Townend

About

Townend is a cosy farmhouse near Windermere brimming with character. Once home to the Browne family, who lived in the house for over 400 years, the house is now open to the public and full of original objects from the Browne’s time here.

The last George Browne to live at Townend was a sheep and dairy farmer, gardener and keen wood carver. His passion for the craft is shown throughout the house in the intricately carved furniture, and it is this that gives the house much of its charm and adds to the interesting history – George often added years to a piece by putting older dates and initials on his designs to make them look more old-fashioned and to blend them in with the other furniture in the house.
 
The house itself is a traditional Lake District stone and slate farmhouse with round chimneys. A quaint cottage garden is planted with many of the plants and trees that George loved, including fruit trees, roses and phloxes.
 
Once inside, you are welcomed into the farmhouse kitchen with a real fire and a quirky collection of domestic tools. Exploring further, you can discover fascinating stories in each room, pieces of art by local artist William Longmire and find out why the collection of books belonging to the Brownes is of international importance.
 
2023 marks the 75th anniversary of Townend being formally opened by the National Trust in 1948. To celebrate we have a new exhibition, Treasures of Townend in the picture room. The exhibition highlights interesting pieces from the Townend collection, including objects that have never been seen before, including George Browne’s furniture designs, and a Herdwick carpet hand woven in Troutbeck.

Visit on a Thursday if you would like to see traditional recipes from the Brownes’ family recipe book being recreated in the kitchen.

Find out more about Townend: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/townend

House is largely inaccessible for those with limited mobility. No access for coaches as all roads width restricted.