The Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum has an attractive programme of permanent and temporary displays and exhibitions, interpretation and educational events, special events, family activities and outreach work.

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Activities & Mission

The Bowes Museum has an attractive programme of permanent and temporary displays and exhibitions, interpretation and educational events, special events, family activities and outreach work.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Local Authority

Durham

Financial Information

Latest Income

£3,860,226

Latest Expenditure

£3,546,199

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 60.6%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 12% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 3130). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 66.0%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 8% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 34.0%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 7% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £349,975

Charitable Activities £1,299,881

Other Trading £2,029,759

Investments £180,611

Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £2,339,962

Raising Funds £1,206,237

Governance £0

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£3,860,226	£3,546,199	£2,339,962	£14,421,626	£286,604	82 / 95
2024	£4,312,215	£3,306,053	£2,161,703	£14,151,857	£573,479	81 / 90
2023	£2,214,893	£2,498,950	£1,519,605	£13,132,819	£593,938	77 / 49
2022	£2,988,885	£2,653,493	£1,817,669	£13,870,248	£860,527	68 / 25
2021	£2,085,666	£1,911,096	£1,309,707	£13,105,621	£386,654	86 / 90

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Bowes Museum

What does The Bowes Museum do?

The Bowes Museum has an attractive programme of permanent and temporary displays and exhibitions, interpretation and educational events, special events, family activities and outreach work.

How much income did The Bowes Museum report in 2025?

The Bowes Museum reported total income of £3.86m and reported expenditure of £3.55m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Bowes Museum?

The Bowes Museum has a program ratio of 60.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 12% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 3130 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Bowes Museum registered as a charity?

The Bowes Museum was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 1 March 2000 as charity number 1079639. It has been registered for 26 years.

Who runs The Bowes Museum?

The Bowes Museum is governed by a board of 14 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Bowes Museum operate?

The Bowes Museum operates in Durham, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The Bowes Museum a registered charity?

Yes — The Bowes Museum is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1079639.