Astley Hall is a museum and art gallery housed within a Grade I listed historic house. The Hall is set within the beautiful surroundings of Astley Park which include historic woodland, a lake, a fully renovated Victorian walled garden alongside clean and modern facilities for visitors to enjoy.
The Hall is perhaps best known for its stunning Jacobean plasterwork ceilings and the house is built around an internal Elizabethan courtyard. The four wings of the house were extended by the families who lived here and most of the original features are retained to this day.
The walled garden is a dedicated event space and since the Heritage Lottery funded renovation project in 2009 it has built up a varied programme of cultural events throughout the year. The east facing part of the walled garden is home to a community food growing project and includes a small orchard alongside raised beds full of vegetables, fruits, herbs and salads. Much of the produce is used by Café Ambio, the onsite café within the Coach House building.
Café Ambio is open 7 days a week. The team are passionate about locally sourced home-made food, freshly baked scones, cakes, quality coffees Café Ambio is open 7 days a week. The team are passionate about locally sourced home-made food, freshly baked scones, cakes, quality coffees and refreshments.
Access
Astley Hall
Due to the historic nature of the Hall only the ground floor is accessible to people with wheelchairs. Although there is a DVD available to watch to give you a video tour of the upper floor rooms. Please speak to the staff on duty about watching this.
Astley Hall is in the process of a 10-year conservation plan and some of the period rooms may be closed during your visit.
Astley Hall Coach House
The Coach House is entirely wheelchair accessible and includes a lift in order to provide access to the first floor.
Astley Park
The rest of the park is largely accessible as an open space although paths within the woodland can be unsuitable for wheelchair users and it is advised that care is taken in these areas.
Astley Farmhouse
Due to the historic