Thompson Park

Opened in July 1930, Thompson Park is a delight. For the horticulturalist its award-winning Italian garden, rose garden, Forest of Burnley arboretum trees and community orchard offer a real treat. A three-acre boating lake, children’s playground and paddling pool, miniature railway and 9-hole putting green are great for families and a small café is open during the summer.

Thompson Park is more ornamental than Burnley's other parks with large numbers of flower beds and the large rose garden. This has created quite a different pattern of use compared to the other parks in the borough with more people coming purely to see the flower displays, and for the safe environment for children to play (please note dogs are banned from the park).

There are two main recreational facilities, the boating lake and paddling pool, which are the only ones in the borough. These attract large numbers of people especially during warm weather.

Facilities
•Children's play area/Paddling Pool
•Boating lake
•Italian garden
•Miniature railway
•Beech garden
•Refreshment kiosk
•Putting green
•Ranger base
•Toilets

Main Features

The main feature of the Park is the boating lake that is approximately 3 acres in extent.

The River Brun bisects the Park, which, in addition to providing the water for the lake, is also an additional point of interest as it provides habitat for various water birds as well as attracting the odd fisherman.

Two ornamental bridges cross the river, both well-preserved original features.

There are approximately five kilometres of paths in the Park.

Gardens

The Rose Garden consists of 40 rose beds and is situated next to the lake.

The Italian Garden is a sunken garden consisting of 15 flower beds.

Boating Lake

Model Boat Permit (free of charge, call Green Spaces & Amenities 01282 477232 to register).

Opening Times

The boating lake is open every weekend, bank holiday and school holiday from April to October.
Opening hours are from 12pm till 5pm.

Paddling Pool

The paddling pool is a great place for kids to cool off on a hot summers day. The pool is filled at weekends and school holidays between April and September on days when the weather is warm and sunny. If you want to check if the pool is full please call the Ranger Service on 01282 831053. There is also a large sand pit adjacent the paddling pool.

Burnley and Pendle Miniature Railway Society

The miniature railway has been developed by the Burnley and Pendle Miniature Railway Society over recent years and was completed in 2005.

The railway operates on Sundays and Bank holidays throughout the year from noon until 4pm (weather permitting). Rides cost £1 and the income is used to support the ongoing development of the railway.

The railway can be booked for children's parties.

There is now a wheelchair coach available.