Ball grove Park is a great place to take your children. There is a children's play area, and lovely nature walks along the valley. Watch for the ducks on the lakes and when its time for a cuppa there is a great cafe with home made cake!
Ball Grove is situated off Trawden Road and behind LBS Garden Centre. Turn at the Lee Garden Chinese takeaway, half way along the road between Colne and Trawden. Alternatively, take the turning to the carpark at the Cafe / Lake from the Keithley Road. (BB8 7HY)
What is now Ball Grove Park and Local Nature Reserve was once the site of the largest light tanneries in Europe.
Built in 1860 by W and J Sagar the main buildings of the tannery were in the area which is now Ball Grove Park. Over 100,000 gallons of water were taken from Colne water from two weirs to power a water wheel and provide water for the tanning proces.
The business was declared bankrupt in 1970 and the tannery was demolished in 1974.
Ball Grove Park was awarded a prestigious Green Flag in 2014.
Seven hectares of community woodland and the Fearndene Way, which runs through the park offer attractive walks from Ball Grove right up through the nature walk and continue through to Wycoller Country Park.