Summer in Darwen

Walks, views, cold drinks and days out worth making plans for.

Get outside in Darwen this Summer

Fresh-air routes, moorland views and local walks worth lacing up for.

Make the most of the lighter days with walks, views and green spaces close to the town centre. Darwen is lucky to have countryside right on the doorstep, so you can go from shops, cafés and Market Square to proper fresh air without travelling far.

Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower)
#1 of 13 things to do in Darwen
Outdoors & Nature Walking / Hiking Free

Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower)

Darwen Hill / Beacon Hill, Darwen

Sitting high above Darwen, the Tower is one of the town’s best-known landmarks, with moorland walks, wide-open views and a story rooted in local pride.

Bold Venture Park
#2 of 13 things to do in Darwen
Outdoors & Nature Parks & Green Spaces Family Friendly Free

Bold Venture Park

Borough Road, Darwen

A beautiful historic park with a lake, waterfalls, woodland walks, a children’s playground and paths leading towards Darwen Tower and the open moors.

Outdoors & Nature Parks & Green Spaces

Shorey Bank

Shorey Bank, Union Street, Darwen

A compact riverside green space close to Darwen town centre, with walking paths, open space and a children’s play area.

Outdoors & Nature Walking / Hiking Family Friendly Free

Sunnyhurst Wood

Earnsdale Road, Sunnyhurst, Darwen

A historic wooded valley with seven miles of paths, flowing streams, wildlife and family-friendly routes leading towards Earnsdale Reservoir and Darwen Tower.

Outdoors & Nature Parks & Green Spaces Family Friendly Free

Whitehall Park

Whitehall Park, Whitehall Road, Darwen

A much-loved Darwen park with mature trees, open green space, historic features, community gardens and a recently transformed children’s playground.

Summer stops in Darwen

Cold drinks, coffee stops and summer bites.

Stock up for summer at Darwen Market

Summer BBQs, picnic picks and fresh market produce

Family things to do in Darwen

Easy ideas for keeping the kids busy.

From story sessions and swimming to shows, creative activities and places to play outside, Darwen has plenty of simple ideas for keeping the kids busy this summer.

Bold Venture Park
#2 of 13 things to do in Darwen
Outdoors & Nature Parks & Green Spaces Family Friendly Free

Bold Venture Park

Borough Road, Darwen

A beautiful historic park with a lake, waterfalls, woodland walks, a children’s playground and paths leading towards Darwen Tower and the open moors.

Outdoors & Nature Walking / Hiking Family Friendly Free

Sunnyhurst Wood

Earnsdale Road, Sunnyhurst, Darwen

A historic wooded valley with seven miles of paths, flowing streams, wildlife and family-friendly routes leading towards Earnsdale Reservoir and Darwen Tower.

Attraction Skatepark / Urban Sports Centre Family Friendly

Junction 4 Urban Sports Village

Junction 4 Urban Sports Village, Blackburn Road, Darwen

A major indoor and outdoor sports facility for BMX, scooters, skateboards and mountain bikes, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to elite riders.

Outdoors & Nature Parks & Green Spaces Family Friendly Free

Whitehall Park

Whitehall Park, Whitehall Road, Darwen

A much-loved Darwen park with mature trees, open green space, historic features, community gardens and a recently transformed children’s playground.

Heritage & History Free Family Friendly

Darwen Library

Knott Street, Darwen

A welcoming historic library offering books, free digital access, local history resources and activities for children, families and adults.

Culture Theatre Family Friendly

Darwen Library Theatre

Knott Street, Darwen

A welcoming 206-seat theatre bringing comedy, music, drama, cinema, family shows and live entertainment to the heart of Darwen.

Summer events in Darwen

Family activities, live music, festivals and community events happening across Darwen.
Orange River Remedy
Live Music

Orange River Remedy

Wednesday 23 September 2026 · 7:30pm
Darwen Library Theatre

Orange River Remedy take you on a journey down memory lane with their celebration of Neil Young's legendary album, Harvest - the biggest selling…

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Baga Chipz Bagz to Riches
Theatre & Entertainment

Baga Chipz Bagz to Riches

Thursday 24 September 2026 · 7:30pm
Darwen Library Theatre

Join the international drag superstar and Ru Paul’s Drag Race icon for a night at the theatre Star of stage and screen, Baga is…

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Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders
Live Music

Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders

Thursday 1 October 2026 · 7:30pm
Darwen Library Theatre

Andy Fairweather Low, former lead singer of Amen Corner, brings his remarkable band to Darwen Library Theatre. With a career spanning collaborations with Eric…

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Rhys James Chop Logic
Theatre & Entertainment

Rhys James Chop Logic

Saturday 3 October 2026 · 7:30pm
Darwen Library Theatre

A fast, forensic show of big ideas and gag-dense overthinking from one of the nation’s sharpest stand-ups. Star of Mock The Week, QI, and…

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