Burnley is a town in Lancashire in north-west England with a population of around 74,000. The surrounding borough of Burnley has a population of around 90,000.

Burnley grew up as an industrial town in the 19th century, with its economy being based upon the textile industry (mainly cotton weaving). The textile industry has now sharply declined, leaving the town with high unemployment.

Burnley received national attention in June 2001 due to disturbances arising from social problems - mainly racial tensions but also social deprivation in White and Asian Communities. See the Burnley Task Force report for more information. The population of Burnley includes around 5,500 people of South Asian heritage and many of these are concentrated in the poorest areas of Burnley. One of which, Daneshouse, is in the top 1% of the most deprived wards in Britain. The town has also seen growing success of the far right-wing British National Party in local elections in the borough.

Burnley Football Club, nicknamed the Clarets, are founder members of The Football League, have played at Turf Moor since 1883 and currently compete in the English Championship.

Association with the Towneley family, especially around Towneley Park.