Bag a bargain at Bowes Museum’s festive mart on December 17 and 18

THE Bowes Museum’s well established Christmas Market takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 17 and 18.
The event, which takes place from 10am to 4pm each day, offers quality produce from some of the finest suppliers in the area, including cheese, breads, cakes, preserves, Durham Gin, local beers, chocolates, gourmet scotch eggs, whisky sauce, speciality hot chocolates and real coffee.
There are craft stalls, locally made jewellery, upcycled furniture, wreaths, hand-painted clothing, ceramic and glass art, toys and leather goods.
Entertainment abounds, with popular group No Added Sugar along with a festive repertoire from Barnard Castle Band and the Andreas Ensemble. Smooth Radio will be on site all weekend, providing festive music and offering gift wrapping masterclasses to make that present look extra special.
New for this year will be the Icicle Queen stilt walkers, who illuminate as dusk falls.
Inside the museum, Santa will welcome children to his grotto from 10am to 12.30pm and again from 1.30pm to 4pm. Admission to the grotto is £5 per child (accompanying adult free), to include a gift.
There will also be complementary Christmas craft activities taking place, where children must be accompanied by an adult.
The park and ride Santa buses will leave GlaxoSmithKline car park, in Harmire Road, for the museum at regular intervals each day, starting about 9.45am.
It costs £2.50 to attend the market and the admission charge will be collected from each adult boarding the bus, or at the front gate for pedestrians and cars parking on site.
This includes entry to the market and the museum, including the current exhibitions and displays.
Disabled drivers unable to use the park and ride will remain eligible to park free of charge in the museum grounds, on production of their Blue Badge. As parking is limited, others wishing to park on site at the museum will be charged £5 per vehicle in addition to the £2.50 cover charge per person.
Visitors should note that there will be no access to the market via the rear gate in Crook Lane.
Event co-ordinator Rosie Bradford said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Christmas Market.
“We have some exciting new traders in addition to our wonderful regulars, all offering a fun and friendly shopping experience.”
She added: “With sparkling new exhibitions and jolly seasonal music, it’s a truly magical day to lift everyone’s Christmas spirit.”