Colne
If you haven’t visited Colne recently you’re really in for a treat, it’s bursting with new, trendy independent businesses that are perfect for gifts and cool household interiors. Dubbed “Lancashire’s Capital of Cool” by Lancashire Life Magazine there’s also a Marketing Lancashire Blog to this chic destination.
Colne offers an exceptional variety of independent shops and lots of great eateries. Jim’s Vegetarian Restaurant is also a popular choice.This great foodie element to the town led to the setting up of an annual Colne Food Festival, which showcases local venues and produce.
The town boasts many great venues, including Colne Muni, Green Chimney and The Venue with its live music scene. The town features not one, but three theatres, including Colne Muni, Colne Little Theatre and Pendle Hippodrome. The latter has a lively youth theatre and was responsible for growing talent such as famous actress Nathalie Gumede.
Colne has lots to do! Pendle Beer Festival. Colne Gala, The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, and Colne Grand Prix Cycle Race, and many more events, all take place in this lively town. The Grand Prix features Olympic gold medallist and local hero, Steven Burke. There’s even a gold postbox to him here. Another local hero was Wallace Hartley, who was the bandmaster of the Titanic, who played on whilst the ship sank. He is featured on the Colne Heritage trail.
Ruth Crompton took time out of running the stylish Dressing Room shop in Colne to chat about the town:
"I moved here because I loved the quirkiness of the area. Colne has everything you need in a town, plus you’re on the doorstep of the most amazing countryside. I love having a business here. It’s just the friendliest place in the world!
Visitors love our quirky and diverse retail outlets and fantastic pubs and restaurants. Lancashire Life magazine dubbed us "the Lancashire Capital of Cool" and this year we’re in the top three high streets in the Great British High Street Competition.
Culturally we match up too, with great events all year round and not one, but three theatres….Colne rocks!...so come and see what all the fuss is about!"
Kelly Eardley told us about her artisan bakery Deerstones in the Arcade:
"It's such a friendly town with lots of independent shops. I love the beautifully restored arcade where I bake and the smell of baking wafting through it. I've also begun to pass my skills on with baking workshops."
For a walk around Colne, download the Colne Heritage Trail
There's also a shorter version of the trail in the centre of the Colne Visitors Guide