WHAT TO SEE IN DARWEN
Bold Venture Park
This was the second public park to be created in Darwen and is situated on the site of former quarries, the evidence of which can be seen in the upper reaches of the main Park. There is a sculpture trail which you can follow through this park, photos of which can be found in the Green Spaces section of this website. Higher Bold Venture Park continues on the opposite side of Manor Road and leads directly out onto the moors.
There is a map which can be found at the main entrance and at other points in the park revealing the intricate pattern of linked paths which you can follow.For those with mobility issues you should note that there are some steep paths and a number of areas which cannot be passed without using steps. However, it is still possible to visit most parts of the Park whilst avoiding the steps. This walk starts at the main entrance and follows the path up the North side of the park before returning down the centre of the park to the start point.
-
- 1. Map showing location of main features and paths.
-
- 2. The main entrance to Bold Venture Park is at the top of Borough Road. The gates are replacements which were added after the first gates went for salvage in WW2. The present gates carry a Commemoration to the memory of John Gregory who was the Mayor of the Borough of Darwen during WW2 and the man responsible for starting the Spitfire Fund where the townspeople contributed enough donations to purchase a Spitfire for the RAF.
-
- 3. As you enter the Park you will be facing the back of the Darwen War Memorial which is a Grade II* listed building unveiled in 1921.
-
- 4. Take the path down the right hand side of the Memorial towards the lake and the base of the steps.
-
- 5. Take a moment to watch the geese and ducks on the lake and absorb the peace and quiet before moving on. The paths around the South Side can be seen from here, rising through the trees across the lake.
-
- 6. From the bottom of the slope, as you reach the lake, take the steps on your right.
-
- 7. At the top of the steps is a large area where the bandstand once stood, now fitted out as a children’s playground.
-
- 8. Leaving the Playground on your right there are just a few steps up to the path which leads up the North side of the Park through the trees.
-
- 9. Once over the first rise, the path goes into a dip, passing the site of the former greenhouses on your right and the former site of the gent’s toilets on your left.
-
- 10. Keeping on the same path you will then pass the back of the Pergola which was built to replace the Hindle Aviary. This faces the former Rose Gardens.
-
- 11. The path rises steeply from here and you are going to take the next left to the Viewpoint.
-
- 12. The Viewpoint provides an opportunity to look down over the Rose Garden area, the Pergola and the Lake, with the War Memorial in the distance. Recent works have been carried out to remove some of the foliage in front of this point to give a clearer view
-
- 13. Turning away from the Viewpoint, take the left hand path down towards the first of the Knowles bridges.
-
- 14. Looking back you can see the steps just descended and a path for another time leading back down to the Lake.
-
- 15. Turning to face up the hill towards the Knowles bridge again, you will see a connecting path to the North side on your right. Ignore this path and continue to the bridge.
-
- 16. There are three of these bridges in the Park and they were built to replace the original rustic bridges which were found to be unsafe and requiring constant repair.
-
- 17. The water from the moors travels through the Park in a series of streams and ponds until it finally reaches the Lake.
-
- 18. Having crossed the first bridge take the first right to go to the highest point in this lower part of Bold Venture Park.
-
- 19. Looking back from the top of the hill, the left hand path is the one you came up on, the right hand snakes down to join up with the one we are going to follow next, and on the extreme left is the North side path and the second Knowles bridge just out of shot. On the grass in front of you there used to be scientific instruments associated with the Gillibrand Observatory, the base of which is just behind you.
-
- 20. Turn around and follow the path going down the steep hill, curving away into the trees.
-
- 21. As you go down the hill, the Park’s former use as a series of quarries becomes evident. On your right, long overgrown, with trees actually emerging from the cracks in the rock is the sandstone face of one of those quarries.
-
- 22. Carved into the dramatic quarry face is the quarryman and his dog. This is part of the Sculpture Trail which you can find on this website under Green Spaces.
-
- 23. Emerging from under the trees at the bottom of the path you are faced by the labyrinth.
-
- 24. The Labyrinth replaces the Huntington Fountain which, like the gates, was taken for salvage during WW2. There is an instruction for this on the stone under the trees.
-
- 25. Take the path directly opposite the one you entered the Labyrinth from and on your right is the stream which feeds the waterfall.
-
- 26. The railings on your left mark the top of the waterfall. There is an exit at the end of this path to Belgrave Road, and the path going up to the right leads to an exit onto Manor Road
-
- 27. Looking over the railings, the water disappears over the top of the waterfall by the tree on the left. Below you can see the third of the Knowles bridges with the steps leading down .
-
- 28. Take the first left and you will find the top of the steps leading down to the Knowles bridge. The steps can be avoided by following the path beyond the steps to find the South side path which slopes gently down to the Lake.
-
- 29. Follow the steps which twist their way down to the bridge for a view of the waterfall.
-
- 30. I find it hard to believe that as a boy I used to run down these steps at speed!
-
- 31. The view of the waterfall from the bridge.
-
- 32. Looking back after crossing the bridge you can see the steps you have just come down, and the waterfall is to your right.
-
- 33. Follow the path around to your right and this will lead you down to the former Shorrock Drinking Fountain and the Western side of the Lake.
-
- 34. From here, looking across the Lake, the War Memorial and Main Gate are hidden behind the centre tree.
-
- 35. Turn left at the Shorrock Drinking Fountain and you will be approaching the former Rose Garden and Pergola.
-
- 36. This is the site of the former Rose Garden. The Pergola is up on the right hand side and the Viewpoint is at the top of the slope in the centre of the picture.
-
- 37. This mosaic is on the floor of the Pergola and represents the birds from the Aviary which stood on this spot.
-
- 38. Keeping the railings around the Lake on your right, follow the path round to the front of the War Memorial.
-
- 39. The spectacular front view of the War Memorial carries both the Borough Arms and an inscription Commemorating those who died in both World Wars.
-
- 40. The view of the Lake from the South side. From here make your way up the side of the War Memorial to the Main Gate.
If you wish to see Whitehall Park please click on the button.
If you wish to see Sunnyhurst Wood please click on the button.
What To See In Darwen
Listed Buildings in Darwen & Hoddlesden
Blue Plaques
Green Trail
Town Centre Trail
Industrial Heritage Trail
Listed Buildings in Tockholes