Discover Blackburn: Culture, Parks and Family Experiences

Blackburn combines historic culture, green spaces and a wide range of activities for different age groups. Those planning a trip can combine a museum and cathedral visit with time in parks, special events and active experiences. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore particularly useful to consider whether you want to focus your stay on cultural discoveries, experiences in nature or family-oriented activities.

Culture between the Museum and Cathedral

A central destination for those interested in culture is Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. It opened on 11 June 1874 as Blackburn Free Library and Museum. Today, it houses British art from the 19th and 20th centuries, the R E Hart Collection of early books and coins, and the Thomas Boys Lewis Collection of Japanese prints. These are complemented by Greek and Russian icons, an Egyptological collection and holdings relating to the local and industrial history of the borough. This also includes the Lewis Textile Collection, which was previously housed in the Lewis Textile Museum.

Important for planning your day: Blackburn Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:45 pm. This allows you to deliberately fit a museum visit into a stay that includes other destinations in the town, without losing sight of the opening hours.

Blackburn Cathedral also has its own cultural appeal. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the bus station and railway station, providing travellers with a clear point of orientation on arrival and during further exploration of the town. Admission is free. The cathedral has a religious art collection regarded as one of the best in the country. The works mentioned include Penny Warden’s “The Journey” and the 35-foot-high outdoor sculpture “Healing of the Nation”, regarded as one of the most innovative modern sculptures at an English cathedral.

Parks and Activities for Different Day Plans

Those who want to spend time outdoors after their cultural programme will find two picturesque lakes in Corporation Park. They provide a habitat for many species of waterfowl, including mute swans and ducks. The 480-acre Witton Country Park is also home to Go Ape Blackburn, nature trails, picnic areas and play areas. This allows you to combine a more relaxed time in the park with a more active outing, without having to follow the same daily routine throughout your trip.

Go Ape Blackburn is located in Witton Country Park. Treetop Adventure Plus in Blackburn is designed for children aged 6 to 10 and for people who want to build their self-confidence. The facility includes four sections with obstacles and zip lines of up to 100 metres in length. For families with children in this age group, this is a specific way to plan an active day; other travellers can instead make use of the park’s paths, picnic areas and play areas.

Planet Ice Blackburn Arena offers a weather-independent activity. It is an Olympic-sized ice rink where you can go skating all year round. Together with the museum, cathedral and parks, it creates a range of options that lets you shape your stay differently depending on your interests and how you feel on the day.

Special Dates and Choosing Suitable Accommodation

The National Festival of Making is a free, participatory festival that stretches across Blackburn town centre. Each year, it brings together art, manufacturing, performances and making over a shared festival weekend. If you plan your trip around this festival weekend, the town offers a different experience than it does on a quiet museum or park day.

A holiday apartment in Blackburn is a particularly suitable search option if you want to combine cultural destinations, time in parks and flexible activities. When planning further, consider which of the experiences mentioned are essential for your trip: the museum’s collections, the free cathedral, the lakes in Corporation Park, the activities in Witton Country Park or year-round ice skating. As an additional research option, you can also visit Darwen.

For the overarching travel overview: Blackburn With Darwen.