Where to walk

So you’ve arrived in Burnley, it’s a lovely, sunny day which is an extreme rarity in the town so make the most of it with a walk! There are some very, very pretty places to walk in Burnley, canals, foot paths, forest, parks.

Towneley.

I’ll start with the obvious, Towneley park, as you’ll have seen in early posts (which I hope you’ve been reading) Towneley park is a focal point of Burnley, much happens here including walking, lots and lots of people come from far and wide just to walk on the ancient paths of Towneley.

I for one adore a walk around Towneley, it’s glorious, full of squirrels, streams and garlic. The best way to experience Towneley park is to wonder, discover this wonderful place! But don’t go after sunset, it’s not especially dangerous, but you’ll probably get lost. David is a regulare user of the parks winding ribbons of tarmac gravel and stone. He told me about he walks around Towneley”I really enjoy walking around Towneley, it gets a little hard in winter but it keeps me fit and healthy”

Leeds Liverpool canal.

Another place to walk would be the very pretty Leeds and Liverpool canal. A simply wonderful walk along the canal which if you drift off on (which I have a number of times) can leave in the middle of nowhere.

Anthony who lives on the banks of the Leeds Liverpool canal let me kno what he thinks of it “The canal stretches through the heart of Burnley and is a wonderful place to waste some time.”

The  forever winding path offers some of the best views of Burnley, including swans, ducks, geese, old mills and barges.

Thompson park.

Thompson park is a very nice place for a walk, with its italian gardens, huge pond, waterfall, endless paths and regular marching drills from the air cadets based close by.

A short walk from the town centre the park is wrapped around a large pond which kindly provides canoes and family pedal boots for rental in summer and there’s a paddling pool that is very and I really do mean very occasionally filled with water.

The play ground is well equipped with sand pit, climbing frames, swings and all the regular stuff, benches are also provided for parents who don’t fancy joining in on the fun. The italian garden is my favorite feature of the park, 10ft columns dressed in an array of flowers and dozens of flower beds filled with the gardeners choice of natures finest.

There’s also a mini train! usually operating in summer and cheap the mini train offers a few minutes of pure joy for you and the kids.

Crown point.

Crown point is the very peak of Burnley, from here you can see the whole of Burnley and the towering pendle hill, surrounded by endless farm land and plenty of sheep crown point is a popular destination for both locals and visitors.

A large steel structure known as the singing ringing tree dominates the peak of Crown point, this rather odd looking rendition of a tree plays a symphony when struck by the wind, to be honest, it’s not so much of a symphony but more of a howl, but that’s not really what you’re there for.

What you are there for is the walking and views of the area. gorgeous green fields and endless views. Beautiful. 

Where to stay

Burnley has a range of places to stay, wether it be for a week or a night.

The oaks.

Let’s start with the most ‘prestigious’ in the town. The Oaks hotel, now owned by best western is known as the best hotel in the town for its luxurious feel and spa but prices are far from cheap. A family of four will be looking at £65.00 for a single nights stay and if you want breakfast well that will be a total of £143.00.

It’s also some time away from the centre. The hotel is often well received with one person saying “The staff are excellent and friendly” although others are not to keen on the hotel such as their food “The cooked breakfast on both mornings was inedible, very dried up and cold”

Holiday Inn.

A cheaper place to stay would be Burnley’s Holiday Inn. Standard charges of £62.00 for a family of four in a single room which includes a double bed and a sofa bed for the kids. This may seem a bit expensive for what you get and well, to be honest, that’s because it is. Typical of a chain hotel the Holiday Inn gets decent review with the likes Douglas leaving the hotel happy “I enjoyed my stay at this hotel, the location was convenient and this modern hotel was clean and appealing.”

 

 

 

 

Premier Inn.

Another mainstream/chain hotel option is Burnley’s Premier Inn, It’s very close to the town centre, walking distance (on a warm night) offers a free car park and Brewster pub/restaurant opposite.

A family of four will be looking at £63 for a single nights stay. So, as you’d expect, almost the same of Holiday Inn. The Premier Inn gets a good review off most with Martyn saying “Nicely set off the road with plenty of parking. The staff were all very helpful and pleasant”

The Omerod B&B.

A lovely family run B&B in the town is The Ormerod. A five minute walk from the town centre, The Omerod is nestled on the corner of Ormerod road (hence the name) Backing onto the Leeds Liverpool canal and opposite Thompson park the B&B offers some of the best surroundings in the town.

