A popular and beautiful Edwardian park, located close to the centre of Burnley and recently restored with support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
There are attractions for all ages and abilities, car parking, toilets and a cafe.
Facilities
- Children’s play area
- Paddling Pool (open sunny weekends and school holidays)
- Boathouse cafe (weekends and school holidays 12 – 5pm)
- Boating lake
- Miniature railway
- Toilets
- Ornamental gardens
- Car park (£2 all day)
Please note that dogs are not permitted in Thompson Park.
The Boathouse
The boating lake is open every weekend, bank holiday and school holiday from April to October.
Opening hours are from 11am till 5pm
For more information, including opening check on Facebook, contact: 01282 477167 or email getin2@burnleyleisure.co.uk
Prices
Single kayak – £4
Canadian canoe (3 people) – £5
Small rowboat (4 people) – £6
Large rowboat (5 people) – £6
Boat hire is for 25 minutes
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.
Burnley and Pendle Miniature Railway Society
The miniature railway operates on Sundays and Bank holidays throughout the year from noon until 4pm (weather permitting). Rides cost £1 for children (u16) and £2 for adults. A family coach takes wheel chairs and prams. All income is used to support the ongoing development of the railway. Check B&PMRS Facebook page for up to date info.
The railway can be booked for children’s parties.
Getting there
By foot and bike: The park is close to Burnley town centre and there are excellent links to the Canal and Burnley’s network of greenways.
Public Transport: The park is less than 10 minutes walk from Burnley bus station map and 8 minutes walk from Burnley central railway station map
By car: There is a car park (access from Colne Road, BB11 2AA) with a pay by phone charge of £2 per day through MIPermit location 73602. The car park is open from 8.30am to dusk throughout the year.
Friends of Thompson and Queen’s Park
The friends group has been active since 1998 and meets every month in the ranger base in Thompson Park. Details of meetings can be found on the notice board in the park and are open to all.
The Friends have supported many improvements in the park over recent years including developing the miniature railway, providing a launching platform for model boats, funding sculptures, planting an orchard and helping to organise many events in the park such as Christmas and Easter activities, brass band concerts and the Ranger Open Day.
Contact Michelle Wolfenden on 07759 739360 for more information on the friends group or visit the facebook page.
Volunteering opportunities
There is a regular gardening group that meets every Tuesday morning from 10am – 12.30 and the Friends of Thompson Park welomes volunteers.
If you wish to know more about volunteering opportunities click here for more information or click here to register
Activity Plan
Following the National Lottery Heritage Fund Restoration of Thompson Park in 2020 an evaluation report was done to measure the success of the project. This is available to download below.
More Information
Contact: greenspaces@burnley.gov.uk
