Welcome to Leyland
Leyland is a town, approximately 6 miles south of Preston, in the South Ribble borough with a population of around 40,000. The market town is conveniently located at junction 28 of the M6 motorway and just 3 minutes from the M65 & M61 making the town excellent for those commuting further afield.
The town is famous primarily for the bus and truck manufacturer Leyland Motors which expanded between the 1950s and 1970s and grew to own several British motor manufacturers which culminated in the huge British Leyland company. Today the truck business still operates as Leyland Trucks on the same site. Much of the land is now industrial units and large proportion sold over to residential development.
Traditionally Leyland was very much a family town with most of the population being employed by Leyland Motors. Different generations of the same family would work for the large employer and therefore people continued to live in Leyland.
Today Leyland is more of a commuters town due to the ease of travelling to larger cities thanks to the nearby motorway network and train station. Leyland train station is on the West Coast Main Line and therefore provides easy access to Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool plus it’s just a short journey on the train to Preston and Chorley.
There has been significant increase in new housing developments in and around Leyland over recent years however that has not impacted on the community feel. Leyland Round Table organise many events throughout the year to bring the community together.
Areas
Leyland is made up of six different areas being the town centre, Broadfield, Moss Side, Turpin Green, Wade Hall and Worden Park. The town centre is the main retail side with the railway station, library and shops nearby. Farington and Farington Moss are two small villages on the edge of Leyland town centre often associated as Leyland. Clayton-le-Woods lies on the border of Leyland and Chorley with part of the village having a Leyland address.
The most sought after area in Leyland is the residential area of Worden Park named as such due to it being located next to the beautiful Worden Park but also being the catchment area for the well regarded after Balshaws CE High School. Farington is a popular area with families due to a good mix of terraced houses to well-proportioned 3-4 bed semi-detached houses and the walkable distance to the town centre. Clayton-le-Woods is popular with being located on the outskirts of Leyland and its easy access to Chorley. Croston Road, Wigan Road and Wheelton Lane have seen a substantial increase in new builds over recent years providing much needed housing to Leyland with 2, 3, 4 bed houses. All of these new build areas have proved very popular.
Between Leyland and Chorley lies the new Buckshaw Village which has everything on hand from supermarkets, shops, dining, an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ primary school, GP Surgery and train station.
On the very outskirts of Leyland are the sought after small villages of Croston and Bretherton, under Chorley Borough Council, surrounded by beautiful countryside and with pleasant village pubs.
There is most demand for 3-4 bed family homes with gardens and driveway parking which usually means a semi-detached or detached house. However well-presented 2-3 bed terraced houses let well.
Schools
Leyland has 4 secondary schools, Academy @ Worden, Balshaws CE High School, St Mary’s Catholic High School and Wellfield Academy. Ofsted ratings report 1 school as Outstanding and 2 schools as Good. There are 13 primary schools within the Leyland area. Ofsted ratings report 1 school as Outstanding and 9 schools as Good.
Leyland is also home to the sought after Runshaw College for 16-18 education and has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Many students travel from other areas of Lancashire to attend the college. Runshaw College also has a Chorley Campus located next to Buckshaw Village.
Shopping & Dining
Leyland has everything you need on the doorstep. If you don’t drive this makes the town a perfect location.
The main Street of Leyland is Hough Lane and the town offers a wide variety of independent retailers alongside the more well-known names. There are four large supermarkets spread across town, Morrisons, Aldi, Tesco and Lidl with smaller grocery stores around all areas meaning you are never short of choice.
There is a good selection of shops across town including clothing, homewares and furnishings, chemists, florists, gift shops, food, hair and beauty, opticians, sports, electrical goods. Some of the more bespoke are Atkinson’s Jewellers a long established Leyland business, Laces and Paces specialises in children’s shoes, Peppermint Cottage for your bespoke and one-off pieces of furniture, The Furground for all your pet supplies, Rimmers Music from sheet music to instruments and Grandad Jim’s Traditional Sweet Shoppe. On a hot summers days we highly recommend a trip to Robinson’s Dairy Shop for one of their well-loved ice creams. Leyland has plenty of hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons to accommodate everyone.
