Discover Colne, Lancashire

Colne is a small town in the Borough of Pendle, Lancashire, England. Located about six miles to the northeast of Burnley, it has a population of some 20,000 people.

Colne, Lancashire, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barclay%27s_Bank,_Colne,_Lancashire_-_geograph.org.uk_-_356814.jpg
Author: De Neil Clifton


Human habitation in the Colne area goes back to the Stone Age. Archaeologists have discovered a Mesolithic camp site as well as a Bronze Age burial site in nearby Trawden. Remains of an Iron Age fort from the 6th century BC has also been discovered in Castercliff above Colne.

Roman coins found in the area provide evidence of Roman presence, though it is inconclusive whether or not the Romans established a colony in the area. In any case, from the 6th century to the late 10th century, after the Romans had pulled out of Britain, Colne was ruled by the Northumbrians and then the Vikings.

Colne developed as a village from the 11th century, when the surrounding Pendle Forest and Trawden Forest were hunting groounds for the royals and nobles. By the 13th century, Colne developed on the top of a ridge in the area, while the Waterside neighborhood developed on the south side of the ridge.

St Bartholomew Church, Colne: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Bartholomew%27s_Church,_Colne.jpg
Author: De Neil Clifton


By the 15th century, Colne had developed into a major trading center for wool. During the Industrial Revolution, it added cotton manufacturing as a mainstay of its economy. The industry was to survive until the early part of the 20th century, and then, as with other mill towns in Lancashire, sould suffer a decline.

Visiting Colne

To reach Colne by car, take the M65 motorway until the end.

Places of Interest in Colne

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