Very popular with cyclists riding along the Leeds Liverpool canal. (see other blog posts for more info on canal and park) One reviewer on Tripadvisor was impressed with their stay at The Ormerod.”This is a comfortable, small hotel/Guest house on a road junction in Burnley. The room I had was spacious ,light and comfortable.”

 

 

Rosehill House Hotel.

A quirky, old fashioned hotel found towards the top of Burnley. Built in 1850 this hotel is pretty cheap for the standard of luxury and all round oddness you get. Rates change dependent on season but a family of four will be able to stop there for a night at a cost of around £55-£65. Not bad really. Rosehill House rarely gets a bad review and most people describe their stay like Aleem, who told me the hotel was “A quirky, old fashioned wonderful place to stay” I also spoke to Emma the Hotel manager who told me why Rosehill House is so nice “The main reason is it’s unique and nothing like premier Inn or Travel Lodge. It’s a grade 2 listed victoria building, with original ceilings and fire places. The hotel is extravagant in respect to other hotels, very unique and family run, so focus on customer service we think it’s second to non.”

The not so nice.

On your arrivale in Burnley you may notice a large building named ‘The Kierby Hotel’ I’ll cut straight to the point and tell you to avoid this place at all costs. My last experience of the place was a few months ago(January2013) when helping a friend film a music video, the theme of the video was a run down 70’s hotel. I feel this should say enough.

Source for some reviews can be found at www.tripadvisor.co.uk

The mechanics

The centre of of all that is theatrical in Burnley is the Mechanics Theatre, an extension to the town hall The Mechanics has played host to the likes of The Chuckle Brothers and countless comedians such as Mark Watson and Lenny Henry.

This May it’s also host to Burnley Blues Festival, a must see event in the town.Big blue names are attracted to the even each year and play at a number of venues across the town but most prominantly The Mechanics. Here’s the kind of fun to expect from the event!

Tickets prices and availability for shows at the Mechanics are obviously relative to who is playing, smaller plays and comedians will as expected sell less tickets, so buying a ticket on the day for such shows is possible, but for bigger attractions such as The Chuckle Brothers and big cover bands like The Clone Roses will be sold out weeks in advance. For more information regarding tickets visit here.

Once you’ve picked the show the rest is all about getting here, parking and where to stay I’ve touched on in earlier posts, but if you don’t feel like scanning through them then here is a little map for some help.

For more information on the venue including upcoming events visit their website.

Entertainment in Burnley

I’ve already touched on this in the form of The Mechanics. But let’s have a look at what else Burnley has to offer in the entertainment section.

Burnley Apollo Cinema.

Burnley’s only cinema is the Apolla, a large neon wrapped cinema and a short walk from the town centre. The cinema is very popular and shows all the main and some of the bigger indie movies. As you’d expect from such a large chain the food prices are high and the cinema is clean. For a prime time showing of the bigger films I recommend you reserve tickets and check screening times via their website.

Turf Moor.

The home of Burnley football club, host to some fantastic moments in the town’s history, a really special place you should visit.

As you can probably tell I am a supporter of the club. If you are a fan of football and a neutral of any sorts then this can be a fun family day out, fans are friendly and staff always helpful. If you’re bringing the family along I recommend you get seats in the Jimmy Mcilroy stand, known to supporters as ‘The family stand’ so you get the idea, it’s the place in the ground where your children will be safest from the people who swear and shout a lot, it’s a positive atmosphere full of friendly families. Prices vary dependent on the game but for price lists and home fixtures please have a look here. I spoke to life long Burnley support and family man Joe about a day out at Turf Moor!

 

 

Burnley Cricket Club.

If you’re coming in the summer months and are looking to watch some sport then I have found your paradise. Burnley Cricket Club play the traditional cricket season (mid April to mid September) and welcome people to simply walk off the street and watch the professionals free of charge, but it would be nice if you bought a drink or two form the bar below the stand.

Backing onto Turf Moor parking for the cricket field is easy with spaces around the field itself available, or if you’re a little worried about the batsman being good enough to hit your car, then parking on the surrounding streets is always available. For more information including upcoming fixtures please visit the Burnley Cricket Club website.

 

 

1st Bowling Burnley.

