Welcome to The Bowood Estate, Home of The Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne

Bowood has been the Lansdowne family home since 1754. After the Second World War, the Estate’s future hung in the balance. The “Big House” was derelict and full of dry rot. Most of the Estate cottages were unmodernised. The 8th Marquis took the courageous decision to demolish the “Big House" leaving what visitors see today - a beautifully proportioned Georgian house, in the centre of “the most beautiful park in England”. In 1975 his son, the present Marquis, opened the house and grounds to the public. Three years later, he restored the derelict stables and grooms’ quarters to create a sculpture gallery, exhibition rooms, restaurant and shop. Over the past thirty years, a policy of diversification has been assiduously pursued to reflect the changing social and financial landscape. Assets have been harnessed and developed to support and protect the house and oasis which forms Capability Brown’s parkland. All who work here take great pride in developing and protecting such an outstanding enterprise. We hope you will visit us. Your enjoyment of Bowood makes our work worthwhile.