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