Lancashire

Chorley The Five Minutes Spare Guide

Chorley The Five Minutes Spare Guide
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Chorley In Lancashire: in Less than Five Minutes!

Ever wondered what it’s like to visit Chorley? Wonder no more, with the Five Minutes Spare Tour.

Set in lovely Lancashire, the market town of Chorley is a great place to visit and a pretty nice area to live in too. They have a great little theatre which has plenty of parking, a renowned local market and a football team that recently reached the heady heights of the National League Premier Division (tier 5). If that’s not covered on your checklist then how about a history that dates all the way back to the Dark Ages!

This intrigued us enough to want to get to know Chorley better, and we are happy to say this is yet another hidden gem that should be on your shortlist when looking at staycations or days out in the county.

Anyway, that’s the initial sales pitch over so let’s delve into the history of Chorley and see what comes up. Then, we’ll take a look at the attractions you might find there on your visit. Ready, then let’s go!

The Early Days of Chorley

Chorley in a form we recognise dates to the Thirteenth Century when it was established by the Earl of Derby in 1250. It is thus one of the English towns not included in the Domesday Survey of 1086. However, it is likely that area was inhabited prior to this and archaeological evidence reaching as far back as 3500 BC has been found in the nearby moors. A Roman road (the A6) cuts through the area, so it is possible there were villas, stables, or a bathhouse in the area as a rest stop.

The initial foundations of the town were built in 1250and at the time it6 was no more than a couple of streets. It no doubt grew over the next 70 or so years however in 1322 Robert The Bruce no less destroyed the town in his “Great Raid of 1322“. Subsequently, Chorley Old Hall was built by Robert de Chorley in 1330 but little else is recorded about the town in this era other than the fact that St Laurence’s Church was there in 1362.

Chorley Market began in 1498 and it also had an annual fair which would have been well attended given it is close to Manchester. Otherwise, the area was dominated by a handful of wealthy families during the 1400s & 1500s and it was not until the turn of the 17th Century that the town began to grow in earnest.

17th & 18th Century Chorley

The plague struck Chorley in 1631 leaving many members of the parish dead. However it did recover from this and by 1666, there were 232 houses liable for the hearth tax… an early version of council tax. In 1643, the first incident of the Civil War was recorded. Some Lords were moving south following the Duke of Hamilton’s forces. There were a few small skirmishes, but no real fighting took place. The town’s market thrived through it all though and records indicated that in 1673, it was much improved on the one prevalent in the 1500s.

Chorley escaped the ravages of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 & 1745. By and large, they managed to avoid lots of English in-fighting because they were further north than most. They were also fiercely loyal to the king, or they just didn’t care, but whatever it was it kept them out of trouble.

Before we dive into the Industrial Revolution in Chorley, let’s break from the history to look at some fun facts. Every town has fun stuff going on behind the scenes and we love to dig it up!

 



 

Chorley Fun Facts and Trivia

We try to keep these as light as possible but, full disclosure, some British towns are just morbid. Chorley has a happy history, though. Apart from a plague or two, it managed to avoid most of the wars. Sort of.

Here are some of the Five Minutes Spare favourite trivia points about Chorley:

Chorley Cakes

Image: Chorley Cakes/Shutterstock.com

  • Richard Green of Heapey allegedly used Chorley as a base for his Groat forging empire. He was twice accused of making imitation’s of the king’s money but was acquitted both times.
  • In the 1790s, the town got freshwater via aqueduct, something not so common in those days.
  • The town has its own delicacy the Chorley Cake! This is a less sweet version of the similarly famed Eccles cake. So if you like your Currant slices a little less sugary these are for you.
  • The Later-Day Saints Temple is the largest centre of the Mormon Church in Europe.
  • A Royal Ordnance Factory was situated in a nearby village during WWII, which led to an influx of workers in the area.
  • Chorley’s market might have been small back in medieval times, but it is widely considered to be one of the best in the county nowadays. Residents know that you don’t take the car into the town centre on a Tuesday because of the traffic. Hopefully, this returns to normal, soon.
  • Bronze Age burial sites, as well as flint arrowheads, have been found on the local moors. So, keep an eye if you are out hiking – you might find some!
  • Chorley has a couple of twin towns Székesfehérvár in Hungary & Lanzhouin China

Now that we are all a little refreshed, let’s get back to the story of how Chorley came to be the town we know and love today.

The Industrial Revolution in Chorley

The Industrial Revolution in Chorley started early, around 1750. This was when cotton was first brought to the town. By 1779, the town had already gained several spinning machines, but worker’s riots from nearby towns spilt over into the rest of Lancashire. Rioters came to the mills in that same year and destroyed some of the vital machinery used.

A painter created a picture of early Chorley, growing up around the manor. The artist depicts the manor in the distance, with a view down a busy street between two-story houses. Chorley must have had some sort of population by then. That was 1795, however, when the industrial era had already hit Chorley.

