Why visit
It gives families a mix of playground time, estate walks, and optional house touring rather than forcing the whole day around interiors.
Before you go
At a glance
Opening times, tickets, address, parking, and the main practical details for planning your visit.
Opening times
Grounds and Adventure Playground open on selected 2026 dates, generally 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Victorian Home tours run on selected August dates at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Tickets
Grounds and Adventure Playground day tickets: Adult £8, Child £6, Under 3s free. Victorian Home tour: Adult £17, Child £8.50.
Address
Bowhill House, Selkirk, Scottish Borders TD7 5ET
Postcode
TD7 5ET
Parking
The main family visit uses the estate parking by the playground and cafe, while General's Bridge car park for estate walks is £3.
Last entry
Grounds opening dates vary through the year, and Victorian Home tours run only on selected August dates at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Visit length
Half day to full day
Entry type
Grounds and Adventure Playground tickets, with separate Victorian Home tour tickets
Official source
Official website
Planning shortcut
Plan this visit faster
The key trip-planning answers families usually want before committing to the day.
Best for
Families in the Borders who want outdoor space and play first, with house access as an optional extra on selected dates.
How long to spend
Plan anything from half a day to most of the day depending on whether you are using the playground only, adding longer walks, or joining a house tour.
Trip overview
About this location
The main reasons families add this stop to a Scotland itinerary.
Bowhill works best as a flexible play-and-walk day rather than a house-first heritage visit. The adventure playground and estate space are what make it parent-friendly, while the Victorian Home tours only run on selected dates, so it helps to decide which version of the visit you actually want before you travel.
Magnificent Border mansion with adventure playground, woodland walks, and mountain bike trails. The house contains an impressive art collection while the estate offers outdoor activities for all abilities. Perfect combination of stately home visit and active outdoor adventure.
On-site practicals
Facilities and amenities
Useful facilities families often check before visiting.
Tearoom
Gift shop
Adventure playground
Parking
Toilets
Family planning
Parent tips
Extra context to make the visit smoother.
Most families will get more value from a grounds-and-play day than from treating this as a house-only stop. Check the exact public opening dates before you travel because the grounds, events, and house tours all run on different patterns. General's Bridge car park is £3 for estate walks, while the main family visit centres on the adventure playground and cafe.
Visual preview
Photos
A quick look at the setting before you visit.
Community notes
Reviews
What families are saying.