Lower Darwen

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.721
longitude= -2.473
population=
official_name= Lower Darwen
map_type= Lancashire
unitary_england= Blackburn with Darwen
lieutenancy_england = Lancashire
region= North West England
constituency_westminster=
post_town= DARWEN
postcode_district = BB3
postcode_area= BB
dial_code= 01254
os_grid_reference= SD688250 Lower Darwen is a village in the unitary borough of Blackburn with Darwen, in Lancashire. It is located between the towns of Blackburn and Darwen. Nearby places include Ewood and Blackamoor. It is situated in the valley of the River Darwen.

Until the late 18th century Lower Darwen was a farming area. A spinning mill was built in 1774 [ [http://www.cottontown.org/page.cfm?pageid=2575&language=eng Lower Darwen Mill ] ] and although this did not have a major impact on the village at first, by the 1820s the majority of the village was involved in the textile industry [ [http://www.cottontown.org/page.cfm?pageid=2577&language=eng Lower Darwen Village ] ] .

Lower Darwen is on the Blackburn to Bolton railway line, and the line through the village was opened in 1847.cite book | title=Blackburn's Railways in the 1950s and 60s | last=Taylor | first=Stuart | isbn=978-1-870119-84-9 | location=Bredbury, Cheshire | publisher=Foxline (Publications) ] Lower Darwen formerly had a railway station, however this closed in 1958.cite book | title=Lancashire's Lost Railways | last=James | first=David | isbn=978-1-84033-288-9 | oclc=56002103 | year=2004 | publisher=Stenlake Publishing | location=Catrine, Ayrshire ] There was also a motive power depot north of the station, which closed in the 1960s.

Since the 1980s the village has expanded rapidly, with many new houses being built, including a large estate on the site of the ROF Blackburn site. It is not far from the M65 motorway.

References