OUT AND ABOUT: Blackburn's 'Top 10' visitor attractions

Blackburn Cathedral

RATING: 4.5 Stars

Blackburn Cathedral is one of England's newest cathedrals, yet it is one of the country's oldest places of Christian worship.

For many centuries, this has been the Parish Church of Blackburn dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. It continues as a place of prayer and worship and is now at the centre of the Diocese which takes in almost the whole of Lancashire.

Address: Cathedral Close, Blackburn BB1 5AA, England

Phone Number: 01254 503090

REVIEW: "Simply entering the Cathedral fills me with a sense of awe and courage. On the lawn, I've had some great times listening to local bands and playing football with youngsters who are not quite good enough to play with an Old Boltonian like me!" SethMould

Thwaites Empire Theatre

RATING: 4.5 Stars

Thwaites Empire Theatre opened it's doors in October 2002. Just 3 years later a balcony was added.

On the 14th of November 2005 the major refurbishment of the old Empire building was completed and the New Thwaites Empire Theatre was opened as a complete theatre seating a total of 320.

The dream of those early visionaries has been realised. Blackburn once again has a thriving live theatre and arts centre of which it is justifiably proud.

Address: Aqueduct Road, Ewood, Blackburn, BB2 4HT

Phone Number: 01254 685 500

REVIEW: "We went to see Queen tribute band on Saturday. It was a great night. We had seats 4 rows from the front but in the past I have sat elsewhere in the theatre and the seats were fine. I don't think there are any bad seats.

In the past , drinks from the Bar were not allowed in the theatre, but they are now. It's good to pre-order your interval drinks and they will be waiting poured ready for you.

They use small individual bottles of wine by the way.
It's good support a small community theatre and I look forward to seeing more shows. They have huge variety of shows throughout the year. Give it a whirl!" Wolfie16

Ewood Park

RATING: 4.5 Stars

Ewood Park opened in 1882 as a multi-sports ground. Blackburn Rovers first only occasionally used the ground, but started using it regularly from 1890.

Ewood Park developed quickly in the early 20th century when new stands were built and the capacity of the stadium quickly rose.

Few changes were made in the following decades, apart from the installation of floodlights and cover for the Blackburn End terrace.

In 1984, the Nuttal Street Stand was rebuilt after it had burned down in a fire. A few years later the wooden Riverside Stand was demolished and replaced by a new single-tiered stand.

After Jack Walker had taken over the Rovers in 1991, he announced a large redevelopment plan to turn Ewood Park into a modern arena. In early 1994, two new stands at the short ends opened and the redevelopment was completed a few months later with the opening of the Jack Walker Stand.

Address: Nuttall Street, Blackburn BB2 4JF, England

REVIEW: "Came here with 7000 other Leeds fans to watch us play Blackburn Rovers. Tidy ground, good seating behind the goal & unlike a lot of clubs, they are happy to serve alcohol. Pity about the dodgy penalty that cost us the result, but a good day out." Chris H

Witton Country Park

RATING: 4.5 Stars

Witton Country Park comprises of 480 acres of beautiful mixed woodland, parkland, amenity grassland and farmland.

Witton has earned and retained the prestigious Green Flag Award status. The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy, is the national standard for parks and green spaces.

The park has many areas which have either level access or are accessible via the use of ramps and hand rails.

Address: Preston Old Road, Blackburn BB2 2TP, England

Phone Number: 01254 691239

REVIEW: "Lovely park, excellent play areas for the children, including a great adventure playground. Nice surroundings. Really good Pavilion Cafe. Great signposted walks. Very modern conference centre/arena. Good for a dog walk but careful of other dog walkers that don't pick up the poop! Would visit again in the warmer weather!" Natalie S

King Georges Hall

RATING: 4 Stars

King Georges Hall is one of the finest concert halls in the North West, hosting a wide range of shows, entertainment and concerts.

Inside King George’s many original features have been retained, including much of the original feature plaster work. In the main auditorium not only has all the original plaster work been retained, but also the magnificent Art Deco house lights.

All these original features have been retained thanks to the sympathetic renovation programme carried out in 1994, and today King George’s Hall tastefully combines the grandeur of its theatre tradition, with the modern technology and facilities that today’s productions require.