By the 1800s, there were cotton spinning mills and bleaching plants on the Chor and the Yarrow, the two main waterways near town. Lead, Allum, coal, ashlar, flag, and millstone were all worked in nearby quarries. A canal was dug through town, allowing another method for goods to travel. It’s fascinating the number of goods that were made here at the time. They include muslins, jaconets, wagons, boilers, chemicals, dyes, wooden furniture, beer, calico, and bleach works, cotton and gingham goods.

The railway finally made its way through Chorley in 1846, with another line added to Blackburn in 1868. By the end of the century, they had two newspapers running, a regiment and an artillery battery, a town hall, a marketplace, and had several manors in the surrounding countryside. Chorley was a large, thriving industrial town.

Famous People to Come from Chorley

While we are plugging away at the history, we are all drifting off. Let’s take a break, put the kettle on, and browse through some of the famous people to have come from Chorley. Every town has famous faces, so here’s who you might meet in Tesco if you choose Chorley for your staycation:

  • Remember the band Starsailor? Their hometown was Chorley.
  • Dave Spikey, who used to be a team captain on 8 out of 10 cats, is from Chorley.
  • Famous opera singer with a 25-year career Amanda Roocroft is from Chorley, too.
  • And a surprising number of politicians and priests.

OK, so that wasn’t a stunning list, but there are a few good names on there. Chorley is a nice place with a small population, so they’re not doing so bad.

Let’s get back to the modern era, this history isn’t going to report itself.

The Last Two Hundred Years in Chorley

Getting back to the modern ages, then. Chorley had already reached its peak in the Industrial ages. When things started to decline, so did the size and strength of the town. The cotton industry had all but dried up by the start of the First World War. Poverty had also caught up with them. A population boom with no houses for people meant that families were squashed ten to a room, living in slums.

Like many industrial towns, the councils eventually introduced social housing in the 20s, but they wouldn’t start slum clearance until after the First World War. During WWI, many of the young men of fighting age would have left. The Chorley Pals Company was one of the infamous PALS regiments, where people from whole regions were lumped into the same regiment. These regiments are the reason soldiers are now sent to regiments away from their home area. There are 268 names in the book of remembrance from WWI in Chorley.

Chorley was bombed a few times in WWII. Fortunately, most of the bombings were aiming at the nearby munitions factories so there were few civilian casualties. One or two houses were damaged though and the home guard patrolled the streets, as recalled by one young lady on the BBC.

Post War Chorley

After the men returned from the war and the factories were re-purposed, Chorley was still an important coal-mining town. Cotton had declined sharply, to be replaced with several new coal pits. The Coppuli colliery was one of the biggest in Lancashire, and the last pit was still open right up until the 1980s.

Nowadays, Chorley has many abandoned quarries and pits around the area. Industrial machinery and old mining fixings can be seen out in the moors and hills. The final manufacturing plant was closed in 2008 by BAE systems, and Chorley went into an economic downturn. As the old industries died out, its economy turned to shipping, distribution, and logistics. Hospitals in the area are also big employers, but the tourism industry could be doing with a boost… and that’s where you guys come in!

Take a trip down to Chorley this summer, making sure to spend in the town centre and help the locals out. Let’s start investing back into areas like this, which have been left a little worse for wear since the wars. Chorley has been an important part of England’s Industrial Heritage, even helping them produce the weaponry that won us WWII. Let’s encourage them now with some cash input… Staycations are good for our economy.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at all the best things to see and do in Chorley, should you be spending time here.

Chorley Attractions

The best things to see and do in Chorley are listed below. Go and check them out for yourself and report back to us on the forum.

Historic Sights and Landmarks

If architecture is your thing then check out St Laurence’s Church is located on Union Street and is Grade II listed.  The earliest record of it is 1362, however, it could be even older and the scared grounds probably date to Anglo Saxon times. Take the kids and play spot the gargoyle (there are lots!).

St. Laurence's Church Chorley Lancashire,

Image: Keith Heaton/Shutterstock.com

The Preston England Mormon Temple is in Chorley and is open to the public most of the time. It has a café inside, gives services regularly, and attracts a huge amount of religious tourism from all over Europe. It is marked by the huge spire that can be seen from all over town and has a beautiful gateway made from arched tree branches. It is lit up from all around at night in a brilliant white light… you really get the sense of spiritual calmness here, so take a walk around the grounds if you can.

Heskin Hall is one of the preserved manor houses that used to litter the whole region. One of the few still standing, it has been lovingly restored and now functions as a hotel and wedding venue. Hire it out for an event or take the dog for a walk through the grounds, but don’t take up any of the private parking unless you are going to spend some dough in the antique centre within.

Galleries and Museums

Astley Hall is one of the many manor houses that still dot this area. Ever since medieval times, this place has been a haven for the Lords of the north. Astley Hall is a remnant of those more luxurious times. Nowadays, Astley Hall is everything. It is an art gallery and museum, function and events room, lovingly restored home, it is a park, a house, and a wildlife sanctuary?

