Turton Tower
Grade I listed manor house near Bolton, built around a 15th-century pele tower, with period rooms, a café and gardens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Turton Tower grew from a stone pele tower built probably in the early 15th century. In 1420 it passed to the Orrell family, who rebuilt it. In 1628 they sold it to Humphrey Chetham, the Manchester merchant who founded Chetham’s Library, and his heirs leased it to tenant farmers. In the 1590s the tower had been raised and given an upper storey with large mullioned windows.
The house was sold in poor condition in 1835 to James Kay, who restored it and gave it a Victorian look, including a Dutch gable on the front. Later tenants included a calico manufacturer’s family. Sir Lees Knowles bought the property in 1903, and after his death in 1929 his widow gave it to Turton Urban District Council in 1930.
It later came under Lancashire County Museums Service and now belongs to Blackburn with Darwen Council, supported by a charitable trust. The tower is Grade I listed and a scheduled ancient monument. Its nine rooms over three floors hold antique furniture, paintings and other objects, including loans from the Victoria and Albert Museum and from museums in Lancashire and Manchester, and the grounds include gardens and woodland.
Highlights
- 15th-century pele tower with Tudor timber-framed additions
- Nine period rooms over three floors with antique furniture and paintings
- Morning Room with an Arts and Crafts fireplace and a drawing room with oak panelling
- Guided or self-led tours of the tower
- Woodland café in the original kitchen, gardens and kitchen garden
Permanent exhibition
- The tower rooms – Nine rooms over three floors with antique furniture, paintings and objects, including the Morning Room and the Drawing Room.
- Operated by
- Blackburn with Darwen Council
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Playground / play area
The grounds have a woodland play area and space for family picnics.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car parking is available at the tower; coaches are welcome.
Amenities & dining
- Café
The Woodland Cafe is in the original kitchen of the tower, overlooking the Victorian tennis court area and the gardens.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors can take a guided or self-led tour of the rooms. |
