Bold Venture Park

Bold Venture Park opened in 1889 is both a picturesque and historic park.

Lying in the valley of Bold Venture brook, it acts as a bridge connecting Darwen town to the countryside of Darwen Tower, Jubilee Tower and beyond.  

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has developed their first open space strategy. At the launch of the document, Councillor Khan said that open spaces contribute to the physical and mental health of the community, reduce crime and the fear of crime and develop cohesive communities. If you would like to read the document please click here

History

Take a journey back in time by visiting the Cotton Town web site.  On it there is a wealth of old maps, manuscripts, photos, books, pamphlets and posters illustrating some of Blackburn and Darwen’s fascinating history.  Click Cotton Town.

The land for the park was originally an area of cloughs and quarries, acquired from the lord of the manor, a Rev W A Duckworth.

• One historic feature of the park is the war memorial, (listed grade II) close to the main entrance.  It was unveiled in 1921 and stands symbolically for the five years of World War I, on five stone steps.
• The park is now listed in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens (grade II).

Features

Bold Venture Brook cascades dramatically down through the woods as a series of falls and pools.  The water is crossed in all by three stone and ironwork bridges.

• the lowest of the pools is also the largest and forms an ornamental lake, the centre piece of the park.
• the lake is planted round with ornamental shrubbery and overlooking the north west bank is an area of formal gardens.
• at the southern end of the lake stands the Shorrock drinking fountain, a donation to the park to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902

The Hindle Aviary

This was presented to the park by Mr and Mrs F G Hindle on November 1 1901 in commemoration of their silver wedding.  The aviary was mounted by a gilded weather vane representing a winged dragon.  At the time it cost a princely some of £200.  It housed a number of exotic birds including peacocks and fan tailed doves. 

After many years the aviary fell into disrepair and in 2004 was replaced by a metal pergola.   The new Hindle Pergola incorporates seating from which visitors can relax and enjoy views of the park and lake. 

A Lancashire artist, Maggy Howarth was commissioned to design a mosaic focal point within the pergola.  The cobblestone mosaic features a peacock, one of the many beautiful birds that once inhabited the aviary and is surrounded by tiny ceramic birds.  Funding for this artwork was from a local charity, the Lloyd Durst.

Maggy's work has featured in the Sunday Times and is much sought after.  Her distinctive style makes her pieces instantly recognisable.  She works primarily with natural pebbles continuing a tradition that dates back to the ancient world.  To find out more about Maggy's work click here.

Awards

Bold Venture park has 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. Green Flag award 

Winners vary from Victorian parks and town centre gardens to nature reserves, country parks and cemeteries.

Sites must be judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained with the strong involvement of the local community. To help with the development and maintenance of this park the council has developed a long term management plan. If you wish to read the Plan please click here