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 July 2013 - 31 July 2013

    Classic Car Show

    The annual Classic Car Show takes place in Towneley Park on one Sunday in July. This event is organised by the Rotary Club of Burnley and has been taking place in the town since 1984. The show is a fun-packed family day out which also raises money for charity. It is fre

  • 01 January 2013 - 31 January 2013

    Procession for Prophet Mohammed

    Thousands of people pour out onto the streets of Blackburn every January to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. Residents and visitors line the streets in the town centre for the event, which includes a huge procession. The celebration has been taking place in

  • 01 October 2012 - 01 December 2012

    Blackburn and Darwen Comedy Festival

    It is a bundle of laughs at the annual Blackburn and Darwen Comedy Festival. Big names from the world of comedy turn up to take part in this event, which takes place in a variety of venues across Blackburn and Darwen during October and November. Shows take place at thre

  • 01 August 2013 - 31 August 2013

    The Great British R&B Festival

    The Great British R&B Festival takes place in nearby Colne every August and is an award-winning event. The festival was the winner in the British Blues Festival category of the 2011 British Blues Awards. The festival has been taking place since 1989 and runs for fou

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