Awesome autumn adventures in Chorley
Is it just us that love autumn? No, we didn’t think so! Autumn is quite simply awesome in Chorley with lots of places to explore on crisp and crunchy welly walks, colourful trees lining our cycling routes, lots of ghostly goings-on for Halloween and so much more.
Here are our top reasons why autumn is so awesome in Chorley. Check some or all of them out this year and share your awesome autumn photos with us by using #checkoutchorley on social media.
Wonderful welly walks
Gather family and friends, get your wellies on and go on an autumn adventure through one of Chorley’s many woods, parks and open spaces. Whatever the weather, keep the kids entertained looking for wildlife or setting off in search of an adventure playground.
With 43 hectares to explore, Astley Park is perfect for a welly walk. The boundary of the park is ancient woodland and features short trails and views of the River Chor. There’s also the Royalists and Roundheads adventure playground to conquer, Pets’ Corner and Café Ambio for a well-earned treat at the end of your walk.
For a longer walk, try Yarrow Valley Country Park with wonderful woodland pathways, covered in crisp and crunchy leaves and trees as far as the eye can see in warm seasonal colours. Highlights include Duxbury Woods, Big Wood and Copperworks Wood as well as exploring the magnificent Big Lodge, which is the home of swans, geese and ducks. Explorers might also appreciate the delights of the Small Lodge, Top Lodge and the Weir, which features a fish ladder to the side, a purpose built viewing platform and is at its spectacular best following periods of heavy rain. And not forgetting the adventure playground to burn off any energy that might be left.
If your little or big ones fancy being king or queen of the castle, embark on an adventure to Rivington Pike where you’ll find historic trails and spectacular views for miles around at the very top.
Trick or treat the family
As well as falling leaves, autumn also means pumpkins, witches and other spooky goings on with Chorley ready and waiting to welcome all you ghouls and ghosts for Halloween. With a spooky series of activities on offer over at Ghastly Astley Hall, you’ll feel ghoulish if you miss out! There’s everything from the Ghastly Astley Halloween Fun Day and the Astley Walled Gardeners’ Pumpkin Carving Day on Saturday 27 October to the Fright Night Film Night on Wednesday 31 October.
In Chorley town centre there’s plenty of spooky distractions for the children while you shop including free arts and crafts in Market Walk with the Art Venturers on Thursday 25 October.
Finally, at Hoghton Tower you can take a creepy tour with all the family from Sunday 21 to Sunday 28 October or ascend the long drive of reputedly the third most haunted house in Britain for a Hoghton Tower Ghost Tour on selected evenings from October to February.
Remember, remember it’s nearly November
If you’re looking for some spectacular organised bonfire and fireworks displays, Chorley has three! The first to fire their fireworks is Chorley Council who light up the skies over Astley Park and Chorley town centre with an out-of-this-world display, a traditional bonfire and food and drink from 6.30pm on Friday 2 November.
Next is the popular display at Duxbury, with the Red Bank Scouts leading the firework fun from 6pm on Saturday 3 November. Then on Bonfire Night itself, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service light up the night sky with a charity bonfire and fireworks display at their training centre, off Westway, in Euxton, Chorley. It’s £4 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for a family of four with gates open from 5.30pm on Monday 5 November.
Holiday adventures
If your children are all about having a great time and getting active during the school holidays, check out Rock and River in Mawdesley. Their holiday activity programme is a great opportunity for young people to experience challenging, adventurous activities, make new friends and return to school healthier and more confident.
Every day is unique as children try each of the exciting outdoor activities. Leave them with Rock and River’s experienced fully qualified instructors to have the time of their lives.
If you want another adrenalin rush, days out at Go Ape, Rivington, are about living life a little more adventurously, having fun with friends and family and getting in touch with your inner Tarzan aaa-awaa-awaa!
With breath-taking scenery, amazing autumn tree top obstacles and awesome zip lines, (one of which will take you across a bay in the reservoir!), you’re sure to have a great day out that you won’t forget.
Plus, you get to see the rugged hills, picturesque reservoirs and woodlands bursting with wildlife that make Rivington one of Chorley’s ‘must visit’ locations.
With all this waiting for you, make sure you check out Chorley this autumn and don’t forget to share your awesome autumn photos with us by using #checkoutchorley on social media.
