Blackburn, Lancashire

Flower Delivery to Blackburn, Lancashire with Clare Florist

Planning to spend your next holiday in Lancashire ’s picturesque town of Blackburn? Here’s some information about this popular family destination that you might find helpful.

Overview

Blackburn is an old town in Lancashire bounded to the south by Darwen and to the north by the Greater Manchester. A former mill town, it was a main producer of textiles from the 13th century until the mid-20th century. The textile manufacturing industry was among the drivers of the town’s rapid expansion and industrialisation, making it one of Lancashire’s largest and progressive towns.

History

One of the oldest towns in England, Blackburn was recorded in 1086 in the Domesday Book as Blacheborne royal manor during the days of Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror. Its name’s origin is uncertain but it is said to be a combination of the old English word for bleach and paired with the word burn.

Two urn burials coming from the Bronze Age discovered in the hills around the Blackburn suggest that there was prehistoric settlement in the Blakewater valley where the town was established. This is further supported by the presence of a sacred spring at the All Hallows Spring located on the Railway Road.

In the end of the 6th century, Blackburn is believed to have seen the beginning of Christianity. Archaeological evidence shows that a church was built in the area between the late 11th century and early 12th century. There was also a market cross nearby erected in the year 1101. Years later, the manor came under the lordship of Henry de Blackburn, who divided it between his two sons.

Landmarks

You will know you’ve reached Blackburn once you see these interesting landmarks.

The Blackburn Cathedral – Formerly St. Mary’s Parish Church, which was re-consecrated in 1826 on the site of the town’s first church, the old parish church gained the cathedral status in 1926. It was particularly chosen for the Archbishop Temple’s cathedral because of its excellent public transport infrastructure. It conveniently stands next the bus and railway stations. It was expanded in the early and mid ‘90s with the existing building serving as the nave.

Statue of Queen Victoria

Just next to the cathedral’s grounds is Queen Victoria’s statue overlooking the bus station. The 11-feet-high, white Sicilian marble statue standing on a grey granite plinth was unveiled to the public in September 1905 by the queen’s fourth daughter Princess Louise, who later became the Duchess of Argyll.

Corporation Park

This is a traditional Victorian park landscaped and opened to the public in 1857. It is considered the town’s main formal park and is popular among the locals for walking, dog walking, tennis, bowling and recreation. It is registered as a Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest, featuring some of the best plants and flowers in Blackburn. It also has playgrounds for children, making it a perfect family destination on weekends.

Witton Country Park

More than just a place for picnic, the Witton Park is a mixed of parkland and woodland. The rest of it is made of either open-access grassland or farmland. It hosts two events annually, the Arts in the Park and Blackburn with Darwin Mela.  It also features play and adventure area for children and adults alike, Blackburn flowers in array of colours, and lots of open spaces for picnic. It has a visitor centre too that exhibits horse-drawn farm machinery, hand tools, and natural history room. Its mammal centre display rabbits, shrews, voles ferrets and many other animals.

Blackburn Market

At the heart of the Town Centre is the Blackburn Market where you can find everything you are looking for, including Meat products, computers, clothes, arts and crafts, souvenirs, foot wear, desserts, health products, and even florists who can send flowers from or to Blackburn.

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