Check out Chorley this summer
It’s finally the summer season and Chorley is blooming with fantastic attractions, activities and events to keep you entertained all summer long and into autumn. If you’re looking for inspiration, read our suggestions below and don’t forget to watch the Check out Chorley video here.
Family-friendly parks
Whether you’re looking for a spot for your picnic, want some open space to enjoy some outdoor activities or want to keep the children entertained at a play area, Chorley has it all.
Check out Astley Hall, Coach House and Park which offers a complete day out with everything from the Royalists and Roundheads themed play area, Pets’ Corner, exhibitions and exploration in Astley Hall and delicious food and drink in Café Ambio. Or why not head over to Yarrow Valley Country Park’s adventure play area and explore over 700 acres including woodland pathways, lodges and the weir.
Cuerden Valley Park is another fantastic green space hidden away to the north of Chorley. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a picnic, walk the dog, splash in the river, explore the Pinetum, visit the walled orchard, explore the many valley and woodland walks or take part in the various events throughout the year. Plus, if you fancy a refreshment break, take a look at the Cuerden View Café.
Explore and adventure
Unlock the waterways at the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which runs through the heart of the Chorley borough, offering all of the family a great day out, especially on a sunny day. Be sure to check out the narrow boats impressively negotiating Johnson’s Hillock Locks – a series of seven consecutive locks. There’s also some fantastic canal boat companies here in Chorley offering a range of options to enjoy a morning, afternoon or evening on the canal.
If you feel like being a bit more adventurous then you can make your way to Go Ape at Rivington where you can climb your way through the tree tops and go on fantastically fun zip lines; perfect for those that are a bit of a thrill seeker.
If you’re feeling a bit more competitive then take your friends and family to Duxbury Park Golf with the new golf and games family park. Even if you’re not a golfer, there’s regular family activities including orienteering, garden games and a giant sandpit.
Blooming marvellous events
No matter what your age or interest there’s an event for you in Chorley this summer and even into early autumn and we’ve rounded up the highlights to make sure you don’t miss out.
Enjoy outdoor theatre performances in the Walled Garden at Astley Park in August and at Hoghton Tower throughout the summer.
Immerse yourself in everything floral at the award-winning Chorley Flower Show on 27 and 28 July in Astley Park and see Chorley town centre come alive with music and performance with Chorley Live on 4 and 5 October.
Tasty treats
In the summer sun, it’s time to dig the barbecues out and grab a nice cold ice cream to cool you down.
Make your way to the Covered Market in Chorley town centre where you will find a range of stalls to buy meat, vegetables and fruit, all perfect for a tasty burger or a vegetable skewer.
If you fancy a sweet treat after your barbecue, Chorley has some of the oldest and best ice cream parlours in the country with people travelling from miles around to enjoy the area’s more imaginative and traditional flavours.
Be sure to call into Frederick’s Ice Cream parlour on the A6 Bolton Road or Massa’s on Cunliffe Street in Chorley town centre to try one of their famous ice creams. With almost 120 years of family experience, Frederick’s Ice Cream is one of the oldest family-run businesses in the country, serving over 100 delicious flavours.
