Kickstart your journey in time and discover the rich tapestry spun by Darwen's legacy as a textile manufacturing powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. As you stroll through the town, you can almost hear the clatter of spinning mules, an invention of local resident Samuel Crompton that revolutionised cotton production worldwide. The town's robust cotton industry also attracted the attention of Mahatma Gandhi, who visited in 1931 to witness the far-reaching impacts of India's cotton goods boycott.

Find your bearings along the main artery of Darwen, the A666 road. Get to know the locals, fondly known as Darreners, as you explore the town's charming twists and turns. This town of over 28,000 residents is divided into four welcoming wards, each upholding its own unique allure.

The bronze-age settlement of Darwen still thrums with life, set within a valley where the River Darwen gently weaves its course. This river not only graces the town's coat of arms alongside cotton bolls, but also inspires the town's Celtic name. Explore Bold Venture Park and Sunnyhurst Wood among others, for a taste of Darwen's natural beauty, or embark on a discovery of its educational institutions, including Darwen Aldridge Community Academy and Darwen Vale High School.

Despite having weathered a decline in the textile industry, including the closure of Crown Wallcoverings, Darwen is resilient. Now a unitary authority, it once stood as part of the borough of Blackburn and is represented on the parliamentary front by Jake Berry. Darwen is ready to welcome you with open arms, offering modern amenities like prolific bus and rail links aboard steam trams, a legacy of its pioneering spirit.