Blackburn

Blackburn sits in the borough of Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire, on the eastern edge of the Lancashire plain where the River Blakewater cuts through the town. It grew into a major textile and cotton-mill centre during the Industrial Revolution, leaving a legacy of Victorian architecture and civic buildings such as Blackburn Cathedral; today the skyline still hints at that industrial past while the town lies within easy reach of the West Pennine Moors and landmarks like Darwen Tower.

Sport and culture remain prominent - Blackburn Rovers and their ground at Ewood Park are local focal points - and the economy has shifted from mills to a mix of manufacturing, retail and public-sector employment, alongside ongoing regeneration projects. The town has a diverse population and active community life, with museums, theatres and markets balancing the challenges of post-industrial change and efforts to revitalise the centre.