Leyland Market is open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday where you can purchase fresh local produce and you can also find household products, clothing and other bits and pieces.
Leyland is home to C&W Berry, or Berry’s as it is locally known, a large builders merchants with everything for your small DIY job to home renovations.
There is a large choice of friendly cafés and restaurants, from small independents to the larger chains, with every style of food available. Here are some of our favourites The Pantry, Maeve & Willow, The Hideout, Safias Dream Desserts, Viceroy, Fat Sam’s Bar & Grill, Beijing and Med 3. There are plenty of traditional pubs and in recent years Leyland has seen a growth in the micro pubs which are proving ever popular.
Outdoors & Activities
Worden Park is without a doubt Leyland’s best outdoor green space. With 150 Acres of meadows, woodlands and playing fields, Worden Park also includes a range of attractions in its historic grounds. The park has held the Green Flag Award since the scheme begun in 1997, the only site north of London to have done so.
Worden Park is great whether you want a stroll with the dog, an afternoon out with the children, a jog around the park or even a picnic. There is plenty of space and lots of other attractions on the park. The park’s Adventure Playground is designed for all children, they will have a great time climbing and exploring the variety of play equipment or choose a round of the 9 hole crazy golf. You cannot visit the park without trying out the Hedge Maze, this historic feature is open to the public at all times and is one of very few such mazes which is free of charge to explore. Other features are the Georgian Walled Garden and Formal Gardens, miniature railway and sports pitches. Worden Craft Centre offers workshops and located next door is the Folly coffee shop where you can grab a bite to eat. Every year Worden Park hosts the annual bonfire and firework display.
Nearby in Clayton-le-woods is the outstanding Cuerden Valley Park, 650 acres to explore and discover. Awarded the Green Flag Cuerden is a working estate with parkland and farmland. It’s Perfect for dog walking, mountain biking and running. Every Tuesday and Thursday there are Community Health Walks and in summer there is the family friendly Orienteering Trail. There is a visitor centre and the Cuerden View Café. The Trust also provide education for children with bookable courses. The park host various events throughout the year .
Farington Park provides 11 acres of a much appreciated green oasis in an urban area with a playground for children of all ages. There are paths all around the park and down to the pond making the park great for a stroll, jogging and running, it’s perfect for dog walking.
Leyland Golf Club Leyland Golf Club is an 18 hole parkland course, it has a large practice area available to members and visitors, with practice bunker, chipping facilities and a 9 hole putting green. The course is professionally landscaped and has many distinctive features, including several water hazards.
Things to Do
At South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre explore the quirky timber-framed Tudor school house. The museum houses interesting collections from across the South Ribble district, as well as artifacts from its history as a grammar school. The diverse collection includes medieval artifacts and archaeological discoveries, along with a social history archive and collections from industries such as cotton manufacture, rubber industry and Leyland Motors.
Given Leyland’s history with the motor industry it’s no surprise that you can find the British Commercial Vehicle Museum here. The museum building was formally part of Leyland Motor’s and the town’s history. For most of its life it housed the Customer Inspection Department, where lorries and buses arriving from production were closely inspected by purchasers before they took delivery. In 1983 the building was transformed into The Museum. There’s always something enjoyable to see and to do. Interactive challenges and a lorry driving experience for children; films from the archives; workshops for school parties; collector and craft fairs; model maker shows; classic lorry and car events.
Fox Lane Sports & Social Club is a central hub for sports and is located in the heart of Leyland. The club is situated on a 7.5 acre site and provides an all year round calendar of social and sporting activities. These include cricket with senior and junior teams, crown green bowls, hockey with a ladies and mens team, junior football home to Leyland Albion Junior Football Club, tennis with 4 courts for juniors and adults, snooker and pool.
There are many different sports available throughout Leyland including netball, martial arts, running clubs for men and women plus there are many dance companies around for children and young adults. If you are into keeping fit you there are a host of gyms and yoga clinics.
Leyland Leisure Centre is a great place for all the family with a swimming pool, large gym and group exercise classes.
Leyland Playscheme provides valuable activities for school age children during the holidays.
Images of Leyland
