Christ Church Colne

The tower of Christ Church dominates Colne's skyline - you'll spot it long before you reach the town centre. It's a proper Victorian affair, all red stone and sturdy Gothic Revival lines, built in the 1880s when Lancashire's mill towns were booming. Inside, the architecture is restrained but dignified: high ceilings, decent stained glass, and the sort of peaceful atmosphere you get in older churches when there's no service on.

This isn't a destination in itself - it's maybe thirty minutes if you're thorough, less if you're just passing through. But it rewards a quick visit if you're already in Colne exploring the town's textile heritage or grabbing lunch. The churchyard is worth a wander too, with some interesting Victorian monuments tucked among the graves.

It works well alongside a base at one of the nearby campsites. Shay Gate Farm is closest at just over a mile away, and Trawden Forest Glamping sits nearby if you want something with more creature comforts. From there, you're well-positioned to explore Colne proper - decent high street, working mills you can actually visit, and some cracking walking country in the surrounding moorland.

Really, Christ Church is the sort of place you'll pop into because you're in the area, not travel miles to see. But that's fine. It's a solid example of what industrial Lancashire built when it had money and confidence, and it slots neatly into a weekend that includes the parks and the town itself.