Spend a relaxing 24 hours exploring Chorley’s historic houses, famous market town and surrounding countryside.

A visit to Astley Hall is like a voyage into the past, to the time of Tudor and early Stuart England (1580 – 1650) as you’ll get a rare opportunity to experience life in an English country house during this period. The Grade I listed hall is built around a central courtyard and contains a unique collection of furniture and stunning Jacobean plasterwork ceilings. In the hall stands 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, go to Hoghton Tower, just north of Chorley, a 16th century Elizabethan fortified manor-house set in magnificent grounds. After a walk around Astley Hall and its beautiful parkland pop into Café Ambio for a coffee and a slice of homemade cake.

Next stop has to be a trip into Chorley town centre for a spot of shopping at the town’s famous market. Visit on a  Tuesday and you’ll have the pick of over 150 different stalls including a fantastic range of locally grown produce and fresh seafood. Aside from the market there are plenty of shops to browse with a good mix of high street names and independents to choose from.

You can’t visit Chorley without visiting Frederick's, and sampling one of their award-winning ice creams. Perfected over four generations, the Federici family serve over 24 different flavours of ice cream from their Chorley ice cream Parlour, Massa’s. The only problem you’ll have is deciding which one to choose!

After lunch take a walk up to Rivington Pike (a historic tower, reputed to date as far back as 1138) for breath-taking views of Rivington Reservoir and beyond. If there’s time, walk down to the Anglezarke Reservoir for an easy ramble along the shore. The more adventurous can also give Go Ape Rivington a try with treetop obstacles and rope bridges.

By now you’ll be ready to relax and unwind so why not try visit The Cuckoo's Nest to try the award winning Cuckoo Gin, or even better head to the Brinde Distillery and enjoy your very own Gin Workshop. 

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Astley Hall, Coach House and Park
Historic House
Astley Hall, Coach House and Park

One of the most intriguing historic houses in the North West, Astley Hall, located in the beautiful surroundings of Astley Park, offers a fascinating look into over 400 years of history and the lives of the families who once called it home. Visitors are transported through time as the Hall’s secrets are revealed to them through the voices of Lady Susannah Hoghton and her staff. Astley Hall boasts a wonderful collection of historic items including some of the most breathtaking mid-17th century plaster ceilings in the country, rare painted panelling and fine English oak furniture. In recent years Astley Hall has undergone an extensive programme of renovation works to preserve its history for years to come.

Hoghton Tower
Historic House
Hoghton Tower

An historic house with magnificent state apartments, banqueting hall, ballroom, grounds and dolls' houses on display.

Frederick's Ice Cream - Massa's
Café
Frederick's Ice Cream - Massa's

It’s all about quality. From the interior décor through to the sourcing of the best local ingredients and the high standards of delicious home-cooked foods, you can’t go wrong at Massa’s.

Rivington Pike
Viewpoint
Rivington Pike

Rivington Pike is one of the north of England's best viewpoints. The historic tower is reputed to date as far back as far as 1138 and boasts breath-taking views of Rivington and beyond.

Go Ape Rivington
Adventure Sports
Go Ape activity

Days out at Go Ape are about having fun and creating unforgettable memories.

The Cuckoo's Nest
Lancashire Produce
The Cuckoo's Nest

Independent distillery, bar and coffee stop situated on Holmes Farm, nestled in the beautiful undulating landscape of rural Lancashire in the north west of England, in the charming, historical village of Brindle.

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