The Boathouse Café

This fabulous ice cream parlour is open between Easter and September on Saturdays and Sundays and every day during local school holidays, from 12pm-5pm.

On offer are a range of hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks. Why not take a seat on the lake terrace and enjoy some much-needed refreshments after a busy morning on the playground?

Boat Hire

Boats are available for hire between Easter and September on Saturdays and Sundays and every day during local school holidays. The first boat is at 12pm, the last is at 5.30pm (subject to instructor availability). All under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Prices are as follows for a 25-minute hire:

Single kayak – £5
Canadian canoe (3 people) – £6
Small rowboat (4 people) – £8
Large rowboat (5 people) – £8

Boats are not able to be booked in advance, simply turn up on the day and you will be allocated a time slot should a boat not be immediately available.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING PERIODS OF BAD WEATHER THE BOATHOUSE CAFE AND BOATING LAKE MAY CLOSE, PLEASE CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE (The Boathouse | Facebook) FOR UPDATES.

For group bookings for boats or paddle boarding, such as team building days or school trips, please contact info@blcgroup.co.uk

A History of Thompson Park

Arthur Race designed Thompson Park after James Thompson, a local cotton spinner and manufacturer left £50,000 in his will to Burnley Corporation to create a park for the people of the town on Bank Hall grounds in 1920.

The park opened 10 years later after being largely constructed by the unemployed. They underwent the task of digging out the boating lake, and building the ornamental bridges, Pavilion building, Victorian paddling pool, conservatory and Italian gardens.

The Pavilion building was used as a tearoom where visitors could relax on the terrace, overlooking the boating lake. Today the building has undergone a Heritage Lottery restoration and it had been restored to its former Art-Deco glory. The space is used by community groups and is available to hire for celebrations.

The Italian gardens were built in the classic style, with columns and geometric flower beds. Originally this space housed a pond, complete with coy carp swimming through the lily pads, this was drained during World War II and used for growing vegetables for the community, as was much of the rest of Thompson Park. During the war, the only bomb that fell in Burnley was in Thompson Park, near the conservatory.

In 2001 the miniature railway, nicknamed The Lollipop Line, opened for its first passengers. The train is a fun 7-minute ride through the park and is suitable for all ages.