Address: Northgate, Blackburn BB2 1AA , England

Phone Number: (01254) 582579

REVIEW: "We visited the venue because us the monthly comedy club shown there. There were lots of other shows advertised and the building seemed very well maintained. My only comment would be that drinks are very expensive but I guess that's where they make their profit." Gemma M

Chapels Spa

RATING: 4.5 Stars

CHAPELS SPA at Brockhall Village is set in the heart of the Ribble Valley in Lancashire amidst beautiful countryside.

It is a retreat from busy lives, somewhere to relax, unwind and be pampered by the fully qualified, dedicated team of therapists.

Address: 16 The Drive | Brockhall Village - Old Langho, Blackburn BB6 8BJ

Phone Number: 01254 245601

REVIEW: "I visit Chapels Spa every few months to recharge my batteries, this place is fabulous, gives me an opportunity to spend special relaxing time with my closest friend and the treatments are superb, Claire and Jade are excellent masseurs and Alison is professional, welcoming and friendly - I cannot understand how anyone could score this place less than 5 stars." Lorraine

Three B’s Brewery

RATING: 5 Stars

Three B's Brewery was founded in 2001 by Robert Bell, whose love, dedication and over twenty years experience in the art of traditional beer making, is embodied in the beers produced.

Only the finest ingredients are used in all of the beers, with no artificial additives, producing beers to satisfy the most sensitive and discerning palates.

For many years Robert Bell brewed beer from his garage at home as his favourite hobby.

Address: Brokenstone Road, Blackburn BB3 0LL

Phone Number: 01254 581381

REVIEW: "Been coming here often over the 3 years and I have to say it is a real ale lovers paradise! 8 cask beers availble from cask lager to strong dark porter you have try this beer drinkers heaven. The taste of Roberts beers is outstanding." Bryck

Blackburn Arena

RATING: 3.5 Stars

Whether you're looking for a fun family day out or you've set your sights on being the next olympic gold medal skater, Blackburn Ice Arena has it all.

As the North West's Regional Centre of Ice Skating Excellence, this premier ice skating facility offers something for everyone.

With year round skating, disco sessions for both juniors and seniors, family skating and holiday fun.

You can also catch champions Blackburn Hawks in action on weekends.

Address: Lower Audley, Blackburn BB2 3DY

Phone Number: 08712 223388

REVIEW: "My 2 teens take lessons here and love the arena and the lessons. The tutors are great and make good progress with students of all abilities. I bought all my nieces and nephews a session here as a christmas present. Good fun. Wrap up warm if you are spectating as it is, er, very cold there." Julie T

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery

RATING: 4 Stars

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery houses a rich and fascinating collection covering fine art, decorative art, Egyptology, coins, manuscripts and natural history.

The Museum and art gallery hosts a wide range of exhibitions, events and activities and also has collections of Japanese prints, the Hart collection of books, coins and medieval manuscripts, an award-winning South Asian gallery, the history of Blackburn, the Egyptian Mummy, Fine and Decorative Art and the Bowdler collection of world beetles.

Address: Richmond Terrace and Museum Street., Blackburn BB1 7AJ

Phone Number: (01254) 585585

REVIEW: "We normally pop in when visiting Blackburn as it is a very nice museum and they have different exhibitions apart from the items that are normally there. At the moment it is about World War I. One room gives information about the cotton industry in Blackburn with some of the various types of looms that were invented and of the men who invented them. There is a room about Egyptology which has on display the skull of a mummy." Viv

Mrs Dowsons Farm

RATING: 3.5 Stars

Mrs Dowsons Farm is a family-run dairy farm that has diversified into making ice cream, using milk from their own cows that you can see in the green pastures around the park. Their philosophy is to make real honest ice cream, by incorporating real natural ingredients rather than any artificial flavours.

On the farm, they are passionate about giving children (and adults alike) the opportunity to see, touch and even handle, under handlers supervision, the animals.

Address: Longsight Road, Clayton-le-dale, Blackburn BB2 7JA

Phone Number: 01254 812407

REVIEW: "Such fun, lush ice cream, helpful staff. Great prices very tasty ice cream & lots of choice. Great little farm & play area all round winner." LilAdventurer