Burnley has a bowling alley! As you’d expect this is fantastic family fun, regardless of the weather bowling is something all the family can play together. With pool table, mini arcade and bar which serves food & drink this really is the complete experience. It can get busy on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday after 7PM being a popular place for young people just before their night on the town so i’d recommend getting there around 4 o’clock on the afore-mentioned days. Prices are typical with a family of four paying £18 for a game but for a more detailed price list look at their website.

Where to eat

Burnley is fantastic for restaurants and general places to eat.

Here are the finest restaurants. All family friendly and happy for you to walk in off the street without a reservation.

Aldo.

Aldos is a traditional italian restaurant, complete with naked sculptures and  flamboyant staff, I can guarantee you’ll hear some smooth, delightful shouting in italian. But the food is regarded as the best Italian in Burnley.

Often fully booked and critically a claimed Aldos is a personal favorite of all the other local Italian restaurant owners, I feel this should say enough about the quality. Plus if you’re in a rush they offer a take away service and bar where you can wait for your food.

Its prices are typical of a mid to high-end restaurant, for a family of four you’re looking at a bill between 40 and 60 pounds, but well worth it.

To book a table in advance call 01282 455990

To visit Aldo’s rather pretty and easy to use website for everything from wine lists to opening times have a look here.

The Wokplace.

Burnley’s premier chinese. A sit in and takeaway restaurant, The Wokplace are so confident about the quality of their food that they cook it right in front of you, a rare occurrence in the world of chinese takeaways.

A small place but predominantly a take away so seats are always available. If you don’t fancy waiting around (by waiting around I mean a wait of 30 minutes max) then you can phone in advance on 01282 428128.

The Wokplace have what they call a website, but in essence it’s just a map, menu and opening times. To have a look follow this link.

It’s relatively easy to find, but if you’re having trouble look for the KFC, but please, don’t go to the KFC, it’s really not that nice.

The Usher.

Burnley’s best Indian, opened in 2002 and it’s fantastic, I don’t like Indian food, but I like the Usher, a variety of traditional Indian food from the weakest korma to the hottest Vindaloo, kids curries (very weak) and omlettes, if you don’t like curry.

It’s often very busy and if you’re planning to attend on a Friday or Saturday after 6pm then i’d strongly advice you to reserve a table via 01282 457529.

For the usher’s menu and a little more detail including opening times visit their website via this link link, be warned that the website is rarely updated, if ever.

Sycamore Farm.

Famous in the town for its self service carvery, inexpensive, good quality food and a very warm atmosphere, it’s a very nice place to be, has all the stylings of a pub-restaurant but without the drunks. A play area for the kids and special events  for them are a frequent occurrence.

But if you’re not into all that kids stuff then don’t be afraid! The kids stuff is far enough away form the main seating areas that you need not worry about children running around your table and causing all sorts of unholy hassle.

I spoke to Sycamore Farm chef Dave Kostileck told me why its such a good place to eat “We have the largest carvery section in the local area, we serve locally brewed cask ales from local micro breweries such as  Worsthorne and Moorehouses. We have daily special as well as our normal menu, biggest and best quiz night in Burnley every week. Friendly atmosphere and amazing cakes prepared in house”

You don’t need to worry about booking a table unless you’re intending to arrive on mothers day or new years eve.

However, if you live life on the safe side then you can call them via 01282 427101. for more information and the menu have a gander their the website, Opening times and upcoming events can also be found here.

The town Centre

For a small former mill town Burnley is very good when it comes to shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Let’s start with the important one. shopping! Most of the major chain stores such as River Island, Topshop and Toy Master. so, mum, dad, the young ones and even the teens can be entertained with shopping delight.

When it comes to midday and everyone is a little parched the mass of chain cafes such as Rhode Island and Costa are available but Burnley is abundant with traditional Family run cafes such as Brambles tearooms.

The town centre also has the market, which is lovely! all kinds of food sorts, clothing, flowers and even haircuts but the market shall be investigated in greater depth at another time.

The Centre isn’t without its attractions either with the town hall and Mechanics Theatre, I’ll go into detail on the Mechanics in later posts but for now, the Town hall, large, magnificent, the hub of the town, built in 1855 it’s beautiful, tall, grand and where all the important decisions are made by the council. The architectures doesn’t stop here it, just walk around the centre for a while, look up, and you’ll notice some magnificent vintage architecture from the post office to the towering  remains of mills. 

Long stay parking isn’t an issue, with two level car parks and one multi story, prices are cheaper than most large towns and cities and of £5.50 you can park all day on the more expensive car parks such as the multi story.

