Astley Hall & Park
A startling glass-fronted Tudor hall in a free park with woodland play trails, a walled garden and a pets corner. Chorley's pride, and rightly so.
Rivington Terraced Gardens & Great House Barn
Chorley, Lancashire
A soap magnate built himself pleasure gardens on the side of Rivington Pike, then time and rhododendrons swallowed them. What is left is the best free adventure in this corner of Lancashire: ruined arches and tunnels, stone staircases, ornamental lakes on the terraces, and the Pigeon Tower standing on the ridge. Children treat the whole hillside as a cross between a castle and a jungle, which is roughly what it is.
Be realistic about the terrain. Everything is uphill from the car parks and the steps are steep and plentiful, so this is a walk for confident legs, not buggy wheels. Entry is free, the gardens never close, and the Rivington Heritage Trust volunteers keep slowly restoring them. Aim for the Pigeon Tower, touch it, then let gravity bring everyone back down.
Great House Barn on Rivington Lane is the reward: a 16th century stone barn doing homemade cakes, light lunches and ice cream seven days a week, with toilets in the building behind. Ours rate the ice cream above the view, which given the view is saying something.
Know before you go
- Leave the pushchair at home. The steps are steep, uneven and everywhere; a carrier for anyone small works far better.
- The Pigeon Tower car park off Sheep House Lane gives the most gradual climb into the gardens.
Worth knowing: Steep, uneven steps throughout the gardens - best for 5+, or under-fives in a carrier.
Looking for more parks & outdoors near Chorley?
Also in Chorley
Yarrow Valley Country Park
A 700 acre wooded river valley with a lodge full of ducks, colour-coded trails and Yarrow Rocks, a play area that actually lets kids take a few risks. The Treeface cafe by the main car park sorts the bribes.