With the school summer holidays fast approaching Marlborough.news readers may be interested to know that ticket prices at Bowood Estate have been reduced due to the Government’s Great British Saving scheme which slashes VAT from 20% to 5%. The offer runs until September 1. This means that Day Tickets for adults are £16 and for children £11.80, 2-6 years £9.60 with lots of Saver bundles for families and concessions for seniors, disability and carers. A day ticket gives access to the house and gardens, including the walled garden as well as the extensive adventure playground and arboretum. If you’re quick, there is a special after school offer until the end of term of a 50% reduction for entries between 3.30 and 5.30 pm.
Bowood’s ever-popular Adventure Playground has been enhanced with a new water play area in The Den. Designed for younger visitors, the space features interactive water channels and hands on elements that encourage sensory play. The water play area also offers a welcome way to cool down on warm days, complementing the Estate’s well-known pirate ship, aerial walkways, and zip wires.
This summer there is a new exhibition in Bowood House – ‘1776: Secrets, Spies and theAmerican Revolution.’ This marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and explores Lord Shelbourne’s links with America. Lord Shelburne, owner of Bowood in the 18th century, played a pivotal diplomatic role during his lifetime. Visitors can discover the role of diplomacy, secret correspondence, and invisible ink, as well as the significance of the Treaty of Paris and its impact on Lord Shelburne’s career at the exhibition.
Within the Walled Garden, Bowood’s gardeners have created a new Dry Garden. The area focuses on drought tolerant planting suited to dry, sun-exposed conditions. It showcases a selection of plants including salvias, agapanthus, achilleas, echinaceas, grasses, and succulents. The Dry Garden forms part of Bowood’s approach to test plant varieties in response to changing climate conditions. In the garden studio there is an exhibition featuring botanical illustrations by The Bath Society of Botanical Artists which captures plants from Bowood’s own collection.
Visitors can alos follow the new Arboretum Tree Trail and discover 24 significant trees across the grounds including a number of rare and champion specimens. Informative labels along the route share fascinating facts about each tree, encouraging guests to look more closely at Bowood’s historic and diverse collection.
During August the Summer Adventures programme takes place. The The activities provide supervised, skills-based experiences designed for different age groups. There’s mini driving experiences Mini Rovers Driving, hosted by Mini Rovers. The activity runs on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30thAugust and is suitable for children aged 4-10 years. Tickets are £10 per child.
Aspiring athletes take aim with Archery sessions, hosted by Aim on the Plain. Children get to take part in archery-style target practice and try a new skill in a safe, supervised outdoor setting. 30-minute sessions are available to book between 11am and 4pm on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th August 2026. Tickets are £5 per child.
Outdoor Wall Climbing, hosted by Wiltshire Outdoor Learning, gives children the chance to take part in supervised climbing challenges on a purpose-built outdoor wall. 30-minute sessions are available to book between 11am and 4pm on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August 2026. Tickets are £5 per person.
Outdoor Exploration, hosted by Mud & Guts is giving hands-on activities to encourage children to explore the great outdoors through den building, fire lighting, games, and nature-based learning in a fun and educational environment. Two three-hour sessions run each Tuesday from 4th August to Tuesday 25th August 2026. Tickets are £22.50 and activities are suitable for children aged 6-10 years.
The family-friendly Wiltshire Game & Country Fair features live displays, activities including fishing and axe throwing, craft stalls, and fairground rides. It takes place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August 2026, with tickets priced at £25 for adults, £24 for over 65s, and £8 for children aged 5–15 years.
Classic Ibiza, an open-air concert takes place on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July 2026 and features the Urban Soul Orchestra performing iconic house music alongside DJs and live vocalists. Tickets are £57.50 for general admission, £30.00 for children aged 5–12, and free for under 5s.
There is an open air production of an adaptation of The Great Gatsby which captures the glamour of the roaring twenties with live music. The show takes place on Saturday 1st August 2026. Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £16.50 for over 65s and children aged 5–16. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, chairs, or blankets for both theatre performances.
There are a series of talks led by Bowood’s curator, Dr Lizzie Rogers, held at Bowood House. Marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence, these sessions explore the stories and global significance of the period. Dr Lizzie also explores how the Revolution affected the career of Bowood House & Gardens’ first proprietor, Lord Shelburne. Tickets are £8.50 for adults and £7.50 for seniors aged over 60. The talks run from Friday 3rd July to Saturday 19th September 2026.
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