Over 40 years ago the Society was formed to stimulate interest in Towneley Hall and gardens. Known locally as "the jewel in Burnley's crown".

The Society meets regularly at the Hall and members enjoy a programme of interesting talks, film shows and live entertainment. Throughout the year we go on organised visits to places of historical interest. Previous trips out have included Astley Hall, Stoneyhurst College, the Tiffany glass collection at Howarth Art Gallery, Whalley Abbey, the Japanese Garden at Eastby.

Fundraising is an important part of our work. We support Towneley Hall's official programme of events and assist at social functions. Additional monies are raised through the Society’s collecting box at the Hall and by the sale of various interesting gift items at the well stocked shop. Our funds have been used to purchase many items for Towneley Hall including a sundial, security equipment, an oak coffer and a significant contribution towards the John Towneley portrait.

In the nine years to 31st March 2011, the Society has provided over £112,000 in gifts to the Hall, (including the Ashcroft legacy).

Please support our society so that our work can continue. Your subscription is both necessary and welcome.

Of interest..... »

Next Meeting : CHARTER OF INCORPORATION a talk by Local Historian Roger Frost about the development of Local Government in Burnley from the Middle Age
Monday, November 14th 2011 at 1.30pm at the Hall
Towneley Hall - change of telephone number
The new telephone number for the Hall is 01282 477130
Please use this number from 24 Novenber 2011
Latest Newsletter »
November 2011
Archive>> In February 2004, an opportunity arose for the Hall to acquire a pastel of John Towneley by the celebrated French portraitist Jean-Baptiste Perronneau. This portrait, which once graced the the Long Gallery, had a price tag of £79,000. After negotiations, a sale to the Hall was agreed at £49,000 with a deadline of 30 days. Financial commitments were secured from the National Art Collectors´ Fund, The Victoria & Albert Museum and the Edward Stocks Massey Bequest. There was still a shortfall of £11,000. The Society launched an appeal where local organisations and people gave generously. The Society made up the shortfall and the purchase was secured.

The Towneley heritage

Notable Lancashire families

UK Attractions

Visit Towneley Hall

Burnley Borough Council

Towneley

Friends of Towneley Park

Towneley Hall

In 1878, with the death of the last male heir, Towneley Hall and one sixth of the Towneley estates passed to Alice Mary Towneley, Lady O´Hagan. Then in 1901, Lady O´Hagan, unable to support the Hall herself, sold it together with sixty two acres of parkland to Burnley Corporation for the nominal sum of £17,500.

The Hall was opened as an Art Gallery and Museum in 1903. It is managed by the Art Galleries and Museums section of Burnley Borough Council’s Green Spaces and Amenities.

Visitors are welcome to look around period rooms such as the chapel, kitchen, long gallery as well as collections of paintings, furniture, ceramics and glass and displays of local history.

There is a programme of temporary exhibitions from Easter to Autumn each year. A separate National History Centre and a Museum of Local Crafts and Industries are located in the extensive grounds.

Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 3RQ
Telephone (01282) 424213

Purchases & Donations 2010-11

Geoff Butterworth´s "Virgin Snow" watercolour

Joint purchase with 3 local Rotary Clubs.... Image awaited...

Towneley Flag purchased

Our Society has purchsed flags for the Hall since 2000

Conservation of Watercolours

. . . . | Our March 2011 visit| . . . .

A fascinating visit to Lancashire Conservation Studios, Preston was a great success

Friends Of Towneley Park (FOTP)

Fitness Equipment set up in the park

FOTP have set up equipment for the public to use. It's in the park on the old school site. Photo by Burnley Express

Society Information »

Committee Members

2011-2012

Sir Simon Towneley - Patron
Colin Sanderson - President
Tony Mitchell - Chairman
Rita Walsh - Hon. Secretary
Peter Woodhead - Hon. treasurer
Louise Chesbrough - Member
John Hagan - Member
Michael Hewitt - Member
Pauline Roberts- Member
Cynthia Sanderson - Member

AIMS of Towneley Hall Society

The Towneley Hall Society was formed in 1965 to help stimulate interest in the Hall and to protect, preserve and enhance the amenities of the Hall and gardens.

If we are to retain the Hall and Park for the benefit and enjoyment of local residents and visitors to the area, the Society’s aims are just as important now as they were in 1965.

The Society meets, usually on the third Monday of each month, from September to May at the Hall for a programme of lectures, film shows etc. Visits are arranged to other places of interest during the summer.

The programme also includes social events that help raise money to provide amenities for the Hall. In addition, funds are raised through the Society’s collecting box at the Hall and by the sale of various gift items at the Reception Desk.

|| Annual Membership is still only £12.50 ||

A painting from the gallery

Funding Towneley

Towneley Park is Burnley’s most visited and treasured park across East Lancashire. Only Pendle Hill is more visited. Events attract over 20,000 visitors a year to the park.

The restoration project has taken several years to obtain final approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund. An initial restoration plan which identified over 100 proposals to improve the park was published in 2001 following which the council submitted a bid for funding. In March 2004 the council obtained outline approval and has spent the last year working up the restoration proposals in greater detail and developing a 10-year management and maintenance plan for the park.

The restoration plans have been developed following careful research into the history of Towneley Park by landscape restoration experts and project staff have consulted park users from across the borough and worked closely with the Friends of Towneley Park in drawing up the restoration plan.