Welcome to Chorley
Chorley is a market town, with a population of around 34,000 surrounded by beautiful countryside, it is located south of Preston and just 5 miles south of Leyland. Chorley Town is the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Chorley which has an overall population of around 188,00.
Chorley has a rich heritage, historic houses, picturesque villages, a wealth of stunning and peaceful parkland, wonderful waterways, outdoor adventures on foot or bike, family fun, lively leisure activities and more. Chorley Town centre is larger than its neighbouring town of Leyland and therefore has more amenities. There is something for everyone no matter your age!
Chorley lies on the northwest periphery of the Greater Manchester metropolitan area. The town is located just off junction 8 of the M61 motorway with quick and easy access to the M6 and M65. This makes the town a good location for those who need to travel to the larger cities for employment.
Chorley train station is located in the town centre, opposite the bus interchange, and runs on the Manchester-Preston Line, the line is one of the busiest in the North West, with seven trains per hour in each direction during the off-peak daytime timetable. It provides commuters with easy access to Manchester City centre via Horwich and Bolton but also to Preston City centre via Buckshaw Village and Leyland.
Chorley gained its wealth, principally from the cotton industry, from the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century which was also responsible for the towns growth. Many mills littered the skyline up to the late twentieth century, most of the mills were demolished with those remaining converted for modern business purposes. Remnants of the industrial past include Morrisons chimney and other mill buildings, and the streets of terraced houses for mill workers.
Chorley is the home of the Chorley cake!
Areas
Chorley is the biggest town in the borough of Chorley, a district that includes the parishes of Adlington, Anderton, Astley Village, Bretherton, Brindle, Brinscall, Charnock Richard, Clayton-le-Woods, Coppull, Croston, Cuerden, Eccleston, Euxton, Heapey, Heath Charnock, Heskin, Hoghton, Rivington, Ulnes Walton, Wheelton, Whittle-le-Woods and Wheelton.
Buckshaw Village lies directly between Chorley and Leyland, the new and growing area has everything on hand from supermarkets, shops, dining, an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ primary school, GP Surgery and train station.
The most popular residential areas in and close to Chorley Town centre are Astley Village, Collingwood, Cowling, Duxbury Manor, Eaves Green, Gillibrand, Windsor Road and Ashfield Road. If you are looking at newer houses then we recommend looking around the housing developments off Piling Lane or Beechwood Road. Heading a little further out then Clayton-le Woods and Buckshaw Village are popular due to the location between Chorley and Leyland, all houses in Buckshaw Village are no more than 20 years old.
If you are looking to live a little more rural then any of the surrounding villages are worthy of a visit and a wander around. All are surrounded by beautiful countryside and provide a peaceful setting for a quieter lifestyle.
The most sought after homes depends on the location given Chorley covers a vast geographical area. Well presented terraced properties are popular in the town centre with 3-4 bed family homes in more demand as you head towards the outskirts of the centre. Any well-presented property in the rural villages will let well usually as these are less often available, these will usually demand a higher rental price compared to those closer to the town centre.
Schools
Chorley Town has 5 secondary schools, Albany Academy, Holy Cross Catholic High School, Parklands High School, St Michaels CE High School and Southlands High School. Ofsted rating report 1 school as Outstanding and a further 3 schools as Good. There are 13 primary schools in the town. Ofsted ratings report 2 schools as Outstanding and 11 schools as Good.
Each of the surrounding parishes have a primary school to serve the community, the above secondary schools serve the whole district.
The nearest college for 16-18 education in Runshaw College in Leyland. Thereafter further education is provided from Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Blackburn
Shopping & Dining
Chorley Town centre is a bustling town with many independent traders to high street names, it’s this combination that brings the character to the town centre.
The main retail areas are Market Street, Chapel Street, High Street, New Market Street and the Market Walk Shopping Centre. There is a good selection of shops in the town including clothing, homewares and furnishings, chemists, florists, gift shops, gaming, food, hair and beauty, opticians and sports. Some of our favourites are Grandad Jim’s Traditional Sweet Shoppe, Hutchtree Bespoke Furniture, Anise gift shop, Malcolm’s Musicland and Maidens Ladieswear.
There is lots of choice for supermarkets around the town centre. Booths and M&S Food are located on the Flat Iron car park on Union Street, Iceland is close by on New Market Street. The larger supermarkets, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, and Aldi can be found on the outskirts of the town centre.
Chorley Market has served the town for over 500 years and when both the covered market and street market is open there are 100 stalls selling everything from vegetables and fruit to clothes, beauty and toys. Tuesday is when all markets are open but if you can’t visit on Tuesdays the covered market is also open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There is also a special mixed market offering flea market bargains on a Monday. Look out for the special food and craft markets which take place the second Saturday of each month.
From dawn until dusk Chorley has plenty to offer to keep you busy and entertained. Pleasant pubs, cafes and restaurants all within a short walk of each other there is plenty to keep you refreshed and fuelled in the town centre or alternatively you might opt for a quieter setting in one of the well-established village eateries. Why not try one of our favourites Tapas Esteban, Calico Lounge, Encore and Italian Cottage in the town centre or a little further out Luciano’s at The Millstone, Astley Village Inn, The Spinners in Cowling, Retreat in Adlington, Papa Luigi’s or The Elephant in Euxton. This is just a few but there are so many more great places to dine out.
If you prefer a livelier night there are plenty of friendly and independent bars and pubs, selling real ale. If you like to party the night away then Chorley has its own nightclub.
Whether living in Chorley or just visiting you have to visit the award winning Frederick’s Ice Cream Parlour, with 120 flavours to choose from!
Outdoors & Activities
Chorley is surrounded by many green spaces no matter what your age or pace is, from beautiful scenic parks to stunning hills for more of an adventure.
