TOWN HEAD ESTATE

Town Head Estate, which hugs the southern tip of Windermere, originally dates back to the 1400s. It was substantially remodelled in the 1800s when it was bought as a hunting lodge by the High Sheriff of Lancashire. It then remained in the same family for some 200 years before the Estate, like a great Sleeping Beauty and in need of restoration, was bought by the Cox family in 2019.

Like every good fairy tale, Town Head has played host to a colourful cast of characters over the years, who have found the tranquillity of the Lake and the beautiful parkland a welcome retreat. Author Arthur Ransome, who wrote the children’s adventure story “Swallows and Amazons” fished here as a family guest while John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter were also regular visitors. In fact, Beatrix Potter bought a beautiful black pig from Town Head, which went onto feature as Pig-wig in the tale of Pigling Bland, and she presented the Estate’s then owners with a carved ivory pig which remains in their collection to this day. Perhaps most intriguing is the story that, as a much photographed young royal, Princess Margaret visited Town Head on many occasions, where the absence of any public rights of way over the Estate enabled her to walk around undisturbed with just one bodyguard and a gin and tonic for company.

In 2019 the property was bought by the current owners, with the aim of lovingly restoring the Estate to its former glory in order to open the doors to offer you the most beautiful and unique wedding destination in the Lake District.

With your wedding at Town Head, you will be staying in the heart of one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. Why not spend a few extra days and take time to go out walking or cycling. If watersports is more your thing, then you are able to organise kayaking or paddle boarding right from your doorstep.

Getting to Town Head couldn’t be easier. We are just a 20 minute drive from Junction 36 of the M6. For those travelling by train, Oxenholme Station is a similar distance and about 2 hours 40 minutes from London. Newby Bridge is a mile away, providing a wealth of hotel accommodation.

The popular tourist destination of Bowness-on-Windermere is also just a 10 minute drive up the Lake with a host of independent shops, restaurants, cafes and guest accommodation.

Should your guests wish to drive to the venue, one of our paddocks has been newly landscaped to provide ample parking facilities. Alternatively, there are local transport companies who are able to shuttle your guests to and from their hotels.

Categories: Venues, Riverside venues