Nestled between Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton and Preston lies the picturesque market town of Chorley. Just 20 miles north west of Manchester, this unique and understated Lancashire town offers first time buyers great transport links, an excellent choice of local schools and a strong community feel. Stunning scenery, picture-perfect parks, and delicious Chorley cakes seal the deal!
Chorley is home to several illustrious landmarks, including Astley Hall, a stunning example of Elizabethan architecture with a beautiful lake and walled garden. The town’s heritage is also celebrated through various annual festivals and celebrations. Our favourite, if only for its uniqueness, is the Chorley Cake Street Fair which promotes the town’s fruity, pastry-based delicacy, with a competition for local bakers to produce the largest ever Chorley cake!
More conventionally, the annual Chorley Flower Show showcases the area’s horticultural excellence. The town’s cultural scene is further enriched by the Chorley Little Theatre, a thriving arts venue in the centre of the town. Since 1960 it has been owned and operated by the amateur dramatics group CADOS, which has been putting on high-quality productions for over 85 years.
Chorley’s location also naturally lends itself to an active lifestyle and, whether exploring on foot or by bike, you won’t be disappointed! Boasting some of the best walking routes in the North West, green spaces in and around Chorley include Yarrow Valley Country Park, Cuerdan Valley Park and Rivington & Anglezarke Reservoir Walk. For spectacular views, White Coppice & Healey Nab has panoramic views over Chorley, while Great Hill & Brinscall Moor offers incredible views over Lancashire.
Recuperate with a pub lunch – you are spoilt for choice here. The Sea View in Whittle-le-Woods (spoiler alert – it doesn’t have a sea view!) and the Dog and Partridge in Charnock Richard both come highly recommended. There is also plenty of scope for meals out in the town centre, from brunch to late night dining, with countless cafes and restaurants offering food from around the world. A large undercover seating area allows shoppers to enjoy quality homemade food at the market.
Over 500 years since it started trading, Chorley’s market is still going strong. The covered market operates four days a week, with additional outdoor stalls lining the roads around town every Tuesday. Chorley’s Market Walk is another excellent shopping destination, adjacent to the market, with over 30 shops along an outdoor parade including M&S Food, Sports Direct, USC and Booths. Just out of town, you will find Heskin Hall Shopping Village, a unique shopping destination with an impressive array of independent stores.
As you head into the evening, Chorley is still alive and kicking, and home to many high-quality independent bars and pubs. The Cosmopolitan, a popular wine and cocktail bar, is a fine example. Many venues also host regular live music acts and themed nights. The Shed is a gem, hosting regular cheese and wine events, quiz nights and open mic evenings. Lucky 8s Rock and Blues bar is another local favourite. With such a range of venues, whatever your taste, you will find your perfect place in Chorley.
Under the spotlight
Chorley has a population of around 35,000 so, in contrast to its noisier neighbours, it enjoys a peaceful charm and has universal appeal. It is known for being a safe and welcoming town with great leisure facilities, boasts affordable homes, and has a bustling shopping scene to boot. The town is also recognised as a forward-thinking community in the UK, becoming known for its commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.
Chorley’s rich heritage is evident in the town both through its markets, dating back to the 15th century, and in Myles Standish Way, a trail commemorating the military adviser to the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, who was born locally. The town’s mining past is also clear, with abandoned mines on the outskirts of town and an old railway bridge from the Duxbury mine. Mining was, in time, replaced by the cotton industry. While the chimneys that dominated the town’s skyline in the 1970s have mostly been demolished, remnants of the town’s industrial past remain, including the Victoria Mill chimney, now part of Morrisons, mill buildings and streets of mill workers’ terraced houses. Today, the town still has a thriving economy, with key industries including manufacturing, retail and services.
Chorley is well-connected for commuters, with excellent transport links. Chorley’s railway station offers frequent services to Manchester and Liverpool, while the nearby M61 and M6 motorways also provide quick and easy access to neighbouring cities and towns. Manchester airport is also easily accessible by both car and public transport.
Finding the perfect place to live in Chorley will largely depend on your lifestyle, but there are plenty of affordable homes on the market. The town centre is obviously ideal for those who want to be close to shops, restaurants and transport links. Elsewhere, Astley Village is particularly popular with families and has excellent schools. Eccleston and Brindle are ideal for buyers looking for a more rural setting, while Heath Charnock – another scenic area – is perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities.
5 reasons we love… chorley
- A breezy commute to Manchester or Liverpool
- Its green credentials
- An abundance of beautiful countryside to enjoy
- Consistently ranked as one of the safest places to live in Lancashire
- Chorley cakes – so good they have their own annual street fair!
Fact File
Average property price in Chorley (June 2025) – £205,425
Property breakdown*
Detached – £329,618
Semi-detached – £203,594
Terraced – £162,764
Flat – £114,955
*According to the Land Registry House Price Index
Famous Residents
• Actor, comedian and writer
Steve Pemberton
• Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Bethany Black
• Musician and Starsailor frontman James Walsh
• Actor Joe Gilgun
• Great British Bake-Off winner John Whaite
Homes on the market…
CHORLEY, LANCS
Eaves Green
Situated in Coppull on the edge of the beautiful Yarrow Valley Country Park, these Shared Ownership three bedroom semi-detached and mews houses are perfect for family living. Just 10 minutes from Chorley town centre, these energy-efficient homes offer a high specification with a modern kitchen/dining area to the rear with French doors leading to a landscaped garden, and a lounge at the front. Upstairs are three bedrooms with an en suite to the main bedroom plus a modern family bathroom. There is also off-road parking.
Chorley is surrounded by beautiful green spaces, and the bustling town is famous for both its indoor and outdoor markets as well as the usual large high street brands. There is also an excellent selection of cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and pubs.
Coppull is well served for public transport with a bus stop down the road from the development and Chorley railway station is less than three miles away with links to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester.
snugghomes.co.uk
COPPULL, LANCASHIRE
Church View
These two and three bedroom semi-detached homes located in Coppull are nestled in a charming semi-rural setting but just a few minutes’ walk from shops and amenities. Coppull has so much to offer and Lancashire’s beautiful countryside is right on the doorstep. The three bedroom homes come with a spacious kitchen/diner to the rear, integrated appliances in the kitchen, a separate laundry area and a large lounge to the front. There is also a useful WC downstairs in both house types and French doors that lead out to a landscaped garden. Upstairs are two or three well-proportioned bedrooms – two doubles or two doubles and a single – the three bedroom home has an en suite to the main bedroom.
Chorley’s busy town centre is just three miles away and has everything you could need, including the famous Chorley markets, high street shops and a range of cafes, restaurants, pubs, a leisure centre and Post Office. Situated on the edge of the lovely Yarrow Valley Country Park, you really can experience the best of all worlds. Chorley railway station is just three miles away, with national rail links to Manchester, Blackpool and beyond.
For further information and to register your interest contact Snugg Homes at
sales@snugghomes.co.uk or call 01942 267 819
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
