About
The Bowes Museum is the perfect place for a day out this October half-term, 25 October – 2 November 2025. From daily self-guided trails and hands-on art activities to interactive exhibitions and an intimate live concert, there is something fun for the whole family, and best of all, under 18s go free. Whether exploring the museum’s stunning galleries or wandering through its vibrant autumn grounds, there are lots of ways to discover quality time together this October half-term.
Pippa Hale Pet Project:
Pippa Hale: Pet Project is the perfect blend of education and play, learn about the history of ceramics and experience them like never before by cuddling and climbing on giant, squishy versions of the pieces.
Inspired by the exhibition, the museum’s half-term programme offers creative activities for all ages. On 25 October and 1 November, families can join Bisque Pottery workshops Mud & More to paint their own cat or dog figurine, taking inspiration the museum’s collection. The Purr-fect Story Tour on 29 and 31 October invites families to take part in an interactive tour that explores pets across the collection. For young people and adults, the Regal Beasts workshop with artist Maddie Agnew on 27 October offers a playful chance to create a Victorian-style pet portrait on canvas, from dashing dogs in uniform to sassy cats in ruffles.
Activities for Children:
Bats are synonymous with the autumn season, and on 28 and 30 October, children can make and decorate their own bat box in the museum’s outdoor classroom (weather permitting.)
Artist Maker sessions throughout the week are reflecting textiles and paintings in the museum’s collection, including the Blackborne Lace Collection, Canaletto’s paintings and hidden histories waiting to be uncovered.
A Stay and Play session on 30 October in the Conversation gallery allows the museum’s youngest visitors to investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.
Chris Difford In Concert:
Chris Difford: A Little Stand-Up and A Little Sit-Down, is at the museum during half-term, on 1 November, and promises an evening of storytelling and music spanning his celebrated career. This event is part of the wider In Concert series continuing into the winter months, offering visitors the chance to enjoy live music in a beautiful heritage setting.
Exhibitions:
October is also a great time to catch the newly opened exhibition, Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail, which explores the impact of railway travel on fashion and culture. Also, in the Fashion & Textiles Gallery, Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion showcases rare pieces from her personal wardrobe alongside archival materials and textiles she and her husband, John Bowes, collected throughout their lives. Elsewhere, Not Just Nude continues to provoke thought in the Blue Picture gallery, questioning the role of nudity in art.
Trails and Outdoor Artworks:
The Great Swan Heist and LGBTQIA+ Object trails allow visitors to explore the museum through different lenses. Figure out solve the mystery of who is planning to steal our silver swan or uncover hidden LGBTQIA+ narratives in the collection.
As visitors wander the colourful grounds, they can look up to see Nathan Coley’s You Create What You Will (2014), Claire A. Baker’s In Progress and Process flags (2025), and Martin Smith’s Kinetic Arboretum (2018). As the days grow shorter, watch Coley’s illuminated words light up the sky, and see how Baker’s and Smith’s works respond gently to the autumn breeze.
Café Bowes and Shop:
Visitors can round off their visit with a warm drink and a sweet treat in Café Bowes and stop by the shop to take home a memento of their day, perhaps one of the brand-new Silver Swan toys.
Visit the October Half-Term page to learn more, please note that booking is required for some activities.
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Find out what’s happening this week across the Culture County. From festivals and exhibitions, to sport and theatre, you’re certain to have an eventful time in Durham.
