About

Bowhill House, the Scottish Borders home of the Duke of Buccleuch, is open to visitors at Easter, bank holidays, daily in July and on other selected dates. Groups can visit year round by appointment. Bowhill is also an educational resource for scholars of all ages, and there is a small 72 seat theatre converted from the old Victorian game larder, which programmes a range of shows throughout the year. The Estate is open from Easter to end September (please check our opening times for details). There are a range of activities and attractions within the Estate including gardens, an Adventure Playground, waymarked walking routes, a Tearoom selling home-made goodies, Soft Play and Gift Shop specialising in local products. Bowhill provides a wonderful day out for all the family and has special events on most weeks during the open season from Ranger activities to guided walks and Land Rover tours. Our admission policy admits the necessary companion or carer of a visitor with access requirements free of charge, while the normal admission fee applies to the visitor.

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Disabled Access Information Provided by Bowhill House & Country Estate

Disabled Access at Bowhill House & Country Estate

Disabled parking on tarmac from approximately 90 metres from the courtyard (where toilets, shop, tearoom, theatre, soft play etc) are found. There are ramps to the office, shop, theatre area, the toilets are on ground level and the tearoom has a small at the entrance. The ‘Beautiful Bowhill’ guided tour is all on one level with the exception of one room, the Old Chapel which is accessed by 4 steps with a hand rail. 1 wheelchair is available to borrow and portable stools are also available. The narrowest door in the House is 900mm. In Bowhill theatre seating is available on floor level or there are steps up to more seating (with a hand rail). Lighting is quite dim within the Theatre. A hearing loop system is in operation The Adventure Playground at Bowhill has a range of play equipment for different ages and abilities, including slides and climbing equipment. There is a Spider/Bucket Swing and also musical equipment, suitable for all. The ground covering in the playground is woodchip. Bowhill has 4 way marked walks of varying lengths and difficulties. You can read more about each of these on the Walking and Hiking Routes section of our website. The first half of the Loch’s walk around the top/upper loch is suitable for pushchairs, but has uneven parts with tree roots, muddy areas, etc. Nearly half of the walk is on a tarmacked estate road with beautiful views of the Loch and House. It does have a long steep hill on the return (which you go down to start the walk). There are a few benches for seating and some picnic benches along the walks. Bowhill gardens can be accessed from either side via gravel paths with a set of stone stairs joining the path. Immediately in front of the House the ground is level, with a few benches available for seating. The gardens descend in a series of terraces towards the loch.

Accessible parking at Bowhill House & Country Estate

The main roads at Bowhill are tarmac. However, the surface in the main public car park is uneven with loose stones/gravel. Shortest distance from Courtyard is approximately 102 metres. The surface of the accessible car park (at the entrance to Bowhill House) is tarmac with loose gravel in some areas. Please note that some staff and also the Duke, Duchess and their family also use this car park. Shortest distance from Courtyard is approximately 90 metres. There is automatic lighting activated by sensor to this area when it is dark.

Dedicated on site parking

Toilets features at Bowhill House & Country Estate

Our toilets are located in the main Courtyard area. The gents toilet and the accessible toilet is accessed on the ground level. The accessible toilet also has baby changing facilities. There are some steps up to the ladies and other baby changing facility. The toilets are fitted with non-slip flooring.

Accessible toilet

A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements is available within the main public areas.