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Changes at Bowhill for 2025
As we step into a new season at Bowhill, we’re pleased to share that the three ways to experience this special place remain unchanged for 2025:
The House, the Grounds & Adventure Playground, and the wider Borders Estate.
This spring marks the final stage of our driveway improvements, bringing a landscaped one-way system, a brand-new General’s Bridge Car Park, additional tree planting, and the installation of new gates at the visitor entrance.
What Does This Mean For You?
- During our open season, entry will be managed via the kiosk as usual. Season open dates and entry prices can be found here.
- Outside of the open season, when Bowhill is closed to the general public, the gates will be closed to vehicles. Visitors at these times can park in the General’s Bridge Car Park (parking charge applies), located just opposite the kiosk.
- Annual Pass Holders will enjoy year-round access to the Grounds and main car park via the vehicle gates, which will open with vehicle registration technology as well as the physical Annual Pass card.
Annual Pass Benefits
For those who love Bowhill in every season, an Annual Pass offers year-round access to the Grounds – even when the main gates are closed. With our new system in place, your physical pass will open the gates, allowing you to drive through to the main car park beside the House and enjoy endless time exploring the estate.
A few key things to note:
- On event days, an additional paid ticket will be required.
- This year, rather than renewing, all visitors will need to purchase a new Annual Pass, as we’ve introduced an upgraded system.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Bowhill throughout 2025! Annual Passes available soon.
Where to Park at Bowhill
Open Google MapsPark here for access to the wider Estate’s trails and walks outside of the open season, when the gates are closed to vehicles and you do not have an Annual Pass for entry.
£3 parking charge.
Open all year round.
Pay on the day / Pay in advance online
This Car Park will be accessible during the open season as normal. Out side of the open season when the gates are closed, visitors with an Annual Pass will still be able to access this car park using vehicle registration technology, meaning more opportunities to enjoy seasonal walks around the Grounds of Bowhill.
Note – there will be no other facilities available outside the open season.
Frequently Asked Questions
The gates are designed to enhance the safety and security of those visiting and living and working on the estate. There will be continued access for all those who live and work on the estate and visitors who have purchased an annual pass.
Over the last two years we have welcomed more and more visitors to the estate but, unfortunately, not everyone has accessed the area responsibly. Buccleuch wish to maintain the estate so that it may be enjoyed by everyone and the gates, which will enhance security, will help with this.
Visitors can enjoy Bowhill House and Grounds and Borders Estate in a way that works for them; those wishing to visit Bowhill House and Grounds, adventure playground and landscaped walks and those who prefer walking the wider estate have options open to them.
We want Bowhill to be enjoyed by all who visit and to ensure this, we have to charge for entry so that we may maintain the upkeep of the estate and ensure that those visiting are not doing so in a way that is detrimental to others within our community or damaging our natural environment. Visitors to Bowhill House and Grounds have been charged for entry for many years.
Visitors can enjoy Bowhill House and Grounds and Borders Estate in a way that works for them; those wishing to visit the Bowhill House Grounds, adventure playground and landscaped walks and those who prefer walking the wider estate have options open to them.
The charge at Bowhill is not a car parking charge but includes access to the grounds and it is paid on a per person basis, Entry is charged to help pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the estate and to ensure that those visiting are not doing so in a way that is detrimental to others within our community or damaging our natural environment.
Don’t worry, a member of our team will direct you to alternative car parking if you do not wish to pay or are only looking to walk the wider Borders Estate.
The charge at Bowhill is not a car parking charge but includes access to the grounds and, as such, there is no blue badge exemption. We do, however, have preferential spaces clearly marked.
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