Leisure and entertainment
1. Cinema
There's a REEL Cinema right in the heart of town, located in the newly-built Pioneer Place. Head down and watch the latest blockbuster in comfort and style. There's normally some sort of student deal on and it's only a 10-minute walk from campus.
2. Bowling
Enjoy a little competition at MFA Bowling. There's usually a student discount or other deal, and it's only a short walk from student accommodation. You can bowl and then try out the arcade games after. There's also a bar where food and drink is served.
3. Theatre
Burnley Mechanics Theatre has a great selection of shows on, from stand-up comedians to classic productions. Keep an eye on the upcoming events to see if there's anything you fancy.
4. Spa day
Burnley is home to the award-winning Woodland Spa. Enjoy a dip in the hot tub or take a sensory journey through the multitude of rooms, including sauna, salt room and steam room. This might be a bit of a stretch for a student budget, but they do offer a twilight experience through the week for a reduced price.
Health and sport
5. Football
Burnley is definitely a football town. Be part of the action and watch Burnley play at Turf Moor. There's also plenty of opportunities for you to play football through the Students' Union or at the Leisure Box.
6. Cricket
Cricket is also big in Burnley. You can't beat a day at Burnley Cricket Club in the summer. There are lots of other smaller clubs which would love your support too, like Lowerhouse Cricket Club or Padiham Cricket Club.
7. Golf
Towneley Golf Club is home to a brilliant 18-hole course and clubhouse - the perfect spot for a meal and a drink afterwards. Or, you could head up to the Prairie Sports Village to tee off at the driving range.
8. Pool and snooker
There are a few snooker and pool halls around town. This is one of the cheapest things to do in Burnley, as you can pay just a few pounds for an hour.
9. Walks
There are lots of great walks in Burnley. Head up to the Singing Ringing Tree and take in the spectacular views. Try the trek up Pendle Hill, with plenty of pubs along the way. If you prefer a more leisurely stroll, stick to the paths around Towneley Park or Thompson's Park.
10. Leisure Box
The Leisure Box provides lots of different activities. Whilst it has a play area aimed at children, there are adult activities as well. There's an 18-line clip 'n' climb, which adults can use. There's also an indoor and outdoor pitch where you can sign up to play football or pickleball.
11. Swimming
St Peter's Leisure Centre has a 25-metre pool, as well as a squash court, cycling studio and gym. You can pay separately for the pool or get access to all the facilities through a Burnley Leisure gym membership.
Food and drink
12. Burnley Market Hall
One of our favourite things to do in Burnley is to head to the Market Hall for food. There's a great selection of international street food, including Bengali, Thai and Korean food. Plus, there's burgers, chicken and chips too. Give it a go and uncover a new favourite. You could even do a food safari and try a different course from each stall.
13. Ellis'
Bringing big city vibes to Burnley, Ellis' serves the best burgers and cocktails in town. There's beef burgers, chicken burgers and a choice of sides - even the loaded fries are a meal in themselves. There's also a bottomless brunch option.
14. The Corkhouse
The Corkhouse is a small cocktail bar in town, serving delicious food and drinks. There's often live music on at the weekend. They've recently launched a Sunday Roast tapas, so book in for a unique dining experience.
15. Finsley Wharf
Finsley Wharf is the perfect spot on a sunny day. It's right by the canal and only a 10-minute walk from campus. Pull up a deck-chair and enjoy some homemade food as you soak up the rays. There's also indoor dining for those less-than-sunny days.
Clubs and hobbies
16. Burnley Youth Theatre
If you love the arts and are looking for things to do in Burnley, why not get involved with Burnley Youth Theatre? You can volunteer to help out with front of house, marketing, technical or creative roles. They also host classes and workshops, so you can make friends and finetune your skills.
17. Burnley Library
Burnley Library host lots of great clubs, including creative writing, drawing and a book club. Most of these are free, so suit a student budget. Take a look at what's coming up.
Where next?
Life in Burnley
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Why I love studying in Burnley
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