Duke of York Hotel, Duke Bar (c. 1910) This Burnley landmark was rebuilt in 1888, designed by architect Thomas Bell, and still stands at the junction of Colne Rd. and Briercliffe Rd., but is no longer a public house. This busy street scene shows tram no. 33 with destination Padiham; amongst the people waiting around, several are wearing clogs, one lady is posting a letter in a pillar box, well known local business Collinge Plumber and Glazier is in the foreground. placeholder image
Duke of York Hotel, Duke Bar (c. 1910) This Burnley landmark was rebuilt in 1888, designed by architect Thomas Bell, and still stands at the junction of Colne Rd. and Briercliffe Rd., but is no longer a public house. This busy street scene shows tram no. 33 with destination Padiham; amongst the people waiting around, several are wearing clogs, one lady is posting a letter in a pillar box, well known local business Collinge Plumber and Glazier is in the foreground. | LCC

Burnley through the years: More fascinating photos of the town's historic buildings

By John Deehan
Published 3rd Nov 2026, 10:58 GMT

A collection of fascinating photographs looks back at Burnley's historic buildings .

Burnley has changed considerably over the years, but these fascinating photographs offer a reminder of the town's rich architectural past.

From grand Victorian buildings and historic town centre properties to familiar streets and long-lost landmarks, the images capture a glimpse of Burnley as it once was.

The photographs are from Lancashire County Council's Red Rose Collection.

Old Bridge Inn, 2, Bank Parade Burnley. Notes with photo state "The Bridge Inn with Rushworth's Iron Brokers next door. It was a dairy until c. 1850". Helpfully the largest of the interesting advertisements on the wall announces Parisian Animated Pictures being shown at the Church Institute, with the run extended to 6th May 1905, films included "The Assassination of Grand Duke Sergius", 5th son/7th child of Alexander II of Russia who was assassinated in Moscow on 17.2.1905. The Bridge Inn was soon to be demolished and rebuilt. When applying for a full licence (i.e. spirits as well as beer) it was stated the works had cost £2000 and the pub would re-open in June 1906. There were already nearly 40 fully licensed houses within 300 yards, and the application was dismissed. Landlord at the time, was Richard Benson. (Burnley Gazette 3/3/06 p 8).

5. Burnley buildings

Old Bridge Inn, 2, Bank Parade Burnley. Notes with photo state "The Bridge Inn with Rushworth's Iron Brokers next door. It was a dairy until c. 1850". Helpfully the largest of the interesting advertisements on the wall announces Parisian Animated Pictures being shown at the Church Institute, with the run extended to 6th May 1905, films included "The Assassination of Grand Duke Sergius", 5th son/7th child of Alexander II of Russia who was assassinated in Moscow on 17.2.1905. The Bridge Inn was soon to be demolished and rebuilt. When applying for a full licence (i.e. spirits as well as beer) it was stated the works had cost £2000 and the pub would re-open in June 1906. There were already nearly 40 fully licensed houses within 300 yards, and the application was dismissed. Landlord at the time, was Richard Benson. (Burnley Gazette 3/3/06 p 8). | LCC

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Cronkshaw's Commercial Hotel, Grimshaw St. 8 Grimshaw St.,/11-15 Nicholas St., Burnley, once a noted meeting place for business people and particularly of the local Liberal Party, for which it served as unofficial headquarters. Located in the professional district of the town. On the death in 1925 of the owner, Mrs Macrae, who inherited the property from her mother Mrs. Adam Dugdale this and other property belonging to the Dugdale Estate were placed on the market. It closed 5th April 1925 and was then sold for offices. The Burnley Express of 14.3.1925 on pages 9 and 16 gives a useful history of the hotel. Established 1866, the second tenant was John Cronkshaw from 1868-1896 and his widow ran it until 1917, hence the name. The property still stands in commercial use. Image dated c. 1920.

6. Burnley buildings

Cronkshaw's Commercial Hotel, Grimshaw St. 8 Grimshaw St.,/11-15 Nicholas St., Burnley, once a noted meeting place for business people and particularly of the local Liberal Party, for which it served as unofficial headquarters. Located in the professional district of the town. On the death in 1925 of the owner, Mrs Macrae, who inherited the property from her mother Mrs. Adam Dugdale this and other property belonging to the Dugdale Estate were placed on the market. It closed 5th April 1925 and was then sold for offices. The Burnley Express of 14.3.1925 on pages 9 and 16 gives a useful history of the hotel. Established 1866, the second tenant was John Cronkshaw from 1868-1896 and his widow ran it until 1917, hence the name. The property still stands in commercial use. Image dated c. 1920. | LCC

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Clock Face Inn, 32 St. James's St., Burnley. Dated around 1905, as prior to alterations to the building in 1909. Located by tram centre in Burnley Town Centre. Closed 1963.

7. Burnley buildings

Clock Face Inn, 32 St. James's St., Burnley. Dated around 1905, as prior to alterations to the building in 1909. Located by tram centre in Burnley Town Centre. Closed 1963. | LCC

Photo Sales
Corporation Arms, 47 Curzon St., Burnley. Image c. 1901. The man in the doorway is said to be the Proprietor James Wilkinson who died 15/12/1903. The licence stayed within the Wilkinson family for about 100 years. James's son-in-law Albert Simpson took over the licence in February 1903 after James had been tenant for 30 years. Located close by the old Market Hall, the house belonged to the Corporation and has the Coat of Arms on the wall along with advertisements for Burnley Massey's and Grimshaw's beers. It eventually closed in 1967, and was cleared with the rest of the area for the new market development. In the distance can be seen the Star Dining Rooms at the junction of Curzon St. and Howe St.

8. Burnley buildings

Corporation Arms, 47 Curzon St., Burnley. Image c. 1901. The man in the doorway is said to be the Proprietor James Wilkinson who died 15/12/1903. The licence stayed within the Wilkinson family for about 100 years. James's son-in-law Albert Simpson took over the licence in February 1903 after James had been tenant for 30 years. Located close by the old Market Hall, the house belonged to the Corporation and has the Coat of Arms on the wall along with advertisements for Burnley Massey's and Grimshaw's beers. It eventually closed in 1967, and was cleared with the rest of the area for the new market development. In the distance can be seen the Star Dining Rooms at the junction of Curzon St. and Howe St. | LCC

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