Active autumn start at Bowhill

15th September, 2015

This month’s calendar at Bowhill House and Country Estate is crammed with activities and events to keep the whole family entertained as autumn kicks in.

With the Estate now open six days a week (excluding Tuesdays) from 10am until 4pm during the week and 10am until 5pm at weekends, there is plenty of time to enjoy all it has to offer.

The Estate’s preparation for Hallowe’en begins early with Bowhill’s traditional Harvest Festival, from 11am until 4pm on Sunday 27^th September. This year’s unique heritage theme celebrates this year’s Borders Heritage Festival.

With Scarecrow competitions offering two £50 prizes – one for individuals and families and one for large groups such as Brownies, Scouts and schools – and plenty of family entertainment, it’s the ideal way to start the autumn.

This event is included in the Estate entry fee of £4.50 per adult and £3.50 for concessions, with under-threes going free. Family tickets for two adults and two children are available for £14.00. The deadline for the entry forms is Saturday 26^th of September at 12pm and all Scarecrows must be dropped off by 3pm the same day.

As part of the Borders Heritage Festival, Bowhill House will open its doors off-season for tours at 1pm and 2.30pm on 10^th, 24^th and 27^th September, with booking recommended.

Rugby fans and aficionados still have time to enjoy Bowhill’s unique exhibition celebrating the life of Bill McLaren – ‘The Voice of Rugby’ ­– which marks the 200^th anniversary of a popular and historic hand-ball match, The Carterhaugh Ba’ Game.

The exhibition features memorabilia of Bill’s during the course of his five-decade commenting for the BBC, including five of his famous ‘Big Sheets’ containing Bill’s handwritten notes, facts, figures and personal information unknown to the public, created in preparation for his match commentary.

This exhibition is open every day apart from Tuesdays, from 10pm until 4 pm in the foyer of the Bowhill Theatre.

Youngsters have only a few more chances to experience Nutty’s Little Squirrel Club, which has been running since April this year giving kids under six a taste of the fascinating woodland that surrounds the Estate with the help of Bowhill’s experienced rangers.

The club is on from 1.30pm until 2.30pm every Wednesday (excluding 9^th September) and features explorer walks and stories for Little Squirrels (who must be accompanied by an adult). Price per child is £2.50.

And time is running out for families who wish to learn about conservation and wildlife, with the Family Ranger Club, running between 11am and 1pm every Sunday until the end of September.

Engaging activities include building birdhouses, pond-dipping, bird and wildlife surveying and constructing homes for bats. Tickets cost £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for children, with family tickets for two adults and two children priced at £8.00.

Those who enjoy brisk autumn walks are in luck, with Dusk Walks around the Estate showing Bowhill’s wildlife – from bats and owls to elusive otters – in the most natural way from 7.30pm on 2^nd, 9^th and 16^th September.

Tickets for these enchanting events are £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for children aged under 16, with family tickets for two adults and two children are available for £8.00.

The once monthly Secret Stroll for those who wish to get under the skin and explore the hidden corners of the Estate, hear about the fascinating Bowhill history and experience unseen paths and secret passages will take place on Saturday 26^th September.

This one-off costs £3.00 per adult and £2.00 per child under 16. Family tickets for two adults and two children are available for £8.00.

To secure your place at any of the clubs, walks or events, please call 01750 22204 or email info@bowhillhouse.co.uk. Visit www.bowhillhouse.co.uk for more information on ticket prices and to see full details of what’s on at Bowhill this season.