Book your tour
Please note we recommend booking tickets for tours at Townend. You can book for today up until 8am. Every Thursday time slots will be available for the next 14 days.
Townend
Atmospheric farmhouse full of quirky objects and fascinating stories
Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LB
Important notice
Townend is now closed. We will re open for a Victorian Christmas 6,13 and 20th December. 10am-3pm. No pre-booking needed for entry and no guided tours over December.
Opening times for 2 December 2023
Asset Opening time House Closed House (Guided tour) Closed Advanced booking recommended for guided tours.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £9.00 Child £4.50 Family £22.50 1 adult, 2 children £13.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Car park
Small car park. Designated mobility car park spaces and drop-off point.
Toilet
Baby changing facilities are available in the toilets.
Guided tour
Guided tours at 3pm each day, lasting approximately 45 minutes, these will be themed and allow you exclusive access in a small group of up to 10 people. Tickets can be booked online.
Designated mobility car park spaces and drop-off point. Access to cottage garden via a steep slope. Many small steps in the house, including a step at the entrance
Designated parking
Designated accessible car park space in the car park.
Steps/uneven terrain
Access to the cottage garden is via a steep slope and there are many small steps in the house, including a step at the entrance.
By road
off A591 or A592
Parking: free, 300 yards. Not suitable for coaches or campervans
By train
Windermere 2½ miles
By bus
services from Windermere train station, alight Troutbeck Bridge, 1½ miles
By bicycle
Planning your visit
Article
Booking your visit to Townend
Plan your visit to Townend and book your guided tour. Read this article to find out everything you need to know.
Article
Visiting Townend with your dog
Visit Townend with your four-legged friend. Find out where you can and can't take your dog and discover some recommended walking routes.
Highlights
Farmhouse
Seventeenth-century farmhouse and home to the Browne family for 400 years. Full of intricately carved furniture and rare books.
Garden
Informal, cosy, cottage style garden.
Library
The library contains the family’s well-used collection of books, including 45 that are the only remaining copies in the world.
Bank barn
One of the earliest bank barns in Cumbria. The barn is still in agricultural use, it's not open to the public, but you can see it from the garden.
Spotlight events
A Victorian Christmas at Townend, Wednesdays 6, 13 & 20 December, 10am-3pm
Step back in time with Townend's Victorian Christmas. Explore the house by candle light and experience how the 400 year old house would have looked during the late 1800s. Our Victorian cooking demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day. Pick up a 12 Days of Christmas trail sheet when you arrive to learn more about the history of one of this holidays most iconic carols. Free as part of normal admission, booking not required.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do at Townend
Townend is full of fascinating stories. Step back in time to the 17th century and learn more about the Browne family and their lives.
Article
Things to do in Troutbeck
Troutbeck is an unusual collection of hamlets that make up a unique village in the Lake District. What will you discover?
Top trails
Trail
Ambleside to Troutbeck walk
From Ambleside go on a circular discovery walk through country lanes, woods and fields. Along the way enjoy views of Lake Windermere, visit Troutbeck village and Townend farmhouse, and climb up to Wansfell Pike for great views of the fells.
Trail
Townend and Troutbeck Valley walk
A 4-mile circular walk through classic Lake District scenery from Brockhole near Lake Windermere, through Troutbeck Valley to Townend, a 17th-century farmhouse.
Trail
Windermere to Townend walk
Discover the area around Townend, a 17th-century farmhouse a stone's throw from Lake Windermere.
Trail
Wansfell from Troutbeck walk
A challenging circular trail along old tracks and fields to the top of Wansfell, with outstanding views over Windermere and Ambleside.
Places to stay
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
High Strawberry Gardens
This comfortable lakeside retreat on the west shore of Windermere has its own jetty directly outside the cottage.
Upcoming events
About Townend
The Brownes of Townend in the Troutbeck Valley were just an ordinary farming family: but their home and belongings bring to life more than 400 years of extraordinary stories. As you approach Townend - a traditional Lake District stone and slate farmhouse, you'll understand why Beatrix Potter described Troutbeck Valley as her favourite.
Once inside, you are welcomed into the farmhouse kitchen with a real fire - burning most afternoons - and a quirky collection of domestic tools. Throughout the house, intricately carved furniture provides a window into the personality of George Browne. The library contains the family’s well-used collection of books, including 45 that are the only remaining copies in the world. Outside, the colourful cottage-style garden is a lovely place to while away some time among the flowers.
Please note that althought the food isn't to be eaten, we do have real food on display containing nuts and flour.
History
Article
History of Townend
Just who were the Browne family? Discover more about the Townend farmhouse, the family who lived here and their position in society.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Townend.