Darwen Heritage Centre

Darwen Heritage Centre COMMUNITY | HERITAGE | ARTS Doctor James T Ballantyne later owned Holker House when he became Mayor in 1898. It was used as office space until 2015.

In the1870s Dr George Hindle built Holker House on Railway Road to the design of George Wightman of Darwen, He named it after Holker House, which comes from the family home of the Hindles in Hoddlesden which was built in 1591. To celebrate his Mayoral term, he presented the town with our town hall clock which still lets us know the time today. Subsequently it became the Divisional Education Office

for Darwen Division until 1974, when it became the Area Education Architects' Office. From 1985 until 2005 it was used by Blackburn College. Unfortunately, it was abandoned by the College and allowed to fall into disrepair until acquired in late 2007 by Steven Milligan who meticulously renovated the building. In February 2016 The Livesey Foundation charity bought the house with intensions to make it available to the people of Darwen for a variety of community projects. Our intention is to make it available to the town for a variety of community purposes such as Charity/social meetings and events, exhibitions, venue for councilors, tourist information and much more. But most importantly it will become home to The Darwen Heritage Centre where we will be able to display to the world the history, culture, past and present of our amazing town! Holker House will be not-for-profit and will become a major attraction and community focal point for the town. If you would like to contribute to this exciting project, please contact us……..

Even though you can see the growth of the industrial units through the clearings, once back into the trees there is a se...
09/06/2026

Even though you can see the growth of the industrial units through the clearings, once back into the trees there is a serenity about the place.

Take note of the other public footpaths passing through the wood and beyond. We need to keep walking these routes to av...
08/06/2026

Take note of the other public footpaths passing through the wood and beyond. We need to keep walking these routes to avoid losing them.

It will be interesting to see how the wood is developing when I get the chance to repeat this walk this summer. Take ti...
07/06/2026

It will be interesting to see how the wood is developing when I get the chance to repeat this walk this summer. Take time to take in the views as it may not be long before the developers build all around this wood.

I wonder how many people still do not know of the presence of Polyphemus Wood. I also wonder if they know why it is cal...
06/06/2026

I wonder how many people still do not know of the presence of Polyphemus Wood. I also wonder if they know why it is called Polyphemus. That was the name of one of the ships in Nelson's command.

Knowls Fold is an interesting collection of properties and still retains open views across to the North of Darwen.
05/06/2026

Knowls Fold is an interesting collection of properties and still retains open views across to the North of Darwen.

The house building which has taken place here recently may mean that you have to come back this way and continue up the ...
04/06/2026

The house building which has taken place here recently may mean that you have to come back this way and continue up the hill as the footpath across the back of Knowle School may be blocked.

I wonder how many people attended Lower Chapel School over the years. Fond memories for me of this place. The school a...
03/06/2026

I wonder how many people attended Lower Chapel School over the years. Fond memories for me of this place. The school and the little shop on the corner where I got my sweets.

Chapels like many places in Darwen has changed quite a lot over the years but there is still evidence of a lot of the hi...
02/06/2026

Chapels like many places in Darwen has changed quite a lot over the years but there is still evidence of a lot of the history to see.

Chapels in Darwen is where this walk starts and takes you around Polyphemus Wood.
01/06/2026

Chapels in Darwen is where this walk starts and takes you around Polyphemus Wood.

As we move towards summer it is time to get out and about again and try some of our walks. Here is one to tempt you and...
31/05/2026

As we move towards summer it is time to get out and about again and try some of our walks. Here is one to tempt you and can take anything from one hour to 2 or 3. Depends how fast you walk and how much you take in the views.

Address

Railway Road
Darwen
BB32RG

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

01254433140

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