***Advertisement – Please note I received gifted entry for my family in exchange for this review, all words and opinions are my own.***
Bowood House and Gardens in Wiltshire is just over an hour from our home on the outskirts of Bristol. It is one of those places I have wanted to visit for a long time but hadn’t got round to going. In all honesty one thing that worried me was knowing how big & popular the play area is. So when I was invited to the early opening session it sounded perfect.
Early Opening
Communication and sensory differences means both my boys struggle with busy places. It is also very hard to go somewhere new and unfamiliar. Any opportunity to visit at a quiet time really makes a difference for us especially when going for the first time.
On the first Saturday of every month, Bowood opens the Adventure Playground, The Den and Treehouse Café an hour earlier at 9.30am to visitors with additional needs or hidden disabilities. Bowood House and Gardens has seasonal opening up until 3rd November in 2024.
Our visit (September 2024) was on a grey day after lots of rain so the photos don’t do it justice but what a stunning place to visit. Even the drive up through the grounds was lovely, a great start to the day.
Staff were ready and waiting to welcome us as we arrived. As it was quiet we encountered a few staff members about and all were really friendly, helpful and very welcoming.
Any questions about the early opening you can contact the team here – houseandgardens@bowood.org
Adventure Playground
Out top priority was the playground so we spent all our time in the early opening here. There were 2-3 other families there for the early opening but it wasn’t the best weather so it could be busier on sunnier days. The Playground is really impressive, the Pirate ship is beautiful, my youngest ran straight for it and my eldest loved climbing up the crows nest!
There are lots of aerial walkways, high ropes and slides and the boys had the best time. It was great to see how confident they were and nice to chat to the other parents whilst we all nervously watch our kids up high. Having space to themselves really helps my boys to feel comfortable and I know the other families felt the same as we all commented on how great it was.
They loved climbing, going on the boat swings and jumping on the inflatable pillows. There is also a kiosk so my friend & I could grab a coffee (they also had snacks and ice creams). There was staff in the park and kiosk – again all really helpful and friendly.
The main play area is designed for 12 and under, there is a separate area for under 7’s which looked just as fun and other areas such as the Activity Barn designed for younger children although this is not part of the early opening.
The Arboretum, Lake & Parkland
A gorgeous landscape, we walked through the stunning trees. There is a tree trail which I will be back to do again when the kids are in less of a hurry to see everything! The walk around the lake is lovely with views over to the Folly.
There were some great caves to explore near the fantastic waterfall which may have been at its best after a wet night.
House & Terrace
The kids didn’t want to go in the house so my friend went on to explore the exhibits whilst we took to the terrace gardens. I am looking forward to coming back to explore the house (maybe without the kids) to learn more about its history. Did you know Oxygen was discovered at Bowood!
I highly recommend Bowood House and Gardens and the early opening is a perfect way for families like ours to visit. I am certain my youngest will be asking to go back to the pirate ship again soon!
Have you been to Bowood House and Gardens or the early opening before? How did you get on? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
