Burnley brings together landscaped parkland and a historic hall with industrial heritage, a canal walk and cultural attractions. When choosing accommodation, you can first consider whether your main interests are heritage, walking, events or football. The city’s places and attractions each offer a different focus.
Parkland and heritage
Towneley Park covers 180 hectares of landscaped parkland around Towneley Hall and the museum. The hall offers its own historical focus: the listed building is Grade I, the highest category of protection in the UK, and served as a family residence for more than 600 years. Towneley Hall also cares for a collection of more than 30,000 objects, artefacts and works of art. Together, the park, building and collection offer different perspectives on the landscape, architectural and family history, and art and objects.
Weaving and industrial heritage
Queen Street Mill is the world’s last surviving 19th-century steam-powered weaving mill. Visitors can see the “Peace” steam engine, coal-fired boilers and a weaving shed with 308 Lancashire looms. Tours trace the process from raw cotton to woven fabric and demonstrate the machinery. This combines a look at the weaving machines with an explanation of the individual stages of the process.
The Weavers’ Triangle focuses on Burnley’s canal and cotton industries, as well as the city’s history and heritage. Visitors can try weaving, visit a Victorian schoolroom and see changing exhibitions. While Queen Street Mill highlights weaving and its machinery, the Weavers’ Triangle offers a broader look at Burnley’s industrial history.
Walks, routes and views
The Canal Walk is a 1.5-mile walk along the Leeds-&-Liverpool Canal. The Singing Ringing Tree offers a different focus: this wind-powered musical sculpture stands high above Burnley on Crown Point and connects to the Pennine Bridleway and local walking routes. From the site, panoramic views extend across East Lancashire, including Pendle Hill and Burnley. The named canal route and the site with its sculpture, route connections and far-reaching views each have a distinct character.
Stage, church and football
Burnley Mechanics Theatre hosts events throughout the year, including comedy, live music and family shows. It is a five-minute walk from Burnley bus station. St Peter’s Church has stood at the heart of Burnley for more than 850 years. The Heritage Centre in the church tells its story and explains its importance to Burnley and its residents. The church is usually open to visitors on Fridays from 1 to 3 pm; check before your visit whether these hours are current.
Football is also part of the town’s history: Turf Moor has been the home ground of Burnley Football Club since shortly after 1882. Burnley Youth Theatre produces and programs work with, by and for children, young people and their families.
Market dates
On the first Saturday of each month, Burnley Artisan Market brings together around 65 to 70 independent makers, bakers, artists, food producers and creative businesses from the region. The market includes live music and free family activities. Check the latest dates before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Salterforth, Skelmersdale, West Bradford, Leck, St Michael's On Wyre, Rufford, Calder Vale, Whitworth
For the overview of the wider region: Lancashire.
