Burnley Central
Burnley Central Station, originally called Burnley Bank Top, sits on high ground close to the town centre. The town dates back to Anglo Saxon times when the town was established on the banks of the River Brun. The river gave the town its name derived from Brun Lea ‘the field near the Brun’. The town was granted its market charter in 1400 and at this time had a population of around 600.
With the coming of the Industrial Revolution the population exploded with townsfolk finding employment in cotton mills, coal mines and foundries. By 1886 Burnley was the cotton weaving capital of the world producing more cotton cloth per year than any other town in the world. The Leeds Liverpool canal runs through the town on an impressive mile long embankment, well worth a visit.
The railway station was opened by the East Lancashire Railway Company in 1848. A short branch line ran from the station to Bank Hall colliery and the branch has now been revitalised as a cycleway and pleasant walk.
Address
Burnley Central Station
Railway Street
Burnley
Lancashire
BB11 1DA
Grid Reference
SD 839330 – for a map visit www.streetmap.co.uk and enter the grid reference.
Operator
Facilities
+ Staffed station (booking office open Mon to Fri 06.30 – 13:30)
+ Ticket Vending Machine
+ Hourly service to Colne and Preston
+ Waiting Room (open during booking office hours)
+ Free car park (20 spaces)
+ Long Line Public Address
+ Cycle storage
Other Information
+ Bus station is a 15 minute walk from the railway station – click here for bus timetables
+ Friends of Station – visit communityraillancashire.co.uk/station-adoption/ for more details
+ CRP branded notice boards
+ Burnley’s new college is a 5 minute walk – click here for more information
Latest News
Yorkshire Dales Explorer 7 February 2026
Still plenty to see and do using the Yorkshire Dales Explorer even in the depths of winter. Posted 03.02.26
New Best Practice Paper Published
Accrington station's friends group 'The Stations of Welcome' carving through barriers. Posted 03.02.26
All Aboard For A Family Fun Day
All Aboard! Join the Celebration of 200 Years of Passenger Railways, Monday 16 February, 12:00 to 15:30 at Clitheroe Castle Museum. Posted 02.02.26