Chorley's Local Gems

I was recently challenged with the task of finding ten local gems, here are my favourite ten, what other gems do you think should be added, do you agree with my findings or do you hold the secret to more of Chorley’s hidden gems?

1   Camelot Theme Park

Camelot Theme Park a land of great knights and amazing days. A theme park where you can see the magical sorcery of a wizard one minute and knights battling it out in spectacular jousting tournaments the next. A land of fun days out, twisting, turning thrill an minute rides, of breathtaking shows and exciting entertainment.

2   Astley Hall

Astley Hall is one of Lancashire's most historic halls set in the beautiful park of the same name. This grade 1 listed building is the jewel in Chorley's crown, with stunning plaster work and architectural features. As the town's museum and art gallery it is also home to items of local historical interest. William Shakespeare and Oliver Cromwell are some of the famous guests to stay at the hall

3   Yarrow Valley Country Park

Chorley's increasingly popular Yarrow Valley Country Park is a 700-acre facility, run by Chorley Council and including a visitor centre built using Heritage Lottery funds.

Yarrow Valley was created by redeveloping the once industrial Birkacre area into a country park and haven for wildlife. It attracts thousands of visitors each year, including community and sporting groups such as the Wigan and District Anglers Association, Euxton Canoe Club, Friends of the River Yarrow and Chorley and District Natural History Society.

The Visitor Centre provides a focus for a year-round events programme which includes exhibitions, walks and talks, conservation days, children's activities and family fun days, while the community classroom is available to schools as part of the Council's determination to introduce youngsters to the delights of the countryside.

4   Botany Bay

Botany Bay offers a unique mixture of shopping, eating, gardening and playing provides interest for every member of the family.

5   Hoghton Tower

Hoghton Tower has been the home of the de Hoghton family since the Norman Conquest. Take the long drive to the 16th century and follow in the footsteps of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and King James I who, at a banquet held in his honour, famously knighted a loin of beef ‘Sir Loin’.

View the Banqueting Hall, Staterooms, Underground Passages, Dungeons and Dolls’ House Collection. The discovery trail around the gardens will reward you with magnificent views from the ramparts. Hoghton Tower is quite simply unique, the perfect location for an eventful day or evening out.

6   Cuerden Valley Park

Cuerden Valley Park is spread over 650 acres in rural Lancashire, close to Preston, Leyland and Chorley.

7   Bygone Times

Bygone Times is a unique shopping experience with something to interest and inspire every generation.

8   Rivington

With its rugged hills, picturesque resevoirs and woodland, Rivington is Chorley's mini lake District.

9   Frederick’s Ice Cream

A family owned business, Frederick’s has proudly served its customers from generations of the same family for over 109 years. Now producing over 100 flavours, Frederick’s pride themselves on the highest quality of their ice cream, made from the finest of ingredients.

10   Puddletown Pirates

The magical Kingdom of Puddletown Pirates at Botany Bay is a fun filled indoor play centre that is great for play everyday and is the ideal venue to make your childs party a great memory!