Shops and cafes are typically open till 5 Monday-Friday with clubs, pubs and restaurants open till very late, but I shall touch on them in later posts, this little piece is just to give a brief overview on what to expect from Burnley town centre.

How to get here

Burnley is easily accesible from almost anywhere, we don’t have an airport of port but we do have a bus station and two train stations!

Let’s start with the bus station, with the exception of the National Express coaches and the Burnley & Pendle x43 the furthest you can get to and from the station is Preston, which is quite far away and the single deck bus passes through blackburn and accrington on the way, for more information including timetable and all stops visit here.

If you’re planning to come via National Express then they come all the way from London and Southsea stopping at Birmingham and Manchester on the way.

If you’re as far away as London then for a family of four and a next-day-return the most you’ll pay ( if you buy online from here ) is £47.70. And from Birmingham: £43.65

I you’re coming from Manchester I would simply advice you to get the x43 Witch Way bus which arrives every 15 minutes in Manchester and costs £7.40 for a same-day adult return. The Witch Way is easily recognisable and stops in Rawtenstall along the way. For more information including stops and timetables visit here.

 

If you’re coming from Blackpool, York, Leeds, Halifax or even Todmorden then jump on the Train! The York and Blackpool North train stops at Burnley Manchester road station at 26 minutes past the hour and 57 minutes past the hour respectively.

Not too expensive and pretty fast the train is probably your best option if you’re coming from further afield and don’t have a car. The Blackpool North train begins at York and stops at Leeds, Bradford, Halifax and Todmorden on its travel to Burnley Manchester road station.

If you’re coming from the other way (the other way being Blackpool and Preston) then you’ll want to catch the York train. This one stops at such places as Preston, Bamber bridge, Blackburn and Accrington on its way to Manchester road station.

From Manchester road station it’s a 5 minutes walk into the town centre and if you don’t particularly want to walk then taxis are always available at the station exit.

The most you’ll being looking at price wise for an open adult return is £21.60 so not bad at all and as a frequent user of the train myself (traveling to preston and Leeds regularly) I can safely say that if you don’t fancy driving then the train is the best and quickest method of travel.

Leisure in Burnley

Burnley is a town in love with keeping fit, our tallest Building the St. Peter’s Centre is a fitness and health centre, we have three very large fitness centres and many much more activity related fun on offer!

St. Peters Centre.

Let’s start with the St. Peters Centre, nestled in the heart of Burnley it’s unmissable, huge, towering, a sort of beige/yellow building. Equipped with two swimming pools, fitness suite, jacuzzi, sauna, cafe, group exercise classes, sports halls. All available to use on the day.

As you enter the atrium above your head is the magnificent ‘Lightweave’ a giant metal woven sphere hanging from the ceiling. designed by artist Liam Curtain. More information on the centre including opening times and latest news visit here.

Regular user of the St.peters centre Nathan told me and you about what he thinks of the centre.

Burnley Golf Club.

Burnley Golf course is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors of the town. Full 18 holes open rain or shine, draped across a corner of the Pennine Moors the golf course offers fantastic views across the town so a perfect opportunity for picture-taking.

The club’s professionals offer tuition to both adults and children. The course is in top five courses in Pennine Lancashire. Weekend fees are £15 per person so not too bad for what is a fantastic golf course. For more information on the course including opening times and contact details visit their website.

Towneley pitch and putt.

More golf! we like golf in this town, very much less serious than Burnley golf course, the pitch and putt at Towneley is cheap and fun, very, very easy to lose balls but fun. In the heart of the Towneley woods pitch and putt is a summer traditional for all Burnley residents so can get pretty busy on warm summer days and there’s not booking service so I’d recommend getting there before 2PM.

Prices are fantastic for the fun you’ll have:
Monday – Friday £2.50
Saturday/Sunday/Bank Holidays £3.00
Senior Citizens (10am-5pm Monday/Friday £1.25
Excluding Bank Holidays)
Refundable Deposit
For more information on the pitch and putt course visit here.

Padiham Leisure Center.

Okay, yes I know, this isn’t strictly Burnley but it’s very close and very nice. The leisure centre has recently been refurbished and now has tennis courts, cycle greenway route, 5-a-side football pitch, bowling green and play park area along with the original items of swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room. Much like the St. Peters centre really but has a purpose built gym for children aged between 8 and 14. For more on the leisure center including phone number and opening times visit here.

Towneley golf course.

