Towneley Hall in Burnley- one of the best things to do in Burnley
Image credit: robert wade, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of Burnley’s top attractions is Towneley Hall. Not only does the Grade I listed building have a rich and interesting history, but it also offers locals and visitors plenty of things to do. Here is an overview of the history of Towneley Hall in Burnley and some of the reasons to visit the attraction.

The History of Towneley Hall in Burnley, Lancashire

As the name of the hall suggests, it was the home of the Towneley family from around 1200. In addition to the 445 acres surrounding the hall, the family also owned extensive estates in Lancashire and also owned estates in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The hall passed down the male lineage of the family until the male line died out in 1878. It then passed to one of the daughters, Lady O’Hagan, who sold the house and some of the land to Burnley Corporation in 1901 for £17,600. The Heritage Lottery Fund granted £2.1 million for a major reprogramme and restoration of the hall and park between 2005 and 2011.

Towneley Hall is a Grade I listed building due to its historical and architectural significance. The hall’s interesting architectural features include turrets, stonework, and a chapel with a carved altar.

Things to Do at Towneley Hall in Burnley, Lancashire

Towneley Hall is one of the best things to do in Burnley, so it is hardly surprising that it is one of the town’s most visited attractions. The main attraction at Towneley Hall is the hall itself, as visitors go to see the architecture and the museum and art exhibitions that lie within. However, there are other attractions within the grounds of the hall. These include:

  • Golf courses
  • Playing fields
  • A café
  • Events space
  • A working farm called Towneley Farm
  • 24 acres of broadleaf woodland
  • Events throughout the year

Although the hall grounds are always open, the museum is only open from 12 noon to 5 pm every day except Fridays. You can learn more about the attraction, the opening times, and any events on the website: https://towneley.org.uk/

The Art Collections

Now, one of Towneley Hall’s most popular features is its art collections, attracting thousands of visitors yearly. The paintings in the collection include important Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian artworks by artists including Zoffany, Alma-Tadema, Waterhouse, and Burne-Jones. It also has watercolours by local artist Noel H. Leaver and Turner.

Additionally, there are collections of other antique items, including The Whalley Abbey vestments, Lancashire furniture, a natural history exhibit, decorative arts, textiles, an Egyptology display, artefacts relating to the Towneley family, and an exhibit about social and military history.

Is Towneley Hall Haunted?

There are plenty of supposedly haunted buildings in Lancashire, including Hackensall Hall in Knott-End-On Sea, Borwick Hall in Carnforth, and Mercure Dunkennhalgh Hotel in Blackburn. Many people also question whether Towneley Hall in Burnley is a haunted building.

According to local folklore, the hall is haunted by a boggart linked to Sir John Towneley. In life, Towneley reportedly repressed the lives of the poor locally. It is said that the boggart appears once every seven years, and it previously appeared just before the death of a resident. There are also reports of a ghostly apparition appearing along the River Calder within the grounds of Towneley Hall.

Have you visited Towneley Hall in Burnley, Lancashire? Let us know about your experiences in the comments section below. You might also like to check out our list of the best hotels in Burnley where you can stay during your visit to Burnley. We stayed at The Oaks hotel, which is just down the road.