Places to Visit Nearby
Looking for something to do in between concerts? We will have on display in the foyer leaflets packed with suggestions for things you can do nearby; walks, drives, town trails and food trails, castles and a cathedral – there’s something for everyone!
Please see the list below of websites to get you started – hover over the links and click on them to visit the websites.
- Blackburn cathedral in town centre – http://www.blackburncathedral.com/
- Blackburn Art Gallery and Museum in town centre containing a prestigious collection of illuminated manuscripts and icons – http://www.visitblackburn.co.uk/attractions/blackburn-museum-art-gallery
- Corporation Park is a lovely park nearby, some details of which can be found here http://www.corporationparksupportersgroup.com/corporation_park.html One thing of note is that there is a lovely discovery trail marked out on plaques mounted on granite slabs. Details are in the room at the main gate on Preston New Road.
- There is a range of national chain shops in Blackburn shopping Mall; also a market 6 days a week offering food and non perishable items.
- There are two Town Trails in Blackburn;North http://www.visitblackburn.co.uk/dbimgs/Blackburn%20Town%20Centre%20Trail%20North.pdf and South http://www.visitblackburn.co.uk/dbimgs/Blackburn%20Town%20Centre%20Trail%20South.pdfPendle
- Heritage Centre at Barrowford has parking and cafe with some interesting independent shops in the village. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrowford and http://htnw.co.uk/?portfolio=pendle-heritage-centre
- Boundary Mill discount shopping centre at Colne has 2 cafes and a restaurant plus plenty of free parking. http://boundarymill.co.uk/store/colne/
- Farmhouse biscuits at Nelson is a factory shop which has a range of pre-bagged biscuits and tins available – the variety depends on lines produced at the time. They make for Harrods, F&M, Jenners etc – http://www.farmhouse-biscuits.co.uk
- Samlesbury Hall on Preston New Road is just down the road – http://www.samlesburyhall.co.uk. They have a cafe.
- Huntley’s farm shop, outlet and Restaurant at Samlesbury can be found nearby on the A59 http://www.huntleys.co.uk/
- Whalley and Clitheroe are interesting places to look round, within easy reach. Whalley has Abbey ruins whilst Clitheroe has the Castle museum http://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/clitheroe-castle-museum-p7129 and various independent shops such as another Exchange coffee shop and lots of cafes.
- There is a large antique furniture warehouse in Clitheroe www.antiquesworld.co.uk
- Other market towns within easy reach are Longridge and Garstang
- Indeed, there are numerous drives to picturesque villages, many with country pubs and restaurants – http://www.visitribblevalley.co.uk/info/28/picturesque_towns_and_villages/35/a-c_guide_to_villages
- Nearby Preston is now home to the Hart Brewery, who do tours – http://www.hartbreweryltd.co.uk/visit.htm
- Turton Tower http://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/turton-tower-p783
- Brockholes 250 acre nature reserve comes highly recommended. You might even spot a kingfisher… http://www.brockholes.org/visit/ – if you approach RVIPW from the M6 you will drive past the entrance, right on junction 31. As well as birdwatching both along the river and from the hides, there are walks both short and long on easy to negotiate cinder footpaths, a unique floating visitor centre with gift shops and an occasional market, children’s playground and café provide a great afternoon of entertainment
For those who like walking, here are some possibilities, all close by:
- 4.5 miles – http://www.theaa.com/walks/rural-revelations-in-witton-420720#information
- Or 6 miles – http://www.visitlancashire.com/dbimgs/Beamers%20Trail.pdf
- Or 7.5 miles http://www.visitblackburn.co.uk/dbimgs/Reelers_Trail.pdf
- And 8 miles http://www.visitblackburn.co.uk/dbimgs/Warpers_Trail.pdf
- Finally a short one! http://www.theaa.com/walks/wayoh-and-entwistle-420712#directions
Places to eat within easy reach of our venue, in addition to those mentioned at various attractions are are:
- Exchange Coffee in Blackburn town centre are roasters of coffee, blenders of tea and have a lovely cafe ( almost opposite the Cathedral) – http://exchangecoffee.co.uk/about/our_shops/blackburn_shop
- Café Northcote at Blackburn cathedral
- Clog and Billycock http://www.theclogandbillycock.com
- Stanley House http://www.stanleyhouse.co.uk
- Millstone at Mellor http://millstonehotel.co.uk/
- There’s even time to drive to Whalley Abbey and have afternoon tea http://http://www.autism.org.uk/services/england/lancashire/enterprise.aspx
We hope this list will provide some ideas to get you started for activities to do in between our lunchtime and evening concerts.