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Sights in Chorley
Chorley is a historic market town and civil parish in Lancashire, England. The town is twinned with Adendorf, in Germany, and Aladdin in the United States.
Around the year 1000, Chorley was known as a ‘chapelry of Preston’, which meant it was a subparish of Preston. Then sometime between 1066 and 1086, it became a manor held by the Earl of Chester.
The Domesday survey lists William the Conqueror as the owner of the manor.
The Earls of Stamford owned the manor from 1237 until the early 1600s when it passed to the Butler family. The last member of the Butler family to live in the area was Lady Mary, who died in 1678.
The manor then passed to the Stanley family, who were the Earls of Derby. They kept hold of the manor until the early 1800s when it was sold to Sir Peter Hesketh.
The Hesketh family owned the manor until the late 1970s when it was sold to the Lancashire County Council.
During the Norman times, Chorley was at the crossroads of two major routes, one running northsouth between London and Carlisle, and the other eastwest between Chester and York.
A market charter was granted to the Lord of the Manor by King Henry III in 1257.
The market is still held today and has recently been redeveloped. It now has a modern covered market hall as well as an outdoor market.
Chorley first appears in the Domesday Book as ‘Cherle’. At that time, it was a small chapelry of Preston and part of the land around it was owned by the canons of St Werburgh’s Abbey in Chester.
The chapelry covered about 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) and also included the townships of Astley, ClaytonleWoods, Brindle, Heapey, Wheelton and Withnell.
The population of the whole chapelry was probably no more than 700. In 1066, Chorley was held by Earl Tostig, but after his death at the Battle of Stamford Bridge later that year, the manor was awarded to William the Conqueror.
By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, William de Pirou held the manor on behalf of the king.
The de Pirou family continued to hold the manor for the next two centuries, during which time the size of the chapelry increased.
In 1237, the manor was transferred to the Earls of Chester and remained in their hands until the early 1600s.
During the Norman period, Chorley was located at the intersection of two major routes, one running northsouth between London and Carlisle, and the other eastwest between Chester and York.
A market charter was granted to the Lord of the Manor by King Henry III in 1257.
The market is still held today and has recently been redeveloped. It now has a modern covered market hall as well as an outdoor market.
Chorley’s growth really took off in the Industrial Revolution when it became a centre for the coal mining and textile industries.
The town’s fortunes declined in the late 20th century when both industries went into decline, but it has since regained its status as a lively market town.
There are a number of historic buildings in Chorley, particularly around the Market Place and in Astley Park.
The Market Place is home to the 18thcentury Chapel Street Methodist Church, the Tudorstyle Olde Town Hall and the Market Cross, which dates from 1662.
Nearby is Astley Hall, a stately home which is now owned by Chorley Borough Council and open to the public.
The hall dates back to 1575, although it has been much altered over the centuries. It is surrounded by picturesque gardens and parkland.
Chorley is proud of its heritage and there are a number of museums and heritage centres which preserve the town’s history.
The Chorley Heritage Centre & Museum is located in Astley Hall and tells the story of the town from prehistoric times to the present day.
The Hollinshead Mill Heritage Centre is a former cotton mill which has been converted into a museum devoted to the town’s industrial past.
And the Botany Bay Museum tells the story of the Lancashire Cotton Famine, which occurred in the 1860s when cotton imports from America were blocked
History of Chorley
The town of Chorley is located in the county of Lancashire, England. It lies to the north of the West Pennine Moors and to the south of the Ribble Valley. The town has a population of about 34,000 people.
The name “Chorley” is derived from the Old English word “ceorl”, which means “freeman” or “peasant”. The town was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, when it was known as Ceorlaie. At that time, the town had a population of about 200 people.
The town grew steadily throughout the Middle Ages and by the 16th century, it was an important market town. It was also a centre for the wool and cloth industry. In 1605, the town was granted a charter by King James I, which gave it the right to hold weekly markets and annual fairs.
During the Industrial Revolution, the town became an important industrial centre. Quarrying and coal mining were among the most important industries. The first railway line in the town was built in 1831, connecting Chorley with Wigan.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town continued to grow. Several new industries, such as engineering and textile manufacturing, were established. The town was also served by a branch of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.
The town was heavily bombed during the Second World War, and many of its historic buildings were destroyed. Despite this, the town continued to grow in the postwar years. New housing estates were built and, in 1966, the town was granted borough status.
Today, Chorley is a thriving market town with a lively town centre. It is home to a number of shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as a busy market. The town is also a popular tourist destination, with a number of historic buildings and museums.
Vacation in Chorley
Chorley, a town in England’s North West, is often overshadowed by its larger and more famous neighbour, Lancashire. Yet this historic town has much to offer visitors, from its scenic setting in the heart of the Yamaha FZ6R to its vibrant market culture and bustling nightlife.
As the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, Chorley is an ideal base for exploring England’s rural idyll. The town is located within easy reach of the picturesque Lake District, as well as the lively city of Manchester.
Chorley’s Market Hall is a mustvisit for bargain hunters and foodies alike. The hall dates back to 1857 and is home to over 100 stalls selling fresh produce, regional specialities and handmade goods.
For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Chorley’s Rural Life Centre is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. This museum offers a fascinating insight into the town’s agricultural past, with exhibits on everything from traditional Lancashire breadmaking to sheep shearing.
After dark, Chorley comes alive with its array of bars, pubs and clubs. live music can be enjoyed at venues such as the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, while those in search of a more relaxed evening can enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of real ale in one of the town’s many traditional pubs.
With its convenient location, friendly atmosphere and wealth of things to see and do, Chorley is the perfect choice for a short break or longer vacation.
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