Hall & Parkland

Towneley Hall Museum and Art Gallery is set within 445 acres of beautiful parkland, providing all the ingredients for a fun, educational and adventurous day out. The Hall and surrounding grounds were purchased from the Towneley family by Burnley Corporation in 1902 and has since become affectionately known as ‘the jewel in Burnley’s crown’. 

Inside the Hall you will discover displays of decorative and fine art, natural history, Egyptology, local history and textiles. The historic rooms, which are filled with fabulous examples of 17th century regional furniture, will transport you back in time to when the Hall was a home. Whilst exploring the Hall, the Towneley Mouse Trail will delight visitors both young and old.

The Museum of Local Crafts and Industries, which is housed in the former brew house behind the main Hall, is filled with objects representing Burnley’s key trades such as clogging, ironmongery, and weaving. Here you will also see examples of locally made domestic equipment and a bar stocked with bottles from Massey’s Brewery.

The Shop at Towneley is a great place to find gifts and treats. With a range of affordable toys and books, unique jewellery, prints and cards, and locally made beer, gin and coffee, you are sure to find those perfect presents.

Towneley Galleries and Exhibitions

Towneley Hall cares for one of the best collections of Victorian oil paintings in the North West. In the Art Gallery you can see paintings by artists such as John William Waterhouse, Laurence Alma-Tadema, Margaret Deborah Cookesley, Edward Burne-Jones and Joseph Farquharson.

Towneley Hall also has an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, visit the What’s On page to plan your next visit.

Towneley Park and Grounds

Towneley Park is the largest and only dog-friendly park in Burnley. With woodland walks, formal gardens, a children’s play area, golf course, and historic features, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

The park has a long history as a private estate, with much of its current landscape the result of work carried out in the late 18th Century by Charles Towneley. In July 2005 the Heritage Lottery Fund granted £2 million to help fund a major programme of restoration works in the park.

Places of historic interest include Folds Cross, the icehouse and the Cenotaph. There are different trails and walks to enjoy, including a woodland fairy sculpture trail. There is an abundance of nature and you might even spot the occasional dragon!

Towneley Garden Centre provides some retail therapy and their café, together with Parklife Café and The Rotunda are great places to rest and refresh.

Family Friendly Events

Towneley hosts an array of family- friendly events including a classic car show, the Burnley 10k run, the popular Woodland Festival. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest news and events.