Towneley Hall, Medieval house museum in Burnley, England
Towneley Hall is a stone building from the 14th century with rooms showing different periods of English design, filled with oil paintings, sculptures, and architectural details. The interiors combine original features from various eras with carefully chosen collections.
The building started as a structure from 1380, with a substantial stone south wing added roughly 70 years later as the family prospered. These early additions formed the foundation for what became an important family residence.
The rooms display Lancashire oak furniture, Pilkington pottery, and vestments from nearby Whalley Abbey, showing how the family connected with local craftspeople and the region's religious life over time.
The hall is easily reached by public transport and located near Burnley's centre. Visitors should allow time to explore the different rooms, as each space contains varied collections and offers different perspectives on the building's history.
The entrance hall features baroque plasterwork from 1726 made by Francesco Vassalli, bringing Italian baroque elements into the design. This decoration reveals the artistic ambitions of the family and shows what skilled craftspeople they could attract through their travel connections.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
