Major city · United Kingdom
Chorley
Give Chorley one night, not a base: a market town with Astley Hall and canal walks, 40 min by train from Preston and Manchester.
Chorley is a market town in Lancashire, in the West Pennine Moors, about 10 miles north-west of Bolton and 10 miles south of Preston. It is a working town with a good market, one strong historic house and a canal, rather than a destination in its own right. Most visitors use it as a stop between Manchester and Preston, or as a base for the moors and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days)
- Airports
- MAN · LPL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Chorley999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chorley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyChorley is a low-crime town and safe to walk by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire and ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAN Manchester Airport (Direct trains to Chorley in about 50 min; about 30 min by car.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable, but the sights outside town (Astley Hall, Hoghton Tower, Winter Hill) need a car or a bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Museum or sight ticketAstley Hall entryFree (check)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room£90 (≈ US$120)
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per room£85 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £75 (≈ US$100) · High £130 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAN Manchester Airport (Direct trains to Chorley in about 50 min; about 30 min by car.) · LPL Liverpool John Lennon (About 2 h by train via Manchester, or about 50 min by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Apr (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chorley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
14 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable, but the sights outside town (Astley Hall, Hoghton Tower, Winter Hill) need a car or a bus. Chorley station has direct trains to Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster and Manchester Airport. Buses run to Bolton, Blackburn, Preston and Wigan.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Direct train from Chorley, about 20–30 min
Bigger city with a market, museum and river walks; easy half-day.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Direct train from Chorley, about 1 h
Seaside, tower and illuminations; a full day.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train to Blackburn, then train or bus to Clitheroe
Castle and Ribble Valley scenery; better with a car.
Door to door: About 1 h
Direct train from Chorley, about 40–50 min
Big-city museums, food and nightlife; easy day or evening.
Winter Hill and Rivington
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or bus to Horwich, then walk
Moorland walking with wide views; go in dry weather and take a map.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chorley town centre
Walk to the market, the station and the theatre; the practical choice for one night.
Bolton Road / Chorley South
Chain hotels with free parking on the A6; best if you have a car.
Whittle-le-Woods
North of town on the canal; quieter, with a Premier Inn and a canal-side pub.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × £85 | £85 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £75 | £150 |
| Train from Manchester Airport, one way2 × £15 · check | £30 |
| Bus day ticket, one day2 × £6 · check | £12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £29 |
| Trip total≈ £161 per person per day, bed included | £322≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Chorley excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main meal | £10–16 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Chorley Cake (supermarket) | £1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Ice cream at Frederick'sDepends on size and toppings. | £3–10 (≈ US$4–14) |
| Hoghton Tower guided tour | £10 (≈ US$14) adult (check) |
| Astley Hall entry | Free (check) |
| Train Chorley → Manchester | £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) return (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- You need wheels for the scattered attractions; the moors and canal villages are not walkable from the centre.
- Hoghton Tower house entry is by guided tour only, at set times; check before you go.
- Astley Hall has limited opening (weekends and holidays, April to mid-December); the park is open daily.
- Market days vary: the covered market is fully open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with limited Monday opening.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChorleyChorley
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Chorley; the US, Canadian, Australian and Irish embassies are in London. Consulates-general are in Manchester.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chorley → Manchester, train: about £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) return, 40–50 min (check)
- Chorley → Preston, train: about £6–9 (≈ US$8–12) return, 20–30 min (check)
- Taxi across town: £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me (excuse me)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- Please — Please (please)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (can I pay by card)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (where is the toilet)
English is spoken everywhere; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chorley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MAN: last train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster around the market place, the station and Astley Park, with rescue anchors.
- Place pages with verified opening windows (Astley Hall, Hoghton Tower, Chorley Little Theatre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Canal and moor fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisit Lancashire
- officialChorley Council — markets
- officialNational Rail — Chorley station
- secondaryWikivoyage: Chorley, revision 5325001 (CC BY-SA 4.0)