Blackburn Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History

    Blackburn has been a centre for weaving since the 13th century and this business boomed during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, making it one of the world’s first industrial towns. In the mid 19th century it became known as the “weaving capital of the world” and had around 79,405 looms in operation. This industry went into decline in the mid-20th century. I...Read moret took a long time for the area to recover. Read less

  • 1: History

    Blackburn has been a centre for weaving since the 13th century and this business boomed during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, making it one of the world’s first industrial towns. In the mid 19th century it became known as the “weaving capital of the world” and had around 79,405 looms in operation. This industry went into decline in the mid-20th century. It...Read more took a long time for the area to recover. Read less

  • 2. Now

    A huge regeneration project is ongoing in the town. Over the next few years, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is hoping over £400m will be invested into the town centre to improve public spaces, the train station and shopping and business facilities. Blackburn Rovers is the town’s football team and plays a big role in the life of thousands of its residents. Regular hig...Read moreh profile fixtures take place at the club’s ground Ewood Park. Blackburn College provides further education for more than 20,000 students and is the biggest of its kind in east Lancashire. Read less

  • 2: Now

    A huge regeneration project is ongoing in the town. Over the next few years, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is hoping over £400m will be invested into the town centre to improve public spaces, the train station and shopping and business facilities. Blackburn Rovers is the town’s football team and plays a big role in the life of thousands of its residents. Regular high...Read more profile fixtures take place at the club’s ground Ewood Park. Blackburn College provides further education for more than 20,000 students and is the biggest of its kind in east Lancashire. Read less

  • 3. Events

    A huge parade is held in the town centre every January to celebrate the birth of the prophet Mohammed. Thousands of people line the streets to watch and join in the procession and many visitors travel from across the region to take part. The Fantastic Food Show is held in Blackburn in May and includes a chance to sample local produce, take part in workshops, taste adventures f...Read moreor children and celebrity chef demonstrations in a cookery theatre. Blackburn and Darwen Comedy Festival takes place in November and includes performances from big names on the comedy scene. Events take place in King Georges Hall, Darwen Library Theatre and Thwaites Empire Theatre. Read less

  • 3: Events

    A huge parade is held in the town centre every January to celebrate the birth of the prophet Mohammed. Thousands of people line the streets to watch and join in the procession and many visitors travel from across the region to take part. The Fantastic Food Show is held in Blackburn in May and includes a chance to sample local produce, take part in workshops, taste adventures fo...Read morer children and celebrity chef demonstrations in a cookery theatre. Blackburn and Darwen Comedy Festival takes place in November and includes performances from big names on the comedy scene. Events take place in King Georges Hall, Darwen Library Theatre and Thwaites Empire Theatre. Read less

  • 4. Attractions

    Blackburn Cathedral is open daily to visitors in the morning and evening. A selection of guided tours are available and there is a café/restaurant and gift shop on site. Blackburn Museum houses collections of art, social history artefacts, manuscripts, books and coins, and tells visitors about the history of the region. Turton Tower, on the outskirts of Blackburn, is a Tudor...Read more building containing period furniture and paintings from the Tudor and Victorian periods. The Waves Water Fun Centre includes a lagoon pool, an alien space bowl water feature, a shipwreck slide, jacuzzi, wave machine and more. Read less

  • 4: Attractions

    Blackburn Cathedral is open daily to visitors in the morning and evening. A selection of guided tours are available and there is a café/restaurant and gift shop on site. Blackburn Museum houses collections of art, social history artefacts, manuscripts, books and coins, and tells visitors about the history of the region. Turton Tower, on the outskirts of Blackburn, is a Tudor b...Read moreuilding containing period furniture and paintings from the Tudor and Victorian periods. The Waves Water Fun Centre includes a lagoon pool, an alien space bowl water feature, a shipwreck slide, jacuzzi, wave machine and more. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do

    The Audley Sports Centre contains a large sports hall, gym, community hall and children’s centre. The Blackburn Rovers Sports Arena has a four-court sports hall and fitness gym. Shadworth Leisure Centre has squash courts, aerobics studio, gym and more. Swimming is available at the Daisyfield Pools, which includes a large pool and a training pool. Darwen Leisure Centre includ...Read morees a 25m pool, teaching pool, gym, fitness studio, sports hall and more. Other sporting facilities include the Blackburn Ice Arena and the Bowlplex 10-pin bowling alley. The Rover’s Experience is a tour of the Blackburn Rovers Stadium, and includes a look behind the scenes at Ewood Park. The borough is surrounded by stunning countryside, offering facilities for activities such as walking and cycling. Big parks to enjoy include Corporation Park, with bowling greens, children’s playground and lake, and Wilton Country Park, with picnic spots, nature trails, adventure playground and visitor centre. Read less

  • 5: Things To Do

    The Audley Sports Centre contains a large sports hall, gym, community hall and children’s centre. The Blackburn Rovers Sports Arena has a four-court sports hall and fitness gym. Shadworth Leisure Centre has squash courts, aerobics studio, gym and more. Swimming is available at the Daisyfield Pools, which includes a large pool and a training pool. Darwen Leisure Centre include...Read mores a 25m pool, teaching pool, gym, fitness studio, sports hall and more. Other sporting facilities include the Blackburn Ice Arena and the Bowlplex 10-pin bowling alley. The Rover’s Experience is a tour of the Blackburn Rovers Stadium, and includes a look behind the scenes at Ewood Park. Read less

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Blackburn Events

  • 01 May 2013 - 31 May 2013

    Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance

    Adults and children are given a chance to show off their talents during the annual Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance. The festival, which has been taking place since 1946, is run entirely by volunteers in an aim to give local people a chance to compete in th

  • 01 October 2012 - 31 October 2012

    Woodland Festival

    The annual Woodland Festival takes place in Towneley Park in October and is organised by Burnley Council. The festival is free to attend and celebrates the outdoors with a range of woodland-themed activities and entertainment. Events are aimed at people of all ages and

  • 01 August 2013 - 31 August 2013

    Towneley Live

    Towneley Live is a one-day pop festival held in Towneley Park in August.The event, organised by promotion company Livewyre, is a huge, family friendly concert of the UK’s finest pop acts. It attracts crowds of more than 12,000 people. Famous names to have appeared on

  • 01 May 2013 - 31 May 2013

    Fantastic Food Show

    Everything edible is celebrated at the annual Fantastic Food Show. This one-day event in May is held at Blackburn Rovers ground Ewood Park, in Nuttall Street, and aims to be ‘more than a food festival or food market’. The event is organised by Michelin star chef Nig

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