Thriving town and a singing, ringing tree – it must be Burnley

A thriving market town surrounded by breathtaking Pennine countryside, Burnley was one of Lancashire’s most prominent mill towns, and has been awarded the most enterprising area in the UK. 

The iconic ‘Singing, Ringing Tree’ towers high above Burnley on Crown Point Moor, and has been named in the top 10 pieces of ‘sound art’ in the world. The sculpture is a three metre tall, wind powered musical artwork – stand in its shadow and listen as the breeze creates ever-changing musical sounds through its galvanised steel pipes. The vast views over the town to the hills beyond make a visit for a closer inspection of this amazing artwork an absolute must. 

Head from Keighley to Burnley on our Mainline M4 route, and change at Burnley Bus Station to our Irwell Line 483 bus towards Bury. Leave the bus at the Thane Row stop on Bacup Road, from where it’s a 12 minute walk up to the sculpture. 

For a flavour of the area’s history, visit Gawthorpe Hall – often referred to as the ‘Downton of the North’, this superb Jacobean house is set in over 40 acres of woodland. Inside, beautiful historic rooms show life as it was in Victorian times and have a homely feel.  

Travel to Burnley from Keighley on our Mainline M4 bus route. Gawthorpe Hall opens Wednesday to Sunday afternoons plus Bank Holidays – change at Burnley to our Mainline M1 and M2 buses and hop off at the Padiham Road stop opposite Kiddrow Lane – it’s then a short walk up the signed driveway to the Hall.