There is a LOT going on with Astley Hall Park that makes me happy to recommend it to anyone! It is a beautiful park located in the heart of Chorley, and has something for everyone on a day trip in the North West.
For nature entusiasts, there are 43.75 hectares (108 acres) of rolling lawns and wooded areas. For dog walkers, this is a safe space to let your furry friend run off some energy. It is wheelchair accessible. It has a bicycle track. There is an extensive children’s play area and playing fields for football.
Simply put, it is massive, and it is free to enter. I visited in January when you would expect the cold weather to make it less attractive. If you are wearing the right clothes, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The next few photos will give you an idea of how the park has a different kind of beauty at this time of year. Winter in its glorious silhouette simplicity! I am a sucker for an ancient tree against the cold blue sky of pre-spring.
What Can Children Do at Astley Hall Park?
LOTS. It seems like the planners of this park realised that they had to serve everyone, and went out of their way to do so. There is a toddler’s play area. Children can climb the tower or swing on the ziplines at The Royalists Retreat (pictured below).
The whole area has got soft landing paving so you don’t have to worry about falls. From the tower, you can see past the ziplines to the first view of Astley Hall (below).
What is Astley Hall Like?
At the moment the interior of the hall is closed off to the public, as they are doing renovations on the West Wing. This does not detract from its day trip potential, as there is just SO MUCH to do and see in and around the park.
Astley Hall is, in a word, odd. I am not saying it is odd like the bloke on the bus you would prefer to avoid. More like it is not at all what you would expect from an English stately home in hectares of rolling countryside. It defies any sense of symmetry.
Because of the nature of the off-centre bay windows, it always seems to be in its own shadow. It is grand, while seemingly quite modest.
This sense of modesty is amplified by the fact that you can walk right up to it. There are no fences or walls to prevent you from standing right outside it and pretending you own the joint. It sounds like I don’t like the building. I really do, because it is stubbornly itself, and not a Disney-fied castle.
Final Thoughts
Many sane and entirely reasonable people think that a day trip like this should only be undertaken in the height of summer, with assurances of good weather. To them, I would say, fair point!
But for those of us who enjoy having the cobwebs blown away, Astley Park is a great choice. It is exposed in many parts, so I would make sure to dress as if expecting a breeze, even on the warmest of days. It is also quite a trek to the hall and back, so there is more than enough time for clouds to come and join you.
You will find dog walkers (and their doggie friends) galore! I found everyone I met to be friendly and cheerful, which is probably because it was a Monday and they weren’t at work. That always puts me in a good mood, too!
Visit the Astley Park website.
Astley Hall, Chorley, PR7 1XA
