What is Burnley known for? Burnley is a thriving market town surrounded by breath-taking Pennine countryside. Burnley was once known as one of Lancashire’s most prominent mill towns and has even once been awarded the most enterprising area in the UK.Whether you like hiking, cycling, windsurfing, kayaking, horse riding, golf or sailing, it’s all available right here. The Prairie Sports Village has a 16-bay floodlit driving range, academy and nine-hole mini golf course. Hire a rowing boat or kayak at ThompsonPark or windsurf and sail at Clowbridge Reservoir. Unwind and enjoy Burnley’s waterways – the canal, rivers and reservoirs are great places to escape to; walk by the river, take a boat trip along the canal or go windsurfing or sailing on the reservoirs Unwind and enjoy Burnley’s waterways – the canal, rivers and reservoirs are great places to escape to; walk by the river, take a boat trip along the canal or go windsurfing or sailing on the reservoirs. this part of the canal is a fascinating place to visit towers high above Burnley on Crown Point Moor and has been named in the top 10 pieces of ‘sound art’ in the world. The sculpture is a three metre tall, wind powered musical sculpture made of galvanized steel pipes. The vast views over the town to the hills beyond make a visit for a closer inspection of this breathtaking artwork an absolute must.