Attractions
Blackburn has a thriving cultural scene with three excellent arts centres in the town or within easy reach. King George’s Hall consists of three separate venues offering everything from pop to pantomime, while Blackburn Empire Theatre also welcomes big names from the world of entertainment. A couple of miles away is Darwen Library Theatre, a vibrant community arts centre which combines professional touring productions with the best in amateur dramatics.
Art and heritage also have a major role in Blackburn’s cultural life. The historic and beautiful Cathedral, with its iconic modern sculpture, ‘Healing of the Nation’, is a must on any cultural tour of the town, while the Museum and Art Gallery showcases Blackburn’s cotton legacy as well as housing important collections from across the globe. If you want to find out more about Blackburn’s fascinating industrial past, a heritage tour will help you step back in time and find out more.
Blackburn Cathedral
Blackburn’s stunning Anglican Cathedral offers visitors a green oasis of calm in the bustling town centre. There has been a church on the cathedral site for more than 1000 years and, in 1926, the impressive parish church of St Mary the Virgin was raised to cathedral status. The original church now forms the cathedral’s nave.
Museums and Art Galleries
From books to beetles and from mummies to machinery, Blackburn Museum and Art gallery has something to intrigue and inspire all ages.
Theatres
Three great theatres ... King George’s Hall in the centre of Blackburn is one of the region’s premier live entertainment complexes, Blackburn Empire Theatre just outside Blackburn Town Centre and Darwen Library Theatre, in the centre of Darwen Market Town also provide thrilling programmes of entertainment
Turton Tower
Turton Tower is a distinctive English country house located in the small village of Turton on the edge of the popular walking area of the West Pennine Moors. Originally built by the Tudor Orrell family to defend their land, it later became a luxurious home. The house was lavishly furnished and extended in both the Tudor and early Stuart periods.
Public Art
There are a number of public art pieces in Blackburn and Darwen including the prominent braid and transitions sculptures in Blackburn Town Centre as well as pieces in more rural locations. The Blackburn Panoptican offers panoramic views over corporation park.
Heritage Town Trails
Discover Blackburn’s incredible history as a leading industrial town when cotton was king and weaving was big business. Self-guided Heritage Town Trails will help you explore the town from a new perspective, revealing stories behind of some of Blackburn’s historic buildings and taking you back to a time when the town was “weaving capital of the world”.
