Parks and Gardens
To be able to sit and take a breather from the hustle and bustle of the modern world is something that everyone strives for; whether you want to stretch your legs at lunch-time, take the children somewhere they can let off steam or simply walk the dog, Burnley’s parks and gardens are just the ticket.
Within walking distance of the centre of Burnley you will find two award-winning parks where you can sit and take your ease away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Queen’s Park and Thompson Park are both grade two listed by English Heritage and have been awarded Green Flags for their high standards, as have Scott Park and Padiham Memorial Park.
Queen’s Park
Designed by Robert Murray and opened in 1893, Queen’s Park was Burnley’s first public park. Within its 28-acres much of the original design can still be seen today with the ornamental flower-beds, urban arboretum tree, sculptures and bandstand. A range of excellent sports facilities including football pitches, bowling green, tennis courts, a basketball court and Queen’s Park Skate Park attract all ages.
Thompson Park
Opened in July 1930, Thompson Park is a delight. For the horticulturalist its award-winning Italian garden, rose garden, Forest of Burnley arboretum trees and community orchard offer a real treat. A three-acre boating lake, children’s playground and paddling pool, miniature railway and 9-hole putting green are great for families and a small café is open during the summer.
Scott Park
Scott Park has a beautiful Victorian bandstand, woodland walks, bowling greens and an excellent play area for children including a giant draughts board.
Memorial Park
Memorial Park in Padiham is on two sites linked by a riverside walk along the banks of the River Calder; the upper section has traditional flower-beds and shrubberies while in the lower section you will find sports facilities including Padiham Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool.
Towneley Park
The largest park in Burnley is Towneley Park with its history, heritage and wide-open spaces it is home to most of the major outdoor events in Burnley including the Burnley Balloon Festival. You can walk through the woods, feed the ducks, play golf, tennis or bowls, let the kids loose in the new play area or have a nice cup of tea in the café.
The parkland contains many beautiful trees and shrubs as well as a traditional Victorian flower garden. The surrounding woodlands have nature trails marked through them with fascinating outdoor sculptures hewn from the trees around; these include everything from a giant magpie to a crocodile emerging from its watery home, abstract sculptures to an enormous cricket. A range of interesting guided walks and rambles around Towneley Park take place throughout the year.
Also in the grounds is Offshoots Permaculture Centre - where visitors can see organic gardening and recycling in action including reed beds, herb gardens, an outdoor bread oven and a Mongolian yurt and Towneley Garden Centre where you will find alpines, herbaceous plants, perennials, conifers and trees which you can buy to transform your own garden.
Contact Details
Burnley Parks Services Tel. 01282 664612
Burnley Ranger Service Tel. 01282 831053
Forest of Burnley Tel. 01282 664636
Tony Blair's former head of communications and famous 'spin doctor' Alistair Campbell is a huge fan of Burnley Football Club and can be seen regularly at Turf Moor cheering on the Clarets.