Towneley Hall in Burnley cares for a historic art gallery and museum

Few towns can claim a historic house and parkland quite like Burnley's Towneley. Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum stands within one of Lancashire's best-loved parks, and for many local families it is a place of school trips, Sunday walks and summer picnics.

The hall houses art and museum collections that tell the story of the house and the wider area, and it is recognised by organisations including Art Fund and Historic Houses. Visit Lancashire lists it among the county's notable things to do.

In recent years the building has needed some serious care. The hall closed on 17 June 2025 for essential repairs, part of a wider effort to protect the historic fabric of the house for the future.

One of the most striking parts of the restoration story concerns the Great Hall. It has been returned to its original 1720s decoration scheme, giving visitors a chance to see the room much as it would have looked three centuries ago.

Towneley has also been a venue for contemporary creativity. It has taken part in the British Textile Biennial, the festival celebrating textiles across Pennine Lancashire, and it has hosted touring exhibitions such as The Mares Tale, a nursery rhyme show featuring work by five contemporary artists.

The grounds are just as much part of the experience. In May 2025 the hall's lawn hosted Bill's Teddy Bear's Picnic, a free family event, and the park is a lively setting for events and open weekends through the year.

Places like Towneley are a reminder of how much heritage East Lancashire holds. Its mix of historic rooms, collections and open parkland makes it a cornerstone of Burnley's cultural life, and the care being invested in the building should help it serve the town for many years to come.

Opening arrangements and admission details can change during repair work, so check the official Towneley website or Visit Lancashire before you travel. The surrounding park is a lovely place to explore whatever the season.