Family Fun Day Ideas in Chorley for the Summer Holidays
Six weeks off school always starts with big plans and ends with everyone asking what there is left to do. If you're in Chorley and need a proper list of ideas, from parks and playgrounds to a bouncy castle in the garden, this guide has you covered.
At Wacky World Hire, we help families across Chorley and the surrounding area put on garden parties and get-togethers throughout the summer, so we've got a good sense of what keeps kids entertained once the routine of term time disappears. Here are the best family fun day ideas in Chorley this summer, plus a few options for the days you'd rather stay closer to home.
Why Chorley Works So Well for a Family Summer
Chorley has two proper country parks within walking distance of the town centre, a Grade I listed hall with grounds kids actually enjoy exploring, and leisure centres that run structured activities through the holidays. That mix means you can plan free days, paid days, and rainy days without ever driving far.
Here's a quick look at what families in Chorley tend to reach for during the summer holidays:
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A playground day at Astley Park
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Woodland walks and play at Yarrow Valley Country Park
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Swimming and activity camps at a local leisure centre
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A garden bouncy castle day when nobody wants to leave the house
Astley Park: Chorley's Biggest Family Draw
Astley Park is the obvious starting point for a family day out in Chorley, and it's free to enter. The park spans over 43 hectares and includes a playground, a petting zoo known as Pets' Corner, woodland paths, picnic areas, a sensory garden, and a walled garden.
The Playground
The playground alone is worth the trip. Inspired by the Royalists and Roundheads of the English Civil War, the play area includes a castle ruin structure, a tower slide, and a 30-metre zip wire, which makes it one of the more inventive playgrounds in the borough rather than a standard set of swings and slides.
Pets' Corner
Younger children tend to head straight for Pets' Corner. It's home to chipmunks, guinea pigs, rabbits, and ducks, and is run as a social enterprise by the Brothers of Charity Services, open every day of the week.
Astley Hall
For families who want a bit of history mixed in, Astley Hall sits at the centre of the park. It's a Grade I listed house with over 400 years of history, with entry priced at £5 for the tour, and children can pick up a quiz sheet at the door, with a small prize for those who complete it.
Yarrow Valley Country Park: Woods, Water, and Yarrow Rocks
If Astley Park feels busy, Yarrow Valley Country Park is a quieter alternative on the other side of town. It covers over 300 hectares between Chorley and Coppull, with restored mill lodges, water courses, footpaths, picnic areas, and a purpose-built visitor centre.
Yarrow Rocks Play Space
The park's standout feature for older kids is Yarrow Rocks. It's a play space designed to encourage young people to challenge themselves and take calculated risks, so it suits families with older children better than a typical toddler play area. The wider play area also includes a giant rope swing, a natural climbing wall, rock stacks, climbing frames, baby swings, and an embankment slide, which covers a decent age range in one spot.
Café and Practicalities
A café built with Heritage Lottery funding sits by the car park and information hub, serving drinks, cakes, and light meals, so there's no need to carry a full picnic if you'd rather travel light.
Rainy Day Options in Chorley
Lancashire weather doesn't always play along, so it helps to have a plan B.
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Chorley Leisure activity camps. Chorley Leisure runs holiday activity camps for ages 8 to 15 at All Seasons Leisure Centre, combining swimming sessions with sports, games, and arts and crafts.
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Swimming sessions. All Seasons Leisure Centre has a small pool with a shallow gradient suitable for younger children, alongside a main pool for the rest of the family.
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Booking ahead. Booking for swimming and activities at Chorley Leisure Centres is required and can be done online, through the app, or by phone, so it's worth sorting sessions a few days ahead during busy weeks.
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Astley Hall. The museum itself makes a decent wet-weather stop, since most of the exhibits and the quiz trail are indoors.
Bring the Fun Home: Garden Days in Chorley
Not every day of the holidays has to involve packing the car. Some of the best summer memories come from turning an ordinary Tuesday into something a bit more exciting right at home, and that's where a bit of planning around the garden helps.
This is where Wacky World Hire comes in. Based in Preston and covering Chorley and the surrounding area, we hire out bouncy castles, inflatable games, and party entertainment for birthdays, family get-togethers, or just a fun day during the school holidays. Options range from smaller bouncy castles suited to younger children through to bigger setups like an inflatable climbing wall, a base jump, or mascot entertainers for kids who want a photo with a favourite character.
A few reasons families in Chorley book with us over the summer:
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Straightforward online booking that only takes a few minutes
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Delivery and setup included, so there's no wrestling with a pump in the garden
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A range of inflatables to suit different garden sizes, budgets, and age groups
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An easy way to turn a normal school holiday afternoon into something the kids will talk about for days
If you're planning family fun day ideas in Chorley and want at least one day where nobody has to leave the garden, a bouncy castle hire is one of the simplest ways to pull that off.
Planning Tips for the Summer Holidays
A bit of organisation makes six weeks feel far more manageable. Here's what tends to work for families in Chorley:
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Book activity camps and swim sessions early. Chorley Leisure's holiday camps and popular swim times fill up quickly once the school holidays start.
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Mix free and paid days. Pair a free morning at Astley Park with a paid Astley Hall tour or a leisure centre session so the budget stretches further.
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Check for seasonal events. Astley Park regularly hosts summer fun days and family events, so it's worth checking the council's events page before you plan too far ahead.
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Save a day for staying home. A garden bouncy castle day gives everyone a break from packing bags and driving somewhere new.
Final Thoughts
Chorley has more going on for the school holidays than most people realise: a free playground with a genuinely inventive design, a petting zoo, a proper country park with woodland play, and structured activity camps for the days you need a bit of extra structure. Mix a few of those days with a garden party or two, and the six weeks off school stop feeling like something to survive.
If you want one of those days to be completely stress free, take a look at what Wacky World Hire has available for delivery in Chorley this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free things to do with kids in Chorley?
Astley Park is free to enter and includes a playground, Pets' Corner, and woodland walks. Yarrow Valley Country Park is another free option, with its play area and walking trails around the old mill lodges.
Is Astley Hall worth visiting with young children?
Yes. Entry to the hall itself costs £5, and children get a quiz sheet at the door to complete during the visit, which helps keep younger kids interested in the history on display.
Does Chorley have activity camps for kids during the summer holidays?
Yes. Chorley Leisure runs activity camps for ages 8 to 15 at All Seasons Leisure Centre, combining swimming with sports, games, and arts and crafts, and booking is required in advance.
What's a good rainy day option for families in Chorley?
Chorley Leisure's swimming sessions and activity camps work well on a wet day, as does a visit to Astley Hall, since the exhibits and quiz trail are all indoors.
Can I hire a bouncy castle for a garden party in Chorley?
Yes. Wacky World Hire delivers bouncy castles and inflatable games to Chorley and the surrounding area, with online booking and setup included, making it easy to plan around a birthday or a normal school holiday get-together.
