Located at the junction of the River Calder and the River Brun, Burnley is a historic market town that lies partway between Manchester and Yorkshire Dales National Park. It was established in the medieval period and flourished during the Industrial Revolution as a major centre for the manufacture of cotton cloth.
Things to do in Burnley
On the edge of Burnley’s town centre is Thompson Park, an Edwardian green space that first opened to the public in 1930. In addition to its boating lake and paddling pool, it features landscaped flower beds, Italian-inspired gardens and a children’s playground. Also within the grounds is a memorial to Dr. James Mackenzie, a Scottish cardiologist who worked for many years in Burnley.
A short drive south-east of Burnley is Towneley Hall, a Grade II-listed mansion that is home to Burnley's art gallery and museum. It boasts an impressive collection of paintings by Edward Burne-Jones and John William Waterhouse, as well as antique furnishings from across Lancashire. Surrounding the hall are extensive parklands, a nature reserve and a working farm.
If you drive in the other direction from Burnley, you’ll arrive at Gawthorpe Hall, an Elizabethan country house that is managed by the National Trust. It was rebuilt in the mid-19th century by Charles Barry, who was responsible for designing the Palace of Westminster. Today, Gawthorpe Hall is home to an exceptional collection of textiles and an ornamental terraced garden overlooking the River Calder.
Getting around Burnley
Burnley is around 45 minutes’ drive from Manchester and Manchester Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains connect to the Burnley Barracks and Burnley Central railway stations while buses travel through the town, connecting most of its attractions.