Astley Hall and Park, Chorley, Lancashire. Paid Admission
Details
Accessibility:
Parking available, with some designated disability bays. Paths are generally flat and laid to stone. Automatic double doors at main entrance. Toilets available on-site, with disability access and baby-changing facilities. Lift access to upper floor. Due to the historical nature of the buildings some upper levels may not have lift access. Astley Park is generally accessible to all, however some areas may be uneven and laid to grass.
All under 5s, people with disabilities and their carers will get free admission
There is an access guide at https://astleypark.co.uk/homepage/6/map-and-access#Accessibility%20Information
Brief Description:
Museum and art gallery located inside Astley Hall. Surrounded by woodlands and gardens within Astley Park https://chorley.gov.uk/astleypark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astley_Hall,_Chorley
"Astley Hall is a country house in Chorley, Lancashire, England. The building is now owned by the town and is known as Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery. The extensive landscaped grounds are now Chorley's Astley Park.
In 1922 the house and its contents were given to Chorley Corporation by Reginald Tatton, as a memorial to the local men killed in World War I. It has since been maintained as a museum. The house contains fine oak furniture, Flemish tapestries and wooden panelling. It is rumoured that Oliver Cromwell stayed at the Hall during the Battle of Preston in the 17th century, and reportedly left his boots behind. However, recent research shows that these may not be his own boots, although this does not rule out him visiting the Hall. A wide range of temporary exhibitions are displayed in the art gallery throughout the season and events are organised throughout the year.
The plain classical brick stable block with pedimented centre is of c. 1800.
The grounds with a small lake were landscaped by John Webb and feature a picturesque meandering stream running through a wooded ravine.
The Park, Coach House and Walled Garden have recently been renovated with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Chorley Council. An extensive project has seen the restoration of the 17th century ha-ha, de-silting of the lake, felling of trees, moving the pets' corner and extensive renovation of the coach house and walled garden. The Coach House now houses a new art gallery and conference room on the first floor, with a café and gift shop on the ground floor.
In 2021, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle chose the Hall for the G7 Speakers' Meeting"
Further Information
Address:
Astley Hall & Park, Off Hallgate, Astley Village, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 1XA.
Email:
Phone:
01257 515151 during office hours. At weekends between 12:00noon-4:30pm please call 07949 164708
Website:
https://astleypark.co.uk/hall/
https://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/astley-hall-coach-house-and-park-p1723
https://www.facebook.com/astleyhallpark/?locale=en_GB
Opening Hours:
https://whichmuseum.co.uk/museum/astley-hall-and-coach-house-chorley-2981/opening-hours Please see website for further details.
https://astleypark.co.uk/homepage/6/map-and-access#Opening%20hours%20and%20admission%20information
Paid Admission. All under 5s, people with disabilities and their carers will get free admission
Directions:
Situated 10.7 miles South/West of Blackburn via A674, B6228, B6229, A581.
10.1 miles East of Rufford via A59, A581.
9.6 miles North of Wigan via B5376, A5106, A6.
OS SD574183.
"Astley Hall, Coach House and Park is located minutes away from Chorley town centre, and off junction 8 of the M61. By car:
SatNav - PR7 1XA
Chorley is easy to find, just off junction 8 of the M61. From there follow the many tourist signs to Astley Hall, which is to the west of the town centre, through Astley Village taking you to the Hallgate end of the park. Alternatively you could park in Chorley town centre and walk through Astley Park (from the Park Road entrance or through Queens Road car park) to Astley Hall.
The Hall Gate entrance to the park has a free car park (just 300m from the front of the Hall).- main entrance - Park Road, Chorley, PR7 1QS
- entrance 2 - Hallgate, Astley Village, PR7 1NP
- entrance 3 - Ackhurst Lodge, Southport Road, PR7 1ED
There is also plentiful low cost parking in Chorley town centre should you choose to access the park from the Park Road entrance. Some town centre car parks offer free parking after 1pm on Saturdays and all day Sundays. Information on town centre car parks can be found here.
You'll also find Ackhurst Lodge car park (free) off Southport Road, next to the woodland/lodge entrance to the park.
Astley Park can be accessed by multiple entrances: the Hallgate entrance (off Chancery Road) which is the entrance closest to Astley Hall, the Coach House, cafe and shops and has a free car park. The park can also be accessed by foot through the town centre entrances (through the main gates off Park Road or from Queens Road car park), and also via Ackhurst Lodge (Southport Road) by foot with a walk through woodland to access the Astley Hall end of the park. There is a free car park next to Ackhurst Lodge."
Transport:
Bus services operate in and around the area, with stops located along Chancery Road. Please note there is a short walk to the Hall. Chorley railway is the closest station to Astley Hall. Easily accessed by car, with allocated disabilty bays.
2025: "By bus
Chorley is served by regular buses from surrounding areas. from Chorley bus station, the 109A/B bus services runs every hour to Astley Village.
By train
Chorley is on the Blackpool/Preston/Manchester line, only 30 mins from the centre of Manchester, with Chorley train station approimately 20 minutes walk to Astley Hall, through the Astley Parks entrance on Park Road.
Euxton Balshaw Lane train station (on the Liverpool/Wigan/Preston line) is approximately 30 minutes walk to Astley Hall."
For more travel information go to http://www.traveline.info or call 0871 200 22 33.
Amenities:
There is a cafe situated within the grounds of Astley Hall, serving hot and cold foods, snacks, cakes and beverages. Open 7 days a week.
2025: "The Coach House and Farm House are also home to the Astley Hall Museum Gift Shop, Cafe Ambio, Barrica in the Park and the Chorley Family History Research Centre.
You can have an amazing day out at the park with everything it has to offer such as Astley Hall itself, playgrounds, sports pitches, delicious refreshments from Cafe Ambio, shopping at Barrica Wines plus our museum gift shop and information centre.
Gift Shop & Information Centre:
The Astley Hall Museum Gift Shop and Information Centre provides a range of locally sourced, sustainable gifts inspired by the history of the Hall and its surroundings, as well as an enhanced visitor experience.
It’s a great place to find out more about the hall, the people who lived and served there, other attractions in Chorley, plus a fabulous display of burial urns found at the site that are 3000 years old.
The Astley Hall Museum Gift Shop is open weekly in line with the opening hours of the hall.
Cafe Ambio
Treat your taste buds at the stylish Café Ambio, located in the Coach House. Whether its breakfast, lunch, coffee and a cake or an afternoon tea, the food and drink at Café Ambio is regionally sourced and beautifully prepared. "
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
927 metres*
Chorley Shopmobility ( Telephone number is 01257 260888)
1,201 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.