Fun places to feed the ducks around Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle
What can be more classic than a day out feeding the ducks? Treat your loved ones to these finest of duck spots in and around Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle!
It’s a classic activity as old as time. For centuries wherever the two meet, people have been feeding ducks by rivers, ponds and lakes. With the weather now fairer and the ducks as cute as ever, it’s a fantastic time of year to take your loved ones out for the age-old favourite pastime that is feeding the ducks. However not all duck ponds are equal, and if you want nothing but the best ducky experience make sure you take your loved ones to the right spots.
Towneley Hall Duck Pond, Burnley
Located in the heart of Burnley is Towneley Hall, which is set in beautiful parkland and has something for all family members from fun walks and parks, educational and adventurous days out. It also has an art gallery!
The historic Towneley Hall is dated back to the 16th century, firstly owned by the Towneley family for almost 5 centuries the hall is now owned, managed and financed by Burnley Borough Council.
Towneley Hall is situated in the middle of extensive historic parkland of formal garden, woodland walks with the large foundation duck pond being right outside of the hall. Perfect for a day out in any weather – you can also grab yourself and the family and ice-cream at the café located on the grounds opposite the duck pond.
Towneley Hall is wheelchair friendly and suitable for all needs, in fact they also have their own disabled friendly scooters which members of the public can use free of charge to get around the beautiful 180 hectares of parkland, these can be booked rom the hall reception.
Thompson Park, Burnley
Found within Burnley itself, Thompson Park is a popular place to escape from the noise of the town centre. As well as playground equipment, a boating lake and Italian and Beech garden’s, the river Brun runs central in the park and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal sits alongside the park and offers plenty of water for ducks to gather and swim. There is lots to explore with several benches and picnic areas giving a great view of the water. Thompson Park is great for all ages and abilities, with disabled toilets, even pathing and the Boathouse Café – which is open weekends and school holidays 12 – 5pm. Located in the centre of Burnley, there are plenty of places nearby to grab a quick bite – whether for the ducks or yourselves.
Stubbylee Park, Rossendale
Situated in Bacup, Rossendale is the beautifully scenic Stubbylee Park. The park has a rich history, previously being owned by the Holt family and then local mill owners the Maden family, whose son James went on to be a high-ranking politician in the House of Commons. Their former home, the prominent Stubbylee Hall, Grade II listed, stands as a proud reminder of the park’s rich, historical past.
Stubbylee Park has lots to offer from football pitches, bowling greens which are well maintained, Dementia garden. The park also has a Fairly Dell which is featured of a short walk by a stream from the duck pond through beautiful scenic trees and ferns down into steps of the dell it’s self – this Fairly Dell would not be ideal for those with low mobility. Just above from the Fairly Dell is situated the duck pond which beaches nearby to sit and watch the ducks. Find it by travelling down Market Steet and taking a left onto New Line then a right into the car park or from travelling on Newchurch from A681, taking a right onto New Line A6066 then a right turn into the park.
Barrowford Park, Nelson
Barrowford Park dates to the 1920’s when it was created by two local cotton manufacturers – Sam Holden and John Dixon. They wanted Barrowford residents to have access to a park and recreation ground. Sam and John gave the land for the park and Barrowford ‘s residents raised the funds for the recreation ground. It was officially opened on 25th march 1924 when the park was handed over to the Urban District Council. It was dedicated as a memorial to the soldiers from the village who died from the First World War.
The park features of play facilities for children, formal flower beds and plenty of wildlife, situated near to the lake – the perfect place to take loved ones to feed and watch the ducks. Many of the paths are wheelchair friendly and there is disabled toilets available at the Heritage Centre inside of the park.
Ball Grove Country Park, Nelson
Ball Grove Country Park was awarded with a prestigious Green Flag in 2014. The park is sat upon 7 hectares of stunning community woodland which features a children’s play area, a millpond and lake and a nature reserve including the Bronte way which runs through the park and continues through to the Wycoller National Park.
The park offers disabled friendly car parking and many of the footpaths are suitable for those with low mobility. Whilst you are out making memories with your loved ones you could also grab yourself a fresh hot drink and a bite to eat from The Lakeside Café which is open Mon – Fri 09.30am – 4pm and Sat – Sun 10am – 4pm.
Wycoller Country Park, Colne
Wycoller Park most famous for it’s association with the Bronte sisters who referred to many of the nearby landmarks in book such a Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. Wycoller Country Park is known to be one of the prettiest country parks in Lancashire.
The village is located 4 miles east of Colne in the Brough of Pendle. Throughout the walk there is plenty of picnic tables which perfectly overlook the village duck pond. Wycoller Country Park has disabled toilets, an information centre at the Aisled Barn.
Marsden Park, Nelson
Marsden Park is the largest park in Pendle, with plenty of historic and architectural features which includes a pseudo-roman spa bath, an ornamental pond and march area, as well as circular gardens, a sensory garden and a Lady’s Garden with plenty of woodland walks to enjoys and an idyllic place to feed the ducks. Situated in the park isa tennis courts, bowling greens and a children’s play area.
Situated within the park is the Marsden Old Hall – The hall can be seen today from two different periods, the old part of the hall which forms the main part of the building which is said to have been built by Richard Barkerhouse around 1555 to 1563. The Hall started to fall into despair until the ownership of Nelson Corporation, who restored the Tudor section with funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund – the hall is an historic landmark for the borough.
Many of the pathways are suitable with low mobility, there is also a sensory garden with tactile path finders and access to disabled toilets. Find it by travelling from Barkerhouse Road onto Town House Road, then take a left onto the car park or take a left off Reedyford Road onto the A56, then Walton Road, the park will be accessible on your right.
Victoria Park, Nelson
First awarded its Prestigious Green Flag award in 2009 and maintained it ever since is Victoria Park. It is a designated a district park and fills over 8 hectares of land. The main interest of the park are its large lake – perfect for a family day feeding the ducks, the bandstand, bowling green and health walk routes, perfect for all family members even the younger generation offering decent sized playing facility.
With the lake being the largest feature of the park, visitors may be able to catch their eye on many species of wildfowl. In the brighter months you may be able to see Swans, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen.
