Towneley Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Towneley Hall |
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Towneley Hall from the front
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| Location | Burnley, Lancashire |
| Area | 180 hectares |
| Architect | Various including Wyattville |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Towneley Hall | |
| Designated | 10 November 1951 |
| Reference no. | 1247299 (Hall) |
| Official name: Ice house at Towneley Hall | |
| Reference no. | 1005089 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Towneley Hall | |
| Designated | 1 April 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1000954 (Park and Garden) |
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Towneley Park is a huge and popular park in Burnley, Lancashire, England. It's managed by the Burnley Borough Council. The park covers about 180 hectares (445 acres). At one end of the park, you'll find Towneley Hall. This is a very old and important building that is now an art gallery and museum. The park also has golf courses, playing fields, and beautiful woodlands. There's even a working farm called Towneley Farm nearby.
Contents
History of Towneley Park
The Towneley Family Home
Towneley Hall was the home of the Towneley family for a very long time. They lived there starting around the year 1200. This family owned a lot of land in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Becoming a Public Park
The last male member of the Towneley family passed away in 1878. In 1901, one of the daughters, Lady O'Hagan, sold the hall. She sold it along with 62 acres of land to Burnley Corporation. This was a local government group. The price was £17,600. The family moved out in March 1902.
Park Restoration Efforts
Between 2005 and 2011, Towneley Park received a lot of help. The Heritage Lottery Fund gave £2.1 million. This money helped to restore and improve the park. The park itself is also a Grade II listed site.
Towneley Hall: A Historic Building
What is Towneley Hall?
Towneley Hall is a very important building. It is listed as a Grade I building. This means it's considered to be of exceptional interest.
Inside the Hall
The hall has many interesting things to see. It holds special 15th-century vestments from Whalley Abbey. These are special robes worn by priests. The hall also has its own chapel. Inside the chapel, you can see a beautifully carved altarpiece. This piece of art was made in Antwerp around 1525.
Art and Nature Collections
Art Gallery Highlights
The art gallery at Towneley Hall has many important artworks. You can see pieces by famous Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite artists. These include Burne-Jones, Waterhouse, and Alma-Tadema. There are also watercolours by Turner and local artist Noel H. Leaver.
Other Collections
Besides art, the hall has other collections. You can find old Lancashire furniture. There are also natural history displays. These show local plants and animals. The museum also shares stories about the Towneley family's history. This includes their role in local social and military events.
Local Nature Reserve
The Deer Pond in Towneley Park is a special place. It is a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's protected for its wildlife and natural beauty.
Local Traditions and Folklore
The Towneley Boggart
According to old stories, Towneley Hall was once haunted. People believed a spirit called a "boggart" lived there. This boggart was said to appear every seven years. It would show up just before someone living in the hall passed away.
Sir John Towneley's Legend
The boggart was linked to a person named 'Sir John Towneley'. Legend says he was not kind to the poor people in the area. Later stories also talk about a strange white ghost. This ghost is said to appear near the River Calder.
Gallery
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An example of the woodland sculptures
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Hall from the southwest
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Foldys cross
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Towneley Cenotaph
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Burnley
- Richard Towneley
- Charles Townley
