Darwen
Darwen is a small market town just south of Blackburn. It developed as a centre of textile during the Industrial Revolution and now has a population of just over 30,000.
Hotels
Hotels in Darwen include the 3-star Whitehall Hotel and the Astley Bank Hotel. Both are 3 star properties. The Fernhurst is also nearby and offers 4-star guest accommodation. It’s situated on Bolton Road, close to Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park football stadium.
Cheap accommodation options include the Travelodge Blackburn M65 hotel. It’s situated at the Blackburn with Darwen motorway services, just off Junction 4 of the M65 motorway and approximately one mile from the centre of Darwen.
| Name | Hotel Star | Prices From |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehall Hotel | 3 | £55.00 |
Things To See & Do
One of the most recognisable buildings in Darwen is the India Mill and its 303 ft Italian-style brick chimney. Legendary Bolton steeplejack and TV star Fred Dibnah described it as ‘one of the best chimneystacks in all of England’. The mill building itself has been redeveloped as a business centre.
Another famous sight is the Darwen Tower, perched on the top of Beacon Hill and was built in 1898 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Visitors can climb to the top of the 85 ft tower and using the plaques at the top make out much of the Lancashire landscape, including Blackpool Tower and Morecambe Bay.
In 2010 Princess Anne opened the new Darwen Leisure Centre on Green Street, 77 years after her uncle Prince George opened the original Darwen Baths. The new £12 leisure facility offers a 25 metre 8-lane swimming pool, a smaller teaching pool, fitness studio, fully-equipped gym, sports hall, sauna, steam room and café.
Darwen Library Theatre is the town’s theatre and offers a year-round programme of theatre, music and comedy. It is also one of the venues for Darwen Live, a free 3-day music festival held each year at the end of May.
Sunnyhurst Wood is a fantastic country park lying in a wooded valley rich with bird and plant life. It’s a beautiful setting for family walks and picnics and also boasts a small visitor centre/art gallery.
Transport
Darwen train station is on the Ribble Valley Line. Northern Rail runs a regular train service from Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe that calls at Bolton, Darwen, and Blackburn.
National Express run a couple of coach services that call at Darwen. Their service between London and Burnley stops at Manchester Airport, Stockport, Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Darwen, Blackburn, and Accrington. Their coach from Birmingham to Burnley also passes through Darwen.
