Things to do at Townend

The fire is lit in the kitchen at Townend — Visitors are welcomed by a warm fire in the winter months at Townend | © National Trust Images / Rob Talbot

Townend is an atmospheric farmhouse and garden in the village of Troutbeck in the Lake District. Discover the fascinating stories of the Browne family as you explore their library and its unique chapbook collection, see recipes brought to life from their own recipe book, and spot woodcarvings created by George Browne. The house gives us a real understanding of everyday life in the 17th century.

Guided tours

To find out more about the tales of Townend, book onto one of our daily guided tours starting at 3pm. Led by one of the volunteers and lasting approximately 45 minutes, the tours offer exclusive access in a small group and a chance to delve deeper into Townend's fascinating history. There is focus on food on a Thursday and the collection in the library on a Friday.

Townend General History Tour - Tuesday and Wednesday
Taste of Townend Tour - Thursday
Books and Library Tour - Friday

*Tickets go on sale two weeks in advance.*

Book your tour

Food history

Every Thursday between 12–3pm our living history team recreate food from the Browne's family recipe book which dates back to the 17th century. As part of this 'Taste of Townend' experience one of our volunteers in period costume will be in the downhouse to chat about the recipes. The food created is for display only and sadly can’t be tasted.

In a small but distinctive hand, Elizabeth Birkett (the wife of Benjamin Browne senior) filled a 57-page commonplace book with 80 medicinal and cookery recipes including meaty mince pies, bean cakes and macaroons, and a further 25 household recipes. The book reveals sophisticated tastes set against a backdrop of rural tradition and superstition.

You can read a full transcription of the book online.

Safety notice

Please note that although the food isn't to be eaten, we do have real food on display containing nuts and flour.

Taste of Townend image gallery

Discover the fascinating recipes for delicious meals and cures for ailments written in the Browne family recipe book.

A woman in period costume creating food on a table in an old farmhouse kitchen — The Taste of Townend event takes a closer look at the 17th century recipes found in the Browne family recipe book. | © National Trust

Taste of Townend food history demonstration

The weekly Taste of Townend event takes a closer look at the 17th century recipes found in the Browne family recipe book. Between 12–2.30pm see food history brought to life by one of our team in costume.

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Examine the unusual furniture and wood carvings

George Browne was an enthusiastic woodcarver and the furniture at Townend tells the story of his fascination with local, traditional woodcarvings, and his more exotic inspirations. His more unusual designs stand out, for example the rather exotic-looking clock cases in the Firehouse and the mermaids supporting the fireplace in the State Bedroom.

He also had a sense of humour; can you spot the row of smiling faces in the fireplace in the main bedroom or the pair of feet sticking out of a long case clock?

Library

Townend library is made up of around 1,500 books which cover many topics from novels and poetry to farming, religion, law, medicine and current affairs. The books have tell-tale physical signs of being well used by the family (and in many cases their neighbours too), and we can see evidence of oil from finger marks and corners turned over.

There are also 45 entirely unique books: ones that have not survived anywhere else in the world. Some of these are slightly bawdy chapbooks.

Letters from London

Delve into the Townend archive collection in this display. Explore snippets of Ben Browne’s life in the 1700’s, following his relocation from the Lake District to London, captured in letters sent to his father ‘Old Ben’ over a 20-year period. The volume of letters has been beautifully conserved prior to going on display in the house.

Look out for Townend Barn

Townend boasts one of the earliest bank barns in Cumbria. It's still used today by the farmer for lambing and keeping sheep. While it's not open to the public, you can see it from the garden, or on the approach from the car park.

Detail of the carved fire surround in the state bedroom at Townend, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Fun for families at Townend

We have a couple of illustrated guides to help children explore the stories of the Browne family as they look around the farmhouse, there’s one for young children and one for slightly older kids too. If you would like to borrow one for your visit just ask a member of the team when you arrive.

The cottage garden is great place to spend time as a family, just relaxing in the sunshine, doing some bird spotting or playing our traditional games in the courtyard.

Wildlife

The courtyard at Townend is a great place to spot garden birds. Take a seat overlooking the bird table to observe the comings and goings of nuthatches, blue tits and robins. Buzzards can be seen wheeling overhead riding air thermals on bright sunny days. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a little owl during the day or listen out for the haunting cry of a tawny owl in the winter twilight. On cooler days, the smell of woodsmoke on the air signals the change of season.

Make a full day of it

Combining a walk in the valley with a trip to Townend makes for a great Lakeland day out. Download our Townend and Troutbeck Valley walk to uncover classic Lakeland scenery, farmland and architecture on this beautiful circular walk from Brockhole, near Lake Windermere, up into the Troutbeck Valley and to the charming and unique 17th-century farmhouse, Townend. On the way you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding fells and Lake Windermere, diverse wildlife and some charming local architecture.

Townend and Troutbeck Valley walk

Visit the Old Post Office Tea Room

We don’t have a café here at Townend, however The Old Post Office Tea Room (not NT) is just down the road and well worth a visit for delicious brews alongside freshly made paninis, sandwiches and home made soup, delicious cakes and ice-cream. They have free WiFi and are dog friendly.

The tea room is open daily 10am – 4pm, except on Tuesday and Wednesday.