ve a dedicated groups co-ordinator who can help you plan a fantastic day out, designed especially for you! To find out more, including the fabulous discounted entry and delicious menu’s available contact our friendly team by emailing groups@thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

    The inside of the shop with books, toys and cards on display.The Bowes Museum Shop, Barnard CastleExplore our shop, where you'll find the perfect souvenir or special gift. Our selection includes art books, toys, crafts, beautiful cards, and tasty confectionery. We also offer handmade jewellery and ceramics, allowing you to take home a unique piece of art.

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