Background
In the early 19 Century two self contained mill settlements grew side by side along the River Irwell at Burrs and Higher Woodhill. Local entrepreneur of the time, Peel, Howarth, Yates and the Calrow family build water powered spinning mills together with workers cottages and other facilities providing for the daily needs of up to 300 workers. The cotton famine of 1861-65 was the beginning of the end for the original factories, and they were sold on to be used for bleaching and dying, then paper making and eventually as a Prisoner of War Camp during the Second World War. The majority of the buildings were either demolished or remained empty until the 1980's when the Council acquired the land with the intention of reclaiming the area and restoring it as public open space.
This area has now become known as the Burrs Country Park. The park combines history, industrial archaeology, wildlife and environmental education together with active recreational pursuits based on the unique river, canal and waterway configuration. The Council has carried out major reclamation and rebuilding contracts within the Country Park with grant assistance from the North West Development Agency, the Sports Council and the European Union, and the Burrs Canoe and Kyak Club have been actively involved in developing the canoeing facilities which are now integral to the Country Park. The club has also played a key part in establishing the Burrs Activity Centre who now manage a number of other activities on site including climbing, camping and orienteering.
Go to Burrs Country Park web page
