Darwen factfile

How to get to Darwen
Darwen is a small market town in Lancashire which extends onto the West Pennine Moors. The town is spread along the route of the A666 road with Blackburn to the north and Bolton to the south.

Darwen through the ages
Like many towns in Lancashire, Darwen was an important centre for textile production during the Industrial Revolution. Much of the town was built and developed between 1850 and 1900.

Darwen was one of the first places in the world to have steam trams. It was also home to Crown Paints and Wallpapers, the earliest British paint manufacturer, and the inventors of wallpaper.

In 1931, Mahatma Gandhi visited Darwen. He was affectionately received by local workers, despite India's boycott of cotton imports at the time.

Shopping in Darwen
Darwen boasts the largest undercover market in the north west, tucked in among the town's major retail outlets, designer shops and fascinating independent stores.

Eating and drinking in Darwen
Darwen town centre offers more than 20 international restaurants, including traditional British fare and Mediterranean cuisine, plus Indian, Chinese, Cantonese, French, Cajun and tapas restaurants.

Lancashire pubs are famous for their warm welcome, hearty food and fine ales. And with around 30 pubs in Darwen, the visitor has plenty of choice.

Famous people from Darwen
World-renowned painter and illustrator Margaret Chapman was born in Darwen in 1940.

How Darwen got its name
Darwen takes its name from the River Derwent, which in 1208 was recorded as the "Derewent", meaning "the river where oak trees grow".

Famous landmarks in Darwen
Overlooking the town from the moors to the west is Darwen Tower (also known as Jubilee Tower). Built to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, it stands at an altitude of 375 m (1,225 ft) and is 26 m (86 ft) tall.

Arts and Culture in Darwen
Darwen Library Theatre is one of the most popular and successful theatres in the north-west. It provides a wide mix of drama, music and entertainment, along with a comfortable bar and top-class facilities.

Natural beauty spots around Darwen
There are miles of stunningly beautiful countryside around Blackburn and Darwen. The wild moorland walks and natural woodlands of Lancashire's hill country provide a haven for the abundant flora and fauna of the region.