There’s no way to explain this one, you just have to go and see it for yourself. Astley Park is attached to this building, with some of the best fountains and flowers in the local area on display.

Art lovers will be pleased to know they have not been forgotten about. Take a trip out to Hepplestone fine art, which is in the Heppleston shopping centre. They have lots of paintings from local artists and a lovely gallery to peruse.

Nearby Rivington sports a replica of Liverpool Castle. It’s a fantastic place to take the kids and is one of the weirder attractions that we have come across. Why is there a miniature version of Liverpool Castle in a Lancashire town? Local Lord Leverhulme ordered it to be built in 1892, based on the original castle that was later lost. Who knows? When you have enough money, anything is possible, and nothing is frivolous anymore… it’s eccentric.

Out & About

Being situated on the edge of the West Pennine Moors, there are plenty of nature hikes in the area. there is also the large Yarrow reservoir nearby and a few nice rives which are great for bird watchers and for fishing. The main river near the town is the Yarrow, but there are also some tributaries of which the River Chor & the peat discoloured Black Brook are of most interest.

A cherished local favourite is the Yarrow Valley Country Park. This place features ducks and swans in a pond, so you always have something to feed, nature walks, and access to the area’s wildlife. The moors feature several different species of bird and butterfly if you visit at the right time of year. It sports 700 acres of grounds and a café for you to relax in after all that walking. Kids love this place, and it does get quite busy on weekends.

If gardens are your thing, take a walk around the Ridges Gardens. Although they have been closed for Covid, the gardens are still being tended and will be in beautiful full bloom when they open again. See gorgeous tulips, bluebells, and daffodils in spring, or enjoy rhododendron, bright blossoms, and floral displays in summer. The gardens are about a mile and a half outside of town, but they are worth the tip. They have their own bed and breakfast attached if you are looking for a floral getaway.

Sports and Recreation

Chorley Theatre Lancashire

Image: George green/Shutterstock.com

 

The Chorley Theatre is well-known around town for putting on a good show. Check into one of the many restaurants in town for a pre-theatre, and then round off the night with a show. Both amateur dramatics and famous performers come through this well-known rep, so be sure to catch a show if you are in town.

Stop by the Victory Park Stadium if you happen to be a fan of football. Chorley Football Club plays there on the weekends, and you might want to take a tour or show your appreciation. They are a non-league club that was founded in 1875. We like non-league football here at Five Minutes Spare. You get a great day out and the local fans really appreciate extra support for their club. Check out our Chorley FC guide if you are planning a visit.

There is a decent skatepark nearby, which has a bowl in it. We are told that’s a good thing, but we’re not cool enough to know for sure. You can check it out or just leave the kids there on a weekend. It’s called Euxton Skatepark. It’s an outdoor park that has its own Facebook page.

Shopping and Retail

Chorley Market

Image: George green/Shutterstock.com

Chorley outdoor market is held in the town centre and there are loads of it. As we said above, locals know to avoid the centre of town on a Tuesday afternoon. The market is largely outdoors but you may find indoor sections. It’s a flea market, technically, but they sell everything you can think of.

Don’t forget to take in the fresh and fruity farmer’s market, either. Shopping in Chorley is all about stallholders.

Although not a traditional store, a trip to the Brindle Distillery in Chorley. They are proud purveyors of some of the finest Lancashire Gins, including their famous Cuckoo Gin. It’s well worth a tour but this one is for adults only, we’re afraid. You even get a tasting session thrown in.

Other Notable Attractions in Chorley

That’s not all that Chorley has to offer, either. Being the gateway to the Pennines means that you have plenty of choices in attractions. For more things to see and do (that we didn’t have time to squeeze in above), see our list below:

  • Check out yarrow valley for a 9-hole golf course or head to the Duxbury Park Golf Course for the full 18. There’s also the Chorley Golf Course, just in case two’s not enough for you.
  • The Lower Kem Mill is another nice walk, combined with remnants of an old cotton mill. Worth the educational experience at least.
  • Hire a boat for the day and sail the canal, from Ellerbeck Narrowboats.
  • Visit the Heskin Hall shopping village if you have the cash to spend.
  • We wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Chocobella, a chocolate and sweet shop loved by all in town.

There is something for all the family, and for your family friends, too. Visit Chorley this summer and see if you don’t fall in love with the markets.

How to Get There?

Now you know everything we know about Chorley, but you still might need some directions on how to get there. Follow these or stop and ask a local.

By Road

Chorley is on the A6 which is just off the M61, between junctions 6 and 8.

By Rail

Chorley Railway Station is on the Northern Line.

By Air

Your nearest airport is Blackpool International.

By Boat

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is nearby so you could travel here by barge. Now there is something to think about!

Got Five Minutes Spare?

Still on your break and want to kill more time? Head over to our home pages to delve into a world of British tour guides that you never knew existed till right now. Don’t have time but want to help us out because you enjoyed this article? You can follow us on Facebook or Instagram to do your bit.

 

 

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