Despite there being many things to do in Burnley, it’s not often considered a major tourist destination in England. Having spent 2 days in the city, I was pleasantly surprised by how many interesting historic attractions in Burnley there are to explore, and how picturesque the surrounding landscape is. We were given plenty of recommendations about walks and hikes around Burnley during our trip as well. If you’re an outdoorsy type of person you won’t be left disappointed here. So, what exactly is Burnley famous for?
Since the medieval period, Burnley has largely been known as a market town, as it was surrounded by farmland, with manor houses and royal forests (such as the Forest of Bowland). It was during the Industrial Revolution that Burnley really made a name for itself, becoming Lancashire’s most important mill town as well as one of the world’s largest producers of cotton cloth.
Today, Burnley is still largely a manufacturing city. It has much more to offer tourists though and is worth visiting if you happen to find yourself in the north of England. It’s also a great option for a day trip from either Manchester or Liverpool. Here’s what I found to be the best things to do in Burnley.
Things to do in Burnley
Gawthorpe Hall
One of the best things to do in Burnley is to visit Gawthorpe Hall. The current hall dates back to 1600 and was redesigned in the 1850’s by the same man who designed the Houses of Parliament and Downton Abbey. Gawthorpe Hall has actually been given the nickname of the Downton of the North because of this connection.
It’s set within hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland which is completely free to walk around, but there’s a fee to go inside of the hall. Whether you’re on a day trip to Burnley or are staying a bit longer in the city, visiting Gawthorpe Hall is an incredible experience and should be at the very top of your list of things to do in Burnley.
Queen Street Mill Textile Museum
Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is only the second historic factory that I’ve visited on my travels (the first being in Scotland as part of Scotland’s Explorer Pass). If you’re looking for unique spots in Burnley to visit, you’ll want to make a stop here. The mill dates back to the 19th century and is the last operational steam-powered weaving mill in the world. The mill is only open on specific days of the week, and costs just £3 for the tour. If you happen to be visiting Burnley when it’s not open, I would still recommend driving to the mill to take a look at its original exterior. It’s definitely a must-see in Burnley.
Visiting Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is one of the best things to do in Burnley, and the tour itself is very informative. We had a lovely tour guide who took us around the different areas of the mill, showing us how the machines would have been used to produce Burnley’s world-famous calico cloth. The mill only closed its doors in 1982 and has since opened as a museum where you can step back into Victorian times and learn about the important role that mills played in Burnley’s history. Queen Street Mill is also where a scene from The King’s Speech was filmed.
St Peter’s Church
A bit of a hidden gem in Burnley, but still an important historic attraction, is St Peter’s Church. The oldest part of the church dates back to the 15th century, but the site has been a place of Christian worship for over 1000 years. It has a rather interesting historic graveyard surrounding it as well which you can walk around, and the church itself has been designated a Grade II listed building. Visiting the church is one of the best free things to do in Burnley, and is worth the short walk from the city centre to see.
Singing Ringing Tree
A very unique point of interest in Burnley is the Singing Ringing Tree. It’s a musical sculpture constructed of pipes, taking the shape of a tree bending in the wind. As the wind passes through the pipes, it creates a tune which you can hear as you approach it. It was completed in 2006, and the site offers incredible panoramic views of the countryside – perfect for watching the sunset or having a picnic.
There’s a parking lot nearby, so if you don’t fancy hiking up to it you can opt to park here instead and take an easy 10 minute walk to it. Make sure you add this one to your list of things to do in Burnley.
Explore Burnley’s city centre
Although there aren’t too many things to do in Burnley’s city centre in terms of attractions, it’s worth taking some time out of your schedule and walking around it. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from, and you’ll be able to gain a further understanding of the industrial nature of the city. One of the most popular streets in Burnley, especially for nightlife, is Hammerton Street, which is very picturesque to walk along. Most of Burnley’s main attractions are outside of the city centre though, so you won’t need to plan too much time here.
Have lunch at The Palazzo
There are plenty of places to eat in Burnley, and after doing extensive research we decided to have lunch at The Palazzo, which is located in the heart of the city centre. The interior of the restaurant is stunning, with its high ceilings, elaborate decorations, and tall pillars. The building was built in the 19th century, and was once home to a bank, so you can imagine how impressive the architecture is. It’s now a traditional Italian restaurant serving a delicious selection of pizzas and pastas, all made right on site. They also have a lot of great cocktail deals.
Towneley Hall
Towneley Hall is one of the most impressive buildings in all of Burnley. It sits within the largest park in the city and has a history dating back to the 13th century. Entry to this historic house costs £2.75, and you’ll be able to visit its various rooms, learn about the history of the family who once owned the property, and observe some of the hall’s fascinating art and artefacts collection.
The grounds surrounding the hall are also worth walking around, and are very popular with city residents throughout the year. If you only have a few hours to spend in Burnley, I would put Towneley Hall towards the top end of your list of things to do in Burnley.
Take a drive around the countryside
If you have some time to spare during your trip to Burnley, the countryside surrounding the city is absolutely breathtaking and worth driving around – especially if you have nice weather. There are plenty of day trips from Burnley you can go on to the various little villages in the area, as well as a number of restaurants near Burnley to stop at along the way. As you make your way through the countryside, don’t forget to stop off at some viewpoints and take in your surroundings (and get some photos too).
Plan a trip to Heptonstall
Out of all of the villages near Burnley to visit, I would highly recommend taking the short drive into Yorkshire and visiting Heptonstall. The first written record of this village comes from 1274. It’s historically known as being important for hand-loom weaving. One of the main attractions in Heptonstall is the Church of St Thomas a’ Becket, a ruined 13th century church that was partly destroyed during a storm in the 19th century.
A second church was later built next to it which is still operating. That makes it one of the only sites in England to be home to 2 churches at once. It’s a fascinating place near Burnley to visit if you have time.
Go on a day trip to Hebden Bridge
Located very close to Heptonstall is the popular Yorkshire market town of Hebden Bridge. Its location among fast-flowing streams and its access to major wool markets made it ideal for the use of water-powered weaving mills. The village began to grow in size and importance in the 19th century, and today this town is very popular with tourists because of its market as well as its shops and restaurants.
The surrounding area is also a haven for people looking to get involved in outdoor activities. Visiting Hebden Bridge is one of the best things to do near Burnley and should definitely be considered when you’re planning your trip to the area.
If you’re running out of things to do in Lancashire, maybe you should think about adding Burnley to your agenda. I’m very glad that I chose to visit the city, and I had no idea that there were that many interesting things to do in Burnley. With so many towns near Burnley to visit as well, you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of day trips from the city.
Do you have any other recommendations about things to do in Burnley? Let me know in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram and get in touch if you have any travel queries!
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