If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you will likely look for outdoor activities to enjoy when you visit a new location. When you visit Burnley in Lancashire, there are some wonderful things to do in Burnley and the surrounding area that will allow you to enjoy the outdoors and the area’s natural beauty. So, what are some of Burnley’s outdoor attractions? Here are some of the best outdoor activities in Burnley for you to enjoy.
The Best Outdoor Activities in Burnley
Towneley Hall, Park, & Gardens: One of the Best Outdoor Activities in Burnley
One of the top things to do in Burnley, Lancashire, is to visit Towneley Hall. The historic hall is now a museum and art gallery focusing on the town’s history. It is set in 180 hectares of parkland that you can also explore and includes 24 acres of woodland, playing fields, playgrounds, golf courses, a working farm, and multiple walks. The park has several entrances that all lead to the hall. You can grab a bite to eat in the on-site cafe during your visit.
Climb Pendle Hill: Best Outdoor Activity in Burnley for Walkers
One of the most iconic landmarks in Lancashire is Pendle Hill (see main photograph), and it is an interesting part of the county’s history. The hill lies just outside Burnley in Pendle, and you should include a walk up the hill during your visit to Burnley. Climbing the hill is rewarding for outdoors enthusiasts, who can enjoy spectacular countryside views. However, the hill’s history is most fascinating as it is associated with the infamous Pendle Witches. If you want to learn more about the Pendle witches and their trials, you can visit the nearby Pendle Heritage Centre or take the Pendle Witch Experience Tour.
Take a Stroll Around Thompson Park: One of the Best Outdoor Activities for Garden Lovers
Thompson Park is one of Burnley’s most visited and largest parks. The formal Edwardian park opened in 1930, and it lies on the former grounds of Bank Hall. For this reason, the park is also known as Bank Top. Some of the features include ornamental gardens, flower beds, rose gardens, Italian gardens, a boating lake, a paddling pool, and a children’s playground.
Go to Scott Park
Scott Park is a nice place to enjoy a stroll in Burnley. In addition to the playing fields and trees, the park also has tennis courts and a bowling green. It is a pretty green space that feels miles away from the urban surroundings.
Walk the Burnley Way: One of the Best Activities in Burnley for Walkers
If the weather is nice and you feel like taking a stroll, consider a walk along Burnley Way, as it is one of the best walks in Burnley. The walk is 40 miles long, so it is a walk that only some people can manage in one day. It goes along waterways like the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath and the River Calder. The walk also takes you through the Forest of Burnley woodlands, old farms, parks, and fields. Therefore, you can enjoy different sections of the walk over a couple of days or just complete one section during your visit to Burnley, Lancashire.
Visit Marsden Park
Another fantastic park to visit in Burnley is Marsden Park, as it boasts multiple features to enjoy. The park’s features include a wooded stream, a small lake, a fishpond, pseudo-Roman baths, gardens, sculptures, sundials, stonework, footpaths, and grassy areas.
Climb Boulsworth Hill- Lad Law
A popular walk in the South Pennines is Boulsworth Hill-Lad Law. Boulsworth Hill is a notable geographical feature just outside Burnley, and its summit is called Lad Law. The walk is 8.6 miles long, with a total ascent of 1,748 feet.
Walk Along Wycoller Beck
Wycoller Beck is a stream in Lancashire that runs through the village of Wycoller in Pendle and the Wycoller County Park. The walk is 3.76 miles from the beginning of the stream to where it joins the River Laneshaw at Covey Bridge. Several bridges cross the stream, including Pack-Horse Bridge, which is more than 800 years old, although it has been reconstructed many times. Another notable bridge is Clam Bridge, which is more than 1,000 years old and is listed as an Ancient Monument.
Enjoy Ightenhill Park
One of the smaller parks in Burnley is Ightenhill Park, which dates from 1912. The park is in three sections, as Lighten Road and Ightenhill Park Lane bisect it. It has walkways, playing fields, tennis and ball courts, outdoor gym equipment, and a children’s playground. Dogs are welcome at the park, and there is free parking. The park is the venue for the annual Ightenhill Festival in May.
See the Animals at the HAPPA: One of the Best Outdoor Activities in Burnley for Animal Lovers
The Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) is a fantastic place in Burnley to visit with children or if you love animals. Visitors to the horse farm can spend time with the horses, go for pony rides, watch horse races, take part in various events, and eat at the award-winning café on-site.
Ski Rossendale: One of the Most Fun Outdoor Activities in Burnley and the Surrounding Area
Rossendale is just over eight miles from Burnley, and it is there that you will find Ski Rossendale, which is a year-round ski slope and one of the best outdoor activities in Burnley and the surrounding area. The attraction claims it is the UK’s premier ski and snowboarding centre. There are courses that use the natural slopes of the hillsides, and visitors can enjoy activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. It is something that people of all ages can enjoy.
Do the Lancashire Witches Walk
The Lancashire Witches Walk runs from the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford to Lancaster Castle, stretching 51 miles. It passes along the way through the town of Clitheroe, the Forest of Pendle, and the Forest of Bowland. Both the starting and finishing point of the walk are notable landmarks relating to the Pendle Witches and the Lancaster Witch Trials.
Walk to the Singing Ringing Tree: Outdoor Activities in Burnley for Art Lovers
The Singing Ringing Tree is a wind-powered sound sculpture that looks like a tree. It is elevated in the Pennine Hills range, which overlooks Burnley, Lancashire. The sculpture is part of a four-sculpture series for the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network.
If you plan to spend time outdoors in Burnley, but it is a rainy day, you should check out our other list of things to do in Burnley, which includes many indoor activities. Furthermore, if you intend to stay overnight in Burnley, you should read our list of the best hotels in the area. Have you enjoyed any of these outdoor activities in Burnely? Let us know about your experiences below.
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