Darwen Heritage Centre

About the museum

Darwen Heritage Centre is run entirely by volunteers and is a registered charity (number 1183239) supported by Darwen Town Council. It is housed in Holker House on Railway Road, close to the town centre, and presents the history of Darwen as a cotton town.

The centre has two exhibition rooms, a permanent display on Darwen’s heritage and temporary displays with a themed focus, together with illustrated talks on many aspects of local history. Subjects covered on its website include the visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Darwen in September 1931, the inventor Samuel Crompton, who lived in the town, and the Boer War, First World War and Second World War rolls of honour and memorials of Darwen.

Visitors can also look through a digital and printed photo library, including the Arnold Preston collection, and a collection of paintings by local artists. Archive material can be viewed at the centre but not borrowed. A small shop sells books and gifts about Darwen, and visitors can have tea or coffee in the Sitting Room.

Highlights

• Permanent display on Darwen’s heritage
• Temporary themed exhibitions in two exhibition rooms
• Illustrated talks on local history
• Digital and printed photo library
• War memorial and roll of honour research

Permanent exhibition

• Darwen heritage display – Permanent display on the social and industrial history of Darwen, supported by a photo library and temporary themed displays.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Darwen Heritage Centre (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access is via a side entrance on Church Street that avoids the front steps, and the gates are open during opening hours. All the heritage rooms are on the ground floor. A toilet with disabled access is at the end of the entrance hall.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The step-free entrance is on Church Street at the side of the building.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The Sales Area sells books and small gifts about Darwen. Tea and coffee are available in the Sitting Room. Wi-Fi is listed among the centre’s facilities.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

A large meeting room is available for hire, and the centre offers display space for outside groups and organisations.

Plan your visit