Things to do at Townend

The fire is lit in the kitchen at Townend, Lake District — See the carved wooden kitchen furniture and well worn flagstones in the Downhouse at Townend | © National Trust Images/Rob Talbot

Townend is an atmospheric farmhouse 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.

What can I see at Townend?

You can explore the house on your own, with staff and volunteers available to answer any questions. For a more in-depth experience, book the daily 3pm guided tour.

Book a tour

Hidden Treasures of the National Trust

We’re one of the places in episode 2, series three of BBC Two’s Hidden Treasures of the National Trust. Discover how volume five of our archive was conserved and enjoy snippets of everyday life from 'young' Ben Browne's letters from London.

Events and tour at Townend

Discover the tales of Townend on our daily 45-minute guided tour. Led by knowledgeable volunteers, these small-group tours offer exclusive access and a deeper dive into Townend's fascinating history.

General history tour on Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursdays focus on food, while Fridays highlight the library collection.

Tickets go on sale two weeks in advance. No extra charge, included with admission.

Book your tour
Join us every Thursday for the 'Taste of Townend' experience. Our living history team recreates 17th-century recipes from the Browne family cookbook. Chat with a volunteer in period costume at the Downhouse about these historic dishes (for display only).

Three years before marrying 'Old' Ben Browne, Elizabeth Birkett compiled a 57-page book with recipes for food, medicine, and household cleaning. This book highlights sophisticated tastes alongside rural traditions and superstitions.

Thursday's, 12-3pm (last entry 2.30pm). Self-led, no booking needed.

For a more indepth experience book on to the 'Taste of Townend' tour, every Thursday at 3pm. Booking essential.

'Taste of Townend' is included with admission.

The Downhouse

This room was the working heart of Townend. Huge thick floor flagstones are worn around the edges from centuries of being walked on by the busy Brownes and their servants. There is a big fireplace and hanging from the ceiling are iron pots and pans used for cooking meals. It features an early example of a ‘fitted kitchen’. The array of wooden boxes, shelves and cupboards were fitted by the last George Browne at the end of the 19century and he is responsible for the carved details on the panels. There is a meat loft located behind and above the fireplace, where cuts of mutton and beef were hung to preserve them.

There is historic food on display that is made by our living history team every Thursday between 12-3pm as part of the ‘Taste of Townend’ experience.

Safety notice

Please note that we do have real food in the rooms containing nuts and flour. The food is for display only, and can't be eaten.

Fire House

This heavily panelled 17th century room is the oldest part of the house. For centuries family and servants, farm hands and boarders gathered around the big table to eat drink and socialise. The wood carving work of the last George Browne can be seen in this room on bookcases and armchair.

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. You can find out more on the Friday tour, which delves into the library and books. Book your tour ticket in advance.

Bedrooms

Climb the solid oak staircase and you’ll find the main bedrooms. The State bedroom was used for guests including Beatrix Potter who used to visit Clara Browne. Clara was the daughter of the last George Browe and the last member of the family to live in the house.

The linen closet in the Blue Bedroom is where Lucy Browne’s silk wedding dress is displayed. At the other end of the bedroom next to a large window is a cosy space that was formerly used as an office.

The furniture and fittings in the main bedroom are decorated with George Browne’s carvings. One of the striking features of the room is how the floor slopes steeply up from the door. Take a look at the legs of the furniture in this room, to see bespoke alterations. The large oil painting shows the last George Browne aged eight.

The servants bedrooms are accessed from the Downhouse. More modestly furnished this is where the maids and housekeeper would have slept. The right-hand maid’s room also provdes access into the Downhouse meat loft.

Townend image gallery

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

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

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?

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

Food history brought to life

The weekly Taste of Townend experience 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. Every Thursday at 3pm there's a bookable tour at Townend that focuses on food.

1 of 5

The garden and wildlife

Townend’s small informal cottage-style garden has splashes of colour across the year from snowdrops, primroses, tulips and hydrangeas. It’s 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.

Bank Barn

Townend Farm bank barn is over the road from the main farmhouse. One of the earliest bank barns in the UK, it was built by George Browne in 1666 and it’s still in use today by the farmer. The barn has a traditional spinning gallery. We have replaced the worn handrails and support beams for the deck of the gallery floor. This was part of a project to restore nine historic barns across the Lakes, with help from a Defra Farming in a Protected Landscape grant managed by Lake District National Park Authority. The barn is not open to the public, but you can see it from the garden, or on the approach from the car park.

Things for families to do at Townend

We have a two of illustrated guides for children so they can 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. During school holidays there are usually traditional games like hoopla in the courtyard.

Arrive on foot

Combining a walk in the valley with a visit to Townend makes for a great day out. Starting at Brockhole, where there is a bus stop and a non-National Trust pay and display car park, the Townend and Troutbeck Valley circular walk takes you through classic Lakeland scenery, farmland and architecture.

Refreshments at the Old Post Office Tea Room

We don't have a café at Townend, but just down the road is The Old Post Office Tea Room. It's a lovely spot for a hot drink and light bite. They offer free WiFi and are dog-friendly. The tea room is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.