Yes, I know, more golf, this one is nestled in the grounds of Towneley park. The 18 whole golf course isn’t as picturesque as Burnley golf course and is more expensive at £18.50 weekend green fees, but with Towneley golf course you can make it day out with some of the family patrolling the grounds, soaking up the magnificent hall and gardens and the rest of the family on the golf course.

Much the same as Burnley golf course in that if you’re planning on coming on a hot summers day then pre-booking is advised. For more on the course visit their website.

Towneley Park

I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of it already, this frankly magnificent place known across Lancashire as being, well, a magnificent place, wether it’s coated in a blanket of thick winter snow or bombarded by frantic children burning in the summer haze.

Regardless of the season Towneley park is truly a fantastic family day out, I know this because I take my own family here many times a year! Beautiful winding paths around the park through woodland, over rivers and past farms, sheep, cows and horses are all within touching distance of the path.

On a dry day there’s little more relaxing than sitting by one of the many streams running through the woodland. The paths are littered if sculptures, some more obvious than others, a python wrapping itself around a tree trunk is as in your face as, well, a python wrapping itself around a tree, but less obvious are likes of a crocodile nestled amongst the shrubbery and the owl high in the trees watching over you.

Julia a regular dog walker at the park told me “We’re very lucky to have such a good park in Burnley, other near by towns don’t have anything like Towneley.”

Towards the bottom of the park is the children’s playground, everything is pretty standard here, sand pit, swings, climbing frame, everything you’d expect from a playground but have no fear, you won’t be felt having to sit and awkwardly talk to other parents because right beside the playground is a tiny circular cafe where you may purchase coffee and small cakes, complete with tables and picnic benches a few metres away this is the place sit back, eat your cake and give your kids sometime to running around and tire themselves out.

If you’re an active family and like your bike rides Townley is a wonderful place to for you. The paths, terrain and scenery are excellent for your family and their bikes or if your family is more into kicking a ball around, playing cricket or throwing a Frisbee, the numerous football and cricket pitches offer you all the space you want, unless you own quad bikes, in which case the lovely groundsmen might not be so lovely towards you.

At the centre of the park is the unmissable, majestic, poetic, featured on Most Haunted, thought to be haunted Towneley hall. This magnificent 500 year old building is a maze of long corridors, period rooms, cellars, staircases and art work is open to the public 12-5pm Saturday to Thursday at a cost of £4.00, unless you have a Burnley postcode which you might find on Google Maps (wink, wink). Remember the hall is closed on Fridays! The top floors offer endless views across the park and onto the bowling green like lawn leading to Townley park pond and the hoards of swans, ducks and geese which nest here every summer.

Townley park is, in my experience, one the best places in the county for a family day out, inexpensive, active, fun and bonding. You can even take the dog.

Here’s how to get there from junction 11 of the M65.

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For further information on the park please have a look here.

Burnley – What we’ll be looking at

Welcome to our blog, I say our blog because I want us to share it, you can’t write, edit or contribute in any manner, but it is still ours.

As you’ve probably already guessed via the blog title, this will be centred around the rather glorious, bright, happy, slightly falling down, northern town of Burnley. A place where I have lived all my life, much has changed in what has been my brief stint of this earth, yet not much in this town has, it is still the hilly, pigeon infested, wet almost all the time place, it was when I was just a child, frolicking through Townley park in nothing but my red wellington boots and obsession with Barney the dinosaur.

Now you may be an outsider to my town, you may even be from the south! But I very much doubt this, I am fully aware that the interest in my little town will only go as far as Lancaster, and that’s at an optimistic push. However, I will endeavour to bring us all the fantastic sights and sounds of this pokey Lancashire town.

I’ll be galloping through everything my home town has to offer including the hills, the views, the rather magnificent canals, the fantastic walks, parks and places to park you car, the football club, the past glory of our cotton industry, the architecture (or what remains of it) the buses, the trains, the houses, the things to do, the things to eat and of course, the ever-lovely, slightly volatile, people!

In case you didn’t know, which many of you won’t, Burnley is here.

Yep, it’s just far away from all the major places to be considered an average town, but that’s part its charm, this completely ordinary, low income, chav ridden town looks as average and inconspicuous as the next, but that’s part of the charm. Think of all the oceans in the world; look exactly the same, right? but once you dive in and have a look around, they’re all as spell binding as the next.

If you would like any further information on the town or specific aspects then please don’t hesitate to contact me via: p.f.ghayour@gmail.com