Check out Chorley this Spring
Winter is over and now is the time to get out and check out Chorley’s beautiful countryside, historic houses and fabulous food and drink.
From stunning cycling and walking routes through picturesque villages to wildlife spotting in parks and amazing attractions, there’s plenty to do in Chorley this spring. Here we have five suggestions on how you can make the most of this blossoming season, no matter what your age or interest.
Cycling and walking
Chorley is a great place to cycle and with the Chorley Grand Prix on Easter Saturday, spring is most definitely the time to get out and about on your bike. If you are up for a challenge why not take on the Chorley Grand Prix route yourself, which starts and finishes on Park Road in Chorley town centre and takes in 23 miles of scenic Chorley countryside.
For those that prefer to explore by foot, you can enjoy many memorable days out walking around the Chorley borough. From hill walking, including the annual hike to Rivington Pike on Good Friday, to leisurely rambles and family walks, embark on an adventure this spring and take in the historical features, wonderful waterways and good pubs along the way.
Flower finding
Chorley is blooming marvellous in the spring with snowdrops poking up in most parks and open spaces especially Astley Park where there is a dedicated snowdrop trail. Simply start at the paved steps close to the dam bridge. These are soon followed by daffodils, which can be found almost everywhere, cherry blossoms, which look particularly spectacular in Coronation Recreation Ground off Devonshire Road and magnolia flowers with the magnificent magnolia trees in Astley Park’s Walled Garden and to the side of Astley Hall facing the lake. And if you take a walk in Duxbury Woods or around Rivington in late spring you’ll be treated to beautiful scatterings of Bluebells.
History awakened
Spring is the perfect time to explore Chorley’s history as the borough’s historic houses and surrounding gardens and lawns come to life. Astley Hall reopens in March after two months of conversation work to improve the structure of the Grade 1 Listed house. View the most breath-taking mid-century plaster ceilings in the country, travel through time to discover the families who once owned the Hall and see the Sirloin Chair, which is reputed to have been used by King James I when he knighted the loin of beef. If you want to explore this story further also go to Hoghton Tower, which is celebrating the 400 year anniversary of the knighting with exhibitions and events.
Spring feasting
The Chorley borough is brimming with good pubs and restaurants offering delightful spring menus to tempt your taste buds. Afternoon Tea has become a popular pastime in recent years and Chorley is not short of fabulous tea rooms and establishments that offer this special treat with The Old Stables Vintage Tea Shop in the town centre, The Grapes at Croston and Shaw Hill, to name but a few. For those who like a good quality spring tipple, Chorley town centre has seen a recent upsurge in micro pubs and bars including the Ale Station, Shepherds’ Hall Ale House, Latch and Speakeasy all on Chapel Street, Bootleggers on Bolton Street, The Bob Inn in Chorley Covered Market and the D’Owd Inn on Market Street. Slightly further out, you’ll also find the Filling Factory No.1 in Buckshaw Village.
If you’re the cook of the house, make sure you pay a visit to one or all of Chorley’s marvellous markets offering fresh spring produce including Chorley Markets, the monthly farmers market at Hoghton Tower, Botany Bay and Heskin Farmers Market and Craft Centre.
Easter fun
Finally, spring wouldn’t be the same without some ‘eggcellent’ fun and games to celebrate Easter. For some ‘eggciting’ egg hunts, crafts and more to entertain the children this Easter, check out the listings in the latest What’s Happening Magazine.
