Burnley. Townley Hall

The sun was shining but the temperature had barely risen above zero degrees C as we set off on our park walk.

This photo of Townley Hall is a copy from my computer and was obviously taken during the summer. The Hall is now owned and managed by Burnley Borough Council and is an Art Gallery and Museum set in 284 acres of parkland. The first Hall was built in 1380 and was a large barn-like medieval building. 70 years later the huge south wing was built. Most of the present Hall dates from the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries. There is a Gothic Chapel in the Hall, built by Sir John Townley in the early 16th century but moved to it's present location using the original materials, when the wing in which it was originally situated was demolished. Like many other northern landed families, the Townleys held onto their Catholic faith and supported the Royalist Cause during the Civil War. Charles Townley, born 1600, inherited the estate in 1635 following the death of his brother. He was killed in the battle of Marston Moor. His gt grandson, Richard Townley was arrested for treason following the battle of Preston. He was acquitted, but his initial arrest suggests he supported the Catholic Stuart Jacobites. His brothers, John and Francis were involved in the battle of Culloden Field (1645). John escaped to France, but Francis was captured at the siege of Carlisle and was hung, drawn and quartered for treason.

       The servicemen on this War Memorial look down on three of our modern day hero's

                                                     Offshoots Permaculture Site.

                                  He could look very scary on a dark night.

                            The sun's rays have not yet reached this side of the park.

                              Brew time with a little warmth from the winter sun.

                                      On our way back towards the Hall.

    A delightful place to stop for our dinner. There was an abundance of ducks and sea birds.

       

       

After dinner we made our way to find what else there was of interest in the park and came across the path to the sculpture trail.

                                         And we came across Woody Woodpecker.                          

                                                             The Enchanted Wood.

                                                            A Wood Nymph

                                                                 And Tangle-wood                                                  

A robin was busily eating the bird food on this seat, but as usual, as soon as i pointed my camera at it, off it fluttered. grrr

This Plaque was attached to the base of an ancient stone cross,
The End. Thanks Anthony.