Great Days Out in Accrington and Hyndburn

I've lived and worked in Accrington for over three decades, and I still find new corners of this area to enjoy. Whether you're after a gentle stroll, a bit of history or a proper family day out, Hyndburn has far more than you might expect. Let me share some of my favourite places and the heritage that makes this neighbourhood so characterful.

A morning of art and history in Accrington town centre

Start your day in the centre of Accrington, where the Victorian architecture tells the story of a proud industrial past. Accrington Town Hall opened in 1858 as the Peel Institution and remains a Grade II* listed building that commemorates Sir Robert Peel. It's well worth a look as you pass.

Just a short walk away, Accrington Market Hall has been serving the town since 1868. Designed by Liverpool architect John Francis Doyle, this Grade II listed Victorian market is still a bustling hub of stalls and events. I love popping in for the atmosphere and a browse.

If you're an art lover, don't miss the Haworth Art Gallery in Haworth Park. It houses the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany glass in Europe, gifted by Accrington-born designer Joseph Briggs. The gallery itself is a beautiful 1909 Tudor-style mansion, and entry is free. It's the kind of hidden gem that makes you proud to be local.

Remembering the Accrington Pals

One of the most moving local stories is that of the Accrington Pals. They were a volunteer battalion raised in 1914, officially the 11th (Service) Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment, and they suffered devastating losses at Serre on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Oak Hill Park is home to the Accrington war memorial honouring these brave men. The stone obelisk was unveiled on 1 July 1922, the sixth anniversary of that fateful day. It's a quiet, reflective place to pause and remember.

Parks, woods and wide open spaces

When the sun shines, there's nowhere better than Peel Park and the adjoining Coppice. Peel Park opened in 1909 with a lake, gardens and bandstand, and together with the Coppice it forms one of the largest Local Nature Reserves in Lancashire. A walk up to the Peel Monument rewards you with panoramic views over the town and beyond. It's a real lung of fresh air right on the doorstep.

For a more formal park setting, Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle has a coach house cafe, play area and bowling green, and has held Green Flag Awards. Great Harwood Memorial Park, opened in 1926, offers woodland, formal gardens and a bandstand, and it too has earned Green Flag status. Both are lovely for a picnic or a lazy afternoon.

If you prefer towpaths to flowerbeds, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs right through Hyndburn, passing Church, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton. Britain's longest single canal at 127 miles, its exact halfway point is marked at Church. The towpath is perfect for walking and cycling, and the Hyndburn Greenway links up with it to give largely traffic-free routes. National Cycle Route 6 also passes through the area, so you can explore on two wheels.

More local gems worth a short drive

Oswaldtwistle Mills is a fantastic shopping village in a former cotton weaving mill just off M65 Junction 7. It opened in 1994 and brings together retailers, a garden centre, restaurants and a food hall, with a wildfowl reserve in the grounds. It's a great place to spend a few hours, especially if the weather is changeable.

For a taste of the countryside, head to Wycoller Country Park, about 25 minutes east. It's free to visit and has ancient bridges, the ruins of Wycoller Hall, and links to Charlotte Bronte, who is thought to have based Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre on the hall. The atmosphere is wonderfully atmospheric.

Pendle Hill is another well-known walk, just a short drive away. At 557 metres, it's famed for its witch trial history and sweeping views, and a popular ascent starts from the Nick of Pendle above Sabden. Closer to home, the West Pennine Moors offer extensive open access walking on Hyndburn's doorstep, including the glaciated valley of Haslingden Grane and surrounding reservoirs.

A quick nod to local history (and pies)

The Hyndburn area grew as a cotton weaving, calico printing and brickmaking centre in the 19th century, and that heritage is visible everywhere. Accrington gave its name to the iron hard NORI engineering brick, made at Altham from 1887. These bricks were used in the foundations of Blackpool Tower, and local tradition says they also helped build the Empire State Building. It's a lovely story, even if the records are a little hazy.

Oswaldtwistle is associated with James Hargreaves, inventor of the spinning jenny, while Great Harwood was home to John Mercer, the self taught chemist who invented the mercerisation process. Mercer Hall and the town clock commemorate him. And in Baxenden, Holland's Pies has been making its famous pies at a former cotton mill since 1929. A proper Lancashire pie is essential after a long walk.

Football fans might enjoy knowing that the original Accrington F.C. was one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888, though it later dissolved. Today Accrington Stanley play at the Wham Stadium, and their name became famous nationwide thanks to the 1989 milk advert. If you haven't visited a match, it's a friendly local experience.

Why it's a lovely place to live

All of this heritage and green space is part of what makes Hyndburn such a lovely place to call home. We're surrounded by the Pennines and the West Pennine Moors, yet we're connected: Accrington sits about 4 miles east of Blackburn, 6 miles west of Burnley and roughly 20 miles north of Manchester. The M65 runs along the southern edge with Junction 7 handy for Accrington and Oswaldtwistle, and there's a direct hourly train from Accrington to Manchester Victoria via the East Lancashire line. You can be in the city when you need to be, then come home to open countryside.

Our housing stock reflects the area's history, with lovely Victorian terraced houses, older stone farmhouses and cottages, and ten conservation areas. Hyndburn consistently ranks among the most affordable places in England and Wales according to official ONS data, which makes it especially popular with first time buyers and investors. You get so much for your money compared with many other parts of the North West.

A friendly invitation

If you're thinking about moving to Accrington or any of the Hyndburn towns, or if you're just curious what your home might be worth here, I'd be delighted to help. Our team at Sharp Estate Agents has been part of this community for over 34 years, and we know the area inside out. Whether you're buying, selling, letting or renting, we're happy to offer friendly, honest advice. Get in touch with us for a chat or a free valuation. We'd love to welcome you.