WHAT TO SEE IN DARWEN
Whitehall Park
Whitehall Park was the first public park to be created in Darwen. The first stage of the Park was opened in 1879 and then added to as further land was purchased. The last part to be opened was the stretch from the Main Entrance to the track separating the two parts of the Park. The natural features of the area contributed to the landscaping of the Park with good use being made of the natural streams draining from the moors.
In earlier times the Park was full of colourful flower beds, planted out each season. In recent times the Park has been looked after by the Whitehall Park Supporters Group who have been instrumental in developing the community garden and their latest venture, the community orchard.
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- 1. The information board which can be found at various positions within the Park.
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- 2. Start your walk here at the Lych Gate on Queen’s Road. This is the last part of Whitehall Park to be developed, connecting the rest of the Park with the main road.
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- 3. Straight facing you are the remains of the Walmsley Sundial which was donated in 1911, on the same day as the main gate was officially opened to mark the Coronation of George V.
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- 4. Turn right to go up the hill. At this point there is only the one path to follow.
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- 5. Further up the path you will notice railings on your left – this is known as the duck pond, although you rarely see any ducks there.
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- 6. No ducks today! With the excessive amounts of water running down from the moors a lot of the ponds are silted up and need clearing. Work is in hand to slow the rate of flow further up beyond the park to ease this problem. When the Park was first created the water was channelled through stone built gulleys and ponds, and part of the wall for this duck pond can be seen on the right.
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- 7. Beyond the duck pond is the boundary wall for the old cemetery. From this point onwards the stream flows underground until it emerges on the opposite side of the main road.
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- 8. Just beyond the duck pond is the track which separates the two parts of the Park. From here the path rises more steeply, and different routes can be followed through this upper part with a choice of inter-linked pathways.
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- 9. On the right is the duck pond you have just passed, and this is the track which separates the two parts of the Park. Looking this way the track is coming from Whitehall Road.
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- 10. Looking the other way the track splits into two further up and forms a public right of way past Brookside Farm on the way up to the moors to the right and skirts the old cemetery to the left.
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- 11. Crossing over the track into the upper part of Whitehall Park the first thing you come to is the site of the former greenhouses which is now a Rose and Sensory Garden created by the Whitehall Park Supporters Group.
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- 12. Take the time to go through the gate and enjoy the pleasant surroundings of this garden area. Sit a while on the benches and rest before tackling the steeper part of the Park.
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- 13. Back outside the Sensory Garden you turn right and are faced with a choice of two paths. Keep to the right hand path and you will return via the left hand one later.
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- 14. Staying on the right hand path you will eventually reach the former Catlow Drinking Fountain. This has been renovated but is no longer in use as a drinking fountain.
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- 15. Beyond the Catlow Drinking Fountain, follow the path , keeping to the right, all the way to the top of the Park.
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- 16. More evidence of the work of the Whitehall Park Supporters Group with this planted area on the right. Outside the boundary hedge is Whitehall Road.
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- 17. Glancing back at the Catlow Drinking Fountain you can see why, with its grace, elegance and quality of casting, this is Grade II listed.
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- 18. Further up the path curves around into a much more open space with many paths to choose from. In the past this area is where the bandstand was, and a shelter for those who came to listen to the music. The actual spot for the bandstand is now being converted into a Community Orchard to complement the Community Garden down by the Sensory Garden and run by the Whitehall Park Supporters Group.
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- 19. Take care as you walk this part of the park as there has been some water damage to the path.
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- 20. This is the site for the new Community Orchard which is under construction. Keep to the right still as you make your way to the top of the Park.
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- 21. These open grassed slopes were once covered in floral displays created with the products of the Park greenhouses.
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- 22. From the back of the Orchard plot you get a sense of the spaciousness of this part of the Park.
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- 23. As you approach the top of the Park there is an exit to the right from where you can gain access to the moors beyond. We shall turn left at this point and stay inside the Park.
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- 24. This is the path across the top of the Park and leads to another open space where once a cannon, from the Crimean Wars possibly, used to stand.
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- 25. A quieter stretch of pathway through the Park at the end of which it opens out to reveal a space where once Scout Patrol Leaders camps were held.
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- 26. Looking back from the far end of the open space, the remains of the cannon can be seen. The cannon itself was taken for salvage during WW2. To the right of the picture is a wild flower meadow, just out of view. Follow the path around the back of the field and keep right on the way back down.
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- 27. The path moves back into the trees and you keep right to find the railings around what was known as the Lover’s Glen.
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- 28. Here are the railings you are looking for. Beyond the railings the ground drops away sharply, providing a spectacular waterfall when the stream is in full flow.
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- 29. Looking over the railings, this is the point where the stream from the moors enters the Park.
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- 30. Follow the railings down the hill, and at the end of the railings turn right to find the bridge.
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- 31. This is the Whitehall Park Supporters Group ‘Starbuck’ Bridge, named after one of their members. From here you have a good view of the Lover’s Glen – part natural waterfall over the rocks, part man made stone walling to direct the water over a series of falls.
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- 32. The Glen as seen from the Starbuck Bridge.
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- 33. Victorian engineering.
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- 34. The man made channel and steps to direct the water, built in the 19th century and still good in the 21st.
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- 35. From the bridge follow the path by the stream down the hill.
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- 36. At this point the two streams, from the North side and the South join together before falling through a series of ponds.
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- 37. The stream then passes through the pond in which stands the ornamental Lightbown Fountain. Donated in 1886 by Mayoress Mrs T Lightbown.
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- 38. From the last pond the stream drops down a gulley into a ‘well’ shaped construction before going underground until it reaches the duck pond. From here you follow the path down until you re-cross the track separating the two parts of the Park and continue down towards the main entrance.
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- 39. Just before you reach the main entrance you will find a children’s playground on your right, next to the Whitehall Bowling Club.
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- 40. Leave by the Main Entrance gate which was opened in 1911 to celebrate the Coronation of King George V. To return to the Lych gate, turn left here up Queen’s Road
If you wish to see Bold Venture Park please click on the button.
If you wish to see Sunnyhurst Wood please click on the button.
What To See In Darwen
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Blue Plaques
Green Trail
Town Centre Trail
Industrial Heritage Trail
Listed Buildings in Tockholes