Towneley Hall, Burnley

Client

Burnley Council appointed BWD Limited to support the interpretation and refurbishment works at Towneley Hall, one of the region’s most important historic houses and a landmark within Burnley’s heritage landscape. The interpretation design (telling the story of Towneley Hall) forms part of the Hall’s £4.56m repair and restoration work. The Grade I listed hall, which has been a museum and gallery since 1903 and houses nationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. The Council sought to refresh how the building and its collections are presented to the public, ensuring the stories of Towneley Hall and its former occupants could be shared in engaging and accessible ways for both local communities and visitors.

The Project

BWD worked in partnership with the client team to research, design, and deliver the new interpretation and display solutions throughout key areas of the Hall. Our approach has respected the Grade I listed status of the building, carefully considering the balance between conservation and visitor engagement. We developed a suite of interpretive graphics, displays, and signage that complemented the historic interiors while improving visitor circulation and understanding of the collections. All materials, colour palettes, and finishes were selected to harmonise with the Hall’s unique character and to support the telling of its layered history.

Outcomes

The completed scheme has revitalised how Towneley Hall shares its history, with new interpretation elements that are both visually engaging and sensitive to the historic setting. Visitors now encounter displays that bring the history of the Towneley family, the art collections, and the Hall’s place in Burnley’s story to life. The work has enhanced visitor flow, created more accessible interpretation, and provided a consistent design language across spaces. Delivered in close collaboration with Burnley Council, the project highlights BWD’s ability to combine creative design with heritage sensitivity, ensuring Towneley Hall continues to inspire future generations.