Witton Country Park

A brief history

Witton Country Park is 480 acres of beautiful mixed woodland, parkland and farmland to the west of Blackburn.

Click to enlarge image

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

The estate was once owned by the Feilden family, who built and lived in Witton House (1800 - 1946) and created the park at the same time.

From approximately 1900 the house was empty for long periods and during both world wars the house and estate were used by the army. At the same time dry-rot was attacking the property.

Sadly Witton House was demolished in 1952, after being sold to Blackburn Corporation in 1946. The Witton Estate, comprising some 485 acres was included in this sale. The price of £64,000 seems ridiculous by todays standards but was a fortune just after the war.

The Corporation raised £30,000 with the remainder being generously donated by the local business man Mr R E Hart. The estate was acquired in perpetuity for the local people, with the provision that no property development could take place in the future.

Mr Hart's bequest was one of many to the town, and his collection of art treasures, particularly illuminated manuscripts, can now be seen at Blackburn Museum and Art gallery.

In 1973 the estate was designated a Country Park, with grant aid from the Countryside Commission.

Fortunately the outbuildings of Witton House survived and these former stables and coach-houses were renovated in the late 1970s.  They were officially opened in 1980 as the visitor centre for the country park.

Habitats and wildlife

The park has a whole range of habitats and their associated wildlife:

Wetlands

• the River Darwen and River Blakewater both run through the park
• numerous streams and ponds, including an ornamental lily pond
• marsh and wet meadow lands alongside the River Darwen.

All these support a range of water loving species.

A riverside walk has been created which enables everyone to access some of these wetland features of the park.

Woodlands

The woodland covering many acres is mixed in nature, being ancient, semi-natural or from original plantations which have developed over the years.

The area surrounding Witton House was originally planted as a formal garden. Like many other Victorians, their estate plantings reflected their wealth. Many of the trees that we take for granted today would be recent introductions at the beginning of the 19th century.

At a time when foreign travel was difficult British 'plant-hunters' introduced trees and shrubs to these shores from all over the world. Also, many different ornamental species were planted in the heyday of the Feilden family.

Open parkland

The open grass areas near the car park are good for family activities. With mature trees scattered around the area it is a great spot to connect to the environment. It is well placed near the playground and car park.

Farmland

There is one working farm within the country park. As the farm is centrally placed, there are several footpaths enabling access from the visitor centre and showfield through the farm fields up to Billinge Hill and woods at the top end of the park.

All these habitats provide homes for a whole variety of birds, mammals and insects.

For a breed bird survey report please click here.

Park Play Development

Witton Park has a new play development which opened in May 2009. Big Cover Wood has lots of play equipment including climbing apperatus, slide, wobbly bridge, large musical instruments and picnic areas which is all in a woodland setting. 

In Mid 2010 another brand new play development will be opening near the Visitor Centre at Witton Country Park. To see plans of this development please click below Witton Play development Project.