From the town’s architectural gems to hidden histories and family-friendly activities, residents and visitors alike can discover more about East Lancashire.
Accrington
- Accrington Stanley Football Club, Wham Stadium, Livingstone Road, BB5 5BX
17 September: Behind-the-scenes tour exploring the club’s history. Pre-booking required.
- Moorside House, Burnley Road, BB5 5UL
Multiple dates available: Guided tour of the Grade II listed house and gardens, once home to suffrage pioneer Lydia Ernstine Becker. Pre-booking required.
- Raza Jamia Masjid, 39 Lower Antley Street, BB5 0BA
20 September: Exhibition and tours of one of the UK’s largest mosques.
- St James Church, Cannon Street, BB5 2ER
21 September: Explore the church (dating to 1546) and its architectural beauty.
- Accrington Town Hall, Blackburn Road, BB5 1LA
15 September: Tour with the Mayor of Hyndburn, including the Mayor’s Parlour, ballroom, bust of Sir Robert Peel, and council chambers.
- Accrington Library, St James Street, BB5 1NQ
Multiple dates available: Explore the Grade II listed Carnegie library, a town landmark since 1908.
READ MORE: Meet Paddington at Mrs Dowsons Farm Park in September
Burnley
- Burnley Central Library, Grimshaw Street, BB11 2BD
Until 15 September • 9am–5pm
Local history displays in the library meeting room. (Lift currently unavailable, contact the library for accessibility).
- Burnley on Film, Burnley Mechanics Theatre, Manchester Road, B11 1BH
15 September • 11:30am, 1pm, 2pm: A film show by Burnley Film Makers, featuring films from the 1940s–1980s plus a new production by local schools with Blaze Arts.
Find out more here.
- Burnley Town Centre Vintage & Performance Car Show, St James’s Street, BB11 1PY
14 September from 11am–4pm: Classic and retro cars and motorbikes on display along St James’s Street to Curzon Street. Special appearances by Optimus and Bumblebee at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.
- Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Queen Street, Harle Syke, BB10 2HX
14 September from 12pm–4pm: The last steam-powered weaving shed in the world. Textile demonstrations, authentic displays, and behind-the-scenes access.
Find out more here.
September 10 • 2pm–4pm: Explore the Grade II listed landmark, recently restored.
READ MORE: 7 East Lancs residents who have been named and fined for illegal waste dumping
Darwen
- The Stone Masons Art: The Architectural Heritage of Darwen, Darwen Heritage Centre, Holker House, Railway Road, BB3 2RG
Multiple dates – no booking required: Step inside Darwen Heritage Centre to explore the town’s architectural story. With a photo contest, educational walks, children’s activities, and creative colouring sessions, this family-friendly event celebrates the craft and heritage of stone masonry in Darwen.
- Heritage Service – Rev Henry Townsend, Lower Chapel, Chapels, BB3 0EE
Sunday 21 September – no booking required: Learn the story of Rev Henry Townsend, who arrived in 1793 as Minister of a breakaway group from Lower Chapel. Discover why the split occurred, and what followed, with a service featuring music, history, and costume.
READ MORE: Heritage Open Days return to Rossendale with free events
- Friends of St Paul’s Churchyard – Heritage Days & Cream Tea, Carus Centre, 1 Sydney Street, Hoddlesden, BB3 3LZ
Multiple dates – no booking required: Uncover the history of Hoddlesden and its surrounding areas while enjoying a traditional cream tea.
- Explore the oldest church in Darwen
St James, Over Darwen, Winterton Road, BB3 3AJ
Saturday 20 September – no booking required
Guided tours from architectural specialists, heritage-themed activities, and the unveiling of artefacts from the church’s collection all feature in this deep dive into the story of St James, Darwen’s oldest church.
- Display of photographs & information – Dorothy Whipple
Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall Street, BB2 1AG
Multiple dates – no booking required
A small display celebrates author Dorothy Whipple’s Blackburn connections. The showcase also promotes Dorothy Whipple: Beyond The Pages, a new film commissioned by the library with support from Arts Council England, to appear on Cotton Town this summer.
- Darwen Vale High School – Archives & Coffee Morning, Blackburn Road, BB3 0AL
Saturday 20 September – no booking required
Step inside the school’s original 1930s building to explore archives and photographs, alongside the popular Museum of Memory. A Macmillan Coffee Morning will also be hosted on-site.
- Darwen Tower Guided Walk with Ribble Rivers Trust
Starting at Sunnyhurst Woods Car Park, BB3 1JX
Friday 12 September – booking required
Enjoy a guided walk through Sunnyhurst Woods and Tockholes Plantation, finishing at Jubilee Tower. Along the way, learn about the local environment and landscape from Ribble Rivers Trust.
With everything from children’s crafts to historic displays and guided countryside walks, Darwen’s Heritage Open Days offer something for all ages and interests.
Rossendale
- Rossendale Civic Trust – Fifty Years and Forward
The Weavers Cottage, Fall Barn Fold, BB4 7NW
Multiple dates – no booking required
Celebrate fifty years of ownership and the ongoing restoration of this 18th-century listed building.
- Crawshawbooth Quaker Meeting House, 13 Co-Operation Street, BB4 8AG
Multiple dates – no booking required
Step inside this early 18th-century Grade II* listed Meeting House, set in a walled peace garden and burial ground near the historic Limey Water packhorse bridge. Learn about its origins and role as a schoolhouse.
READ MORE: Rossendale’s X-RAYS to perform Take That musical The Band
- Haslingden Library, Deardengate, Haslingden, BB4 5QL
Saturday 13 September – no booking required
A special exhibition will showcase photographs, pamphlets, and scrapbooks telling the story of Haslingden through the decades.
- Museum on the Move: Walking Tour
Starts at Haslingden Library, BB4 5QJ
Saturday 13 September – booking required
Join a guided walking tour of the Museum on the Move project, exploring the town’s history through the stories of local businesses.
- British History Quiz – Rawtenstall Library, Haslingden Road, BB4 6QU
Wednesday 17 September – no booking required: Test your knowledge at a British-history themed coffee morning.
These events are part of the National Heritage Open Days festival, the largest celebration of history and culture in England.
Full event listings and booking details can be found at: Heritage Open Days.
