Surrounded by hills and reservoirs Darwen snuggles in the valley of the river which it takes it’s name.

In the town are a number of historic buildings and a thriving market. Don’t label Darwen as just another cotton town. There is no such thing, as a visit to this river town will prove.

The library was originally located in the Peel Baths complex in 1871 and has privately operated until taken over by the council in 1890, the borough then appointed Betsy Bannister as its first chief librarian. She was the first lady to be appointed to such a post in the whole of England.

The present imposing building was constructed in 1908 and opened by the benefactor Andrew Carnegie. The library like many Carnegie funded libraries also house an impressive lecture theatre.

From the library stroll along Railway Road.

Between the library and the parish church are a number of impressive buildings including the former Wesleyan chapel visited by John Wesley in 1759 and 1761. The present building, not now a place of worship, was built in the mid 1860s during the American Civil War and what became known as the cotton famine which brought Lancashire almost, but thankfully not quite, to the brink of ruin. Look out also for fire escape house close to a slope leading to a market area. This was built in 1888 to house a state of the art 60ft escape ladder.

The parish church itself is well worth a short diversion. Many people have been confused by the fact that the church changed its name from Holy Trinity to St Peter’s in 1974. The church was built in 1829 as the profits from the cotton industry led to an increase in both population and affluence.

In 1878 a splendid clock was added to the tower along with a peal of six bells.

The name change was thought to be necessary as other churches nearby were closed namely St Paul’s at Hoddlesden and St John’s and St George’s in the town itself.

From the church continue along Church Street passing the circus on the right and on to Bolton Road.

On the right look for the old tramway waiting rooms on Belgrave Square. The square was leased from James Greenway for 999 years and dated 2nd December 1867. I love exploring the almost forgotten pieces of history which make each town trail unique.

This waiting room was a terminus for the steam tramway to Blackburn which opened in 1881. Also impressive is the incorporated Boer War Memorial. Turn right onto Bank Bottom and approach the green on the right.

Just as important to the history of a town are its old hostelries and the most impressive is the White Lion. This was in existence long before 1799, when it was described as a loom shop proving Darwen had a textile pedigree dating back centuries.

Bear right ignoring the turn off to Green Street. Here’s the cobbled Wellington Fold, on which once stood the ancient manor house, after serving as a beer house and then was the ‘old vets’. This was a club used by the ex-servicemen but it now serves as a nightclub.

Near Union Street is the ancient crossing of the river Darwen which was spanned as early as Roman times and before that there may well have been a ford used during the Bronze Age. Look out here for the New Inn which is anything but new. Although rebuilt in 1961 the site was in use by 1797 and built in association with a new Turnpike Road. The hotel was popular with coach travellers. From Market Street turn right onto Union Street and right again into Knott Street.

Here is the splendid former technical school which opened in 1894 and served as the town grammar school until 1939 and a college, until recently, when it is set for re-development. I always feel a little sad when these historic establishments are abandoned and replaced by modern establishments, which will not survive so well and not have such physical attractions.

Continue along Knott Street to the library and starting point.