Blackburn with Darwen is one of the ten main regions within Lancashire.
Blackburn is a minster and industrial town. In fact, it is on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, 9 miles east of Preston. Blackburn is bounded to the south by Darwen, with which it forms the unitary authority of Blackburn with Darwen. Blackburn had a population of 105,085, whilst the wider borough of Blackburn with Darwen had a population of 148,850. Blackburn had a population of 117,963 in 2011.
A former mill town, textiles have been produced in Blackburn since the middle of the 13th century, when wool was woven in people’s houses in the domestic system. Flemish weavers who settled in the area in the 14th century helped to develop the woollen cottage industry.
The most rapid period of growth and development in Blackburn’s history coincided with the industrialisation and expansion of textile manufacturing. Blackburn was a boomtown of the Industrial Revolution and amongst the first industrialised towns in the world.
Darwen
Darwen is a traditional Market Town retaining its heritage and set in miles of stunning countryside. Indeed, there is a good variety of restaurants, cafes and bars in the town centre offering all types of festive cuisine and entertainment. Darwen is renowned for hospitality and a warm welcome as well as fine food and ales.
Darwen Town Hall and Market has recently undergone refurbishment. This created five traditional shops in the front of the building. As a result, this helped restore it to it’s former state of the 1880’s.
The units provide a retail frontage to the market linking with the public square which hosts a number of events throughout the year. The new shops include an Italian deli, traditional sweet shop, barbers and children’s clothing and gifts store.
Darwen Market has over 130 stalls offering amazing choice, quality and value. The Market specialises in local produce from local traders for fruit and Veg. In addition to meat, cheese, fish and local delicacies, shoppers can also get arts & crafts, collector’s items and gifts.
Attractions
There’s a fair bit to see and do in and around Blackburn with Darwen. Outdoors, there’s the wonderful Witton Country Park, which also plays host to the Restricted Rocks Concert. In addition, there’s Darwen Tower, Turton & Entwistle Reservoir and Corporation Park. Not forgetting Blackburn Rovers Football Club, who play their home games at Ewood Park.
Events
There are a number of key events which take place in Blackburn with Darwen throughout the year. Typically, there’s the Great Harwood Agricultural Show as well Restricted Rocks, the music festival held in the Summer Months. Then later in the year, theres the Blackburn Festival of Light and Blackburn Comes Alive nights of celebrations and festivities later in the year. Lancashire Day is celebrated every year on the 27th November
Groups & Clubs
Younger folk can engage in a wide variety of activities through the Blackburn Youth Zone. Additionally, they can take part in a range of sports either with the Blackburn Harriers Athletic Club, cricket through the Great Harwood Cricket Club or lots of local football teams such as Wilpshire Wanderers Football Club. For dad support, theres the Lancashire Dadsnet Group, of walking is your thing, then. theres the Lancashire Walking Group. For Coronovirus support, there’s also the Lancashire Coronavirus Support Group.
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