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

  • 1. History

    Burnley has been a centre for making textiles since the Middle Ages. The Weavers’ Triangle is the name for the area by the canal that was once at the heart of the town’s textile industry. The Leeds to Liverpool canal, which runs through Burnley, was built between 1770 and 1816 and there is plenty of history to be discovered along its route.

  • 2. Now

    An area of the Weavers’ Triangle at Burnley Wharf has been restored, and old warehouse buildings are now used as an inn, offices and the Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre. Burnley town centre is undergoing major transformation and work includes a new gateway, new public space, paved public walkways, street furniture, landscaping and lighting. Burnley Football Club plays a ...Read morebig role in town life and attracts thousands of supporters to fixtures at its home ground Turf Moor. Read less

  • 3. Events

    Burnley May Day Festival has been taking place in the town since the May bank holiday was established in 1978. The festivities take place in Towneley Park. Towneley Live is Burnley’s new music festival, which takes place in Towneley Park over one day in August. The day includes a full line-up of pop acts. A huge Classic Car Show takes place in Towneley Park on a Sunday in J...Read moreuly and is organised by the Rotary Club of Burnley. The Woodland Festival is an annual weekend celebration in Towneley Park. The event includes fun and entertainment and plenty of outdoor activities. Read less

  • 4. Attractions

    The Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre, at Burnley Wharf, tells visitors the story of the canal and the cotton industry in the area. This attraction includes a Victorian schoolroom and weaver’s dwelling, the restored Burnley Toll Office where tolls were paid for the Leeds and Liverpool canal, fun trails and quizzes for children and a model fairground. Visitors can see an ori...Read moreginal mill engine in action at the Oak Mount Mill. The engine house and chimney date back to 1887. Queen Street Mill is believed to be the last steam powered weaving mill in the world. This attraction also caters for children with a variety of special activities and the interactive Zoom on a Loom Room. Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum is a country house situated in a large park. There is an art gallery, museum-style displays and period rooms ranging from an Elizabethan Long Gallery to a Victorian Kitchen. Gawthorpe Hall is a 17th century country house that gives visitors an insight into Victorian life. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do

    Burnley is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Burnley Forest includes bridleways, cycle routes, footpaths and sculpture trails, while Crown Point offers fantastic views over the town. There is plenty of water to be enjoyed in and around Burnley. Visitors can take a walk or boat along its section of the Leeds to Liverpool canal, take a walk along the river or enjoy waters...Read moreports such as windsurfing and sailing on the reservoirs. Evening tours are available of the Moorhouses Brewery, which brews many award winning beers. Burnley Miniature Railway is situated in the town’s Thompson Park and runs on Sundays, Bank Holidays and during special event days. Read less

  • 6. Business

    Charter Walk Shopping Centre is a large shopping centre at the heart of the town, housing many high street stores. Burnley Market is located on the first floor of the Charter Walk shopping centre and includes the Market Hall and the Open Market. Market Hall includes over 100 stalls selling everything from food to fashion. The Open Market also houses over 100 stalls and these v...Read moreary from day to day. A bric-a-brac market is held on Wednesdays. Burnley is home to many engineering, advanced manufacturing and aerospace companies, with Aircelle Ltd being a huge employer in the town. Read less

  • 7. Transport

    The M65 runs through Burnley and the town can be accessed from junctions 10 and 11 of the motorway. The A671, A682 and A646 are the other main roads into the town. Burnley Central Station has good rail services to Preston, Blackpool and Colne, while Burnley Manchester Road Station has trains to York and Blackpool. The nearest airport to Burnley is Leeds Bradford Internationa...Read morel Airport, which is about 24 miles from the town. Manchester Airport is about 31 miles away, Blackpool International Airport is 33 miles away and Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 41 miles away. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment

    Burnley Mechanics Theatre is the main venue in the town for live entertainment and its programme includes a mix of music, comedy, dance, drama and more. Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, in nearby Colne, is a venue for music, theatre and more.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks

    The Straight Mile is the name given to the famous stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool canal, which runs 60ft above the town of Burnley. The Straight Mile is an embankment built between 1796 and 1801 to carry the canal across the valley. It is often referred to as one of the "seven wonders" of the British Waterway System.

  • 10. Interesting Fact

    The Singing Ringing Tree is a musical sculpture situated at Crown Point, above the town. The construction is made from metal pipes that make a humming sound when the wind blows. They have been specially tuned so that they do not disturb the wildlife.

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Burnley Events

  • 01 July 2013 - 31 July 2013

    Witton Weavers Way Walking and Cycling Festival

    Residents are encouraged to get outside with the annual Witton Weavers Way Walking and Cycling Festival. The festival is organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council over four days in July in an aim to encourage people to explore the countryside and take part in o

  • 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 May 2013 - 31 May 2013

    Burnley May Day Festival

    A huge May Day Festival is held every year in Burnley’s Towneley Park. This community event has been taking place since the May bank holiday was first established in 1978. A major element of the day’s festivities is a parade, which starts at Burnley Town Hall and en

  • 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

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