Townend

Important notice -

Taste of Townend is cancelled this Thursday 25 October. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Atmospheric farmhouse full of quirky objects and fascinating stories

More about this place

Little girl in wellies, holding a stick and playing among the autumn leaves

Townend's half-term autumn nature trail 

You’ll find plenty of tools to be a nature explorer at Townend and complete our autumn nature trail this half-term. Discover cosy hideaways and dark retreats, and go in search of the feed that our animals eat.

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Townend

Things to see and do

The original firestove at Townend
The cottage garden alive with colour at Townend
Troutbeck valley

Discover this 17th century farmhouse 

Explore a quirky farmhouse with an even quirkier family at Townend. Potter around prize-winning plants in the cottage garden or follow our walking trails that lead to beautiful views of Lake Windermere.

Troublesome weeds and prize-winning pansies 

The cottage style garden at Townend is a re-creation of the garden of the last Browne family member - George Browne - to live at Townend.

The secluded charm of Troutbeck Village 

"There was always the company of gentle sheep, and wild flowers, and singing waters." This is what Beatrix Potter said about Troutbeck and she was spot on!

Townend in Troutbeck Village

Ambleside to Troutbeck and back via Wansfell 

A discovery walk from Ambleside to Troutbeck along tracks and lanes through woods and fields with views from Wansfell Pike.

A view of Townend, Cumbria from the front gate

Wander through the Troutbeck Valley 

Explore the Troutbeck Valley on this circular walk that reaches the fringes of world-famous Lake Windermere.

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Townend

What's on

Volunteer at Townend in Cumbria

New for 2018 - Life at Townend talks 

Townend in 1700 was a lively and prosperous house for Ben Browne, his family and servants. Come find out more about everyday life in the early 1700s, based on original source documents from the family archive.

The cradle at Townend in Troutbeck

Guided tours at Townend 

Want to find out how you can 'burn a candle at both ends' and how the crafty chambermaid outwitted the rich merchant? Then join one of our tours, every open day at 11am and 12 noon. Places are limited, first come first served.

A woman cooking in the kitchen at Townend

A taste of Townend 

The Brownes’ family recipe book is full of great recipes, from meaty mince pies and macaroons to medicines dating back to the 17th century. Pop in for an afternoon of cooking where we’ll recreate some of the recipes.

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Townend

History

An 'upcycled' wardrobe chest in the Housekeeper's room at Townend

Conserving and re-displaying Lucy Browne's wedding dress

Over the winter of 2017/18 we worked on cleaning and re-displaying Lucy Browne's silk 1832 wedding dress. this was naturally a very fragile piece and has had some natural damage over the years from light and atmospheric pollutants. Here you can see the process we took to clean and re-display it in a way which will give the dress the best possible support and environment for the future.

Woman in costume reading a book in the Townend library
A boy and woman looking at woodcarvings in Townend
Farm buildings at Townend

Social climbing, saucy stories and sheep 

Townend library is made up of around 1,500 books which cover many diverse topics. Find out more about the physical evidence they contain, such as greasy finger marks and corners turned over.

Wonderful woodcarvings and cheeky cheating 

George Browne spent many years decorating the old furniture at Townend. He created a very early 'fitted kitchen' and made a bookcase look 200 years older than it really was.

An historic barn 

Townend boasts one of the earliest - and still in working order - bank barns in Cumbria. It's still used today by the farmer for lambing and keeping sheep.

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Townend

Get involved

Volunteer at Townend in Cumbria

Volunteer at Townend 

Townend is full of quirky objects and fascinating stories, we’re looking for volunteers to help us bring these stories to life. If you are enthusiastic, enjoy meeting people and working as part of a team, then why not give it a try? We are looking for Room Guides.

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Townend

Art and collections

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Townend on the National Trust Collections website

Search the collections
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