Astley Park is set over 108 acres and is the perfect place for a picnic and to soak up the summer sun. As you walk from one side to the other you will find walkways leading to beautiful woodlands. You can stop by the pond to see the wildlife with the beautiful fountain, the perfect spot for a photo. As you venture further into the park there is the Royalists Retreat and toddler play areas with a pets corner, sports pitches, bowling green and tennis courts all open to the public. Take a stroll around the walled garden, sensory garden and Chorley Cenotaph or stop by Café Ambio for a bite to eat. The park hosts many events throughout the year.
Awarded Green Flag status Yarrow Valley Country Park is over 700 acres, run by Chorley Council. It contains woodlands and nature reserves, parts of the park are reclaimed collieries and other industrial sites. There are several mapped walks to enjoy the scenery and take in the fresh air, stop by the Treeface café and Yarrow Valley information centre. Children can enjoy the Yarrow Rocks play space, an area to challenge themselves. Angling is permitted on the two lodges and the park provides regular conservation events.
Winter Hill is on the border of Chorley, Blackburn with Darwen and Bolton, notably known for the Winter Hill TV Mast that can be seen from miles around, and is located on Rivington Moor and is part of the West Pennine Moors. It offers views over Lancashire and Greater Manchester, on clear days you can sometimes see Blackpool Tower and the four national parks: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Snowdonia.
Rivington Pike is a popular area for walking especially with dogs, mountain biking and taking in some breath-taking views. The Rivington Pike is a hill on Winter Hill and the Grade II* listed Pike Tower is a prominent local landmark.
Anglezarke Reservoir has a 7.24km loop which is perfect for walking or enjoying the wildlife alternatively there is a more challenging 48km loop perfect for cyclists that takes you past both Rivington and Anglezarke Reservoirs, through White Coppice, onto Brinscall and Withnell, around Roddlesworth Reservoir, behind Belmont, past Delph Reservoir and back down to Rivington.
At the foot of the West Pennine Moors is Duxbury Woods , an area of woodland and parkland. Healey Nab to the east of Chorley with rolling hills, moorland, woodland, ponds and streams. The Leeds and Liverpool runs alongside the east of Chorley.
Things to Do
Chorley Theatre has been entertaining the town since 1910 and provides a great line up of plays, films, comedy and music. It is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in the world still operating, run by volunteers from Chorley Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society (CADOS) who provide a year-round programme of plays, pantos, and musicals. They also show the latest films and well-loved classics. You can also catch all the latest films at the Reel Cinema.
Inspire, Chorley Youth Zone is located in the town centre. Open when schools are closed, they provide an inspirational environment for more than 5,000 local young people and for some, a critical lifeline. At the heart of everything they do are the hundreds of young people that access Inspire Youth Zone across the borough each week. Some of the activities on offer at Inspire include sports and arts, to music, drama and employability workshops.
At Hoghton Tower you can take a tour around the house, walk around the gardens and soak up the amazing views or enjoy an Afternoon Tea. There are events running throughout the year, sample produce from the monthly Farmers’ Market, reminisce at the Classic Car Show, take in the festivities of the Christmas Markets or join in the family fun at the Crafty Vintage Festival.
Escape Entertainment and the Oasis Bar & Restaurant are the perfect Family Entertainment Venue in the heart of Chorley Town. There is an 18 hole Floridian themed Adventure Golf Course or you can compete on one of the 6 lanes of Tenpin Bowling.
Heskin Farmers Market and Craft Centre with over 40 unique and independent shops is a little gem. With a leading art gallery, high class butchers, florist and plant centre, craft studios, food shops, ladies and gents clothing, gifts with a difference, handbags and jewellery, hair and beauty, Fredericks Ice Cream, the Crafty Potter Craft Cafe and the Two Birds Tea Room, it is the perfect destination for a relaxed shopping experience with a difference. Surrounded by beautiful Lancashire countryside, they also put on regular activities and events for all the family.
Euxton Park Golf and FootGolf Centre. The 20 acre complex, located between Leyland and Chorley offers floodlit driving range, professional tuition with video analysis and more. plus the newly opened 12 hole FootGolf couse. The UK’s fastest growing sport, it combines football with golf in a fun, friendly yet surprisingly competitive way.
Astley Hall and Coach House is set in the grounds of the beautiful Astley Park. Walk around the Grade I Listed Astley Hall with its 400 years of history, the building features some of the most breath-taking mid-17th century plaster ceilings in the country, rare painted panelling and very fine English oak furniture. The Coach House Gallery is a dedicated arts space which exhibits work by local, regional, national, and international artists. You can also visit the Astley Hall Museum Gift Shop & Information Centre or have a bite to eat at the Café Ambio.
Go Ape, Rivington is a great day for all ages, with breath-taking scenery, amazing tree top obstacles and awesome zip lines.
Bygone Times is a wonderful place to get lost if your interest is all things vintage. From vintage clothing and furniture to collectable artwork and memorabilia from yesteryear – it can all be found at Bygone Times in Eccleston.
At Cedar Farm in Mawdesley there is an unrivalled selection of independent shops and a popular café. In the art@cedarfarm building you will find talented crafts people who make and sell their products on site. The Pig Barn contains businesses specialising in creative workshops and well-being, the Design Shed is a space dedicated to cutting edge design and The Barn is home to worldwide cuisine and much more.
If you’re looking for a great track to ride your bike on, Mid Lancs BMX Club provides a fun, friendly atmosphere for all the family. The Mid Lancs BMX track is built in a quarry on Blackburn Road, Coppull and the independently-run club ensures everyone has a great, safe time, whether you’re a novice or a pro. The track is open to the general public and can be ridden at any time during the year. Take your own bike or hire a bike and all the safety equipment needed from the club.
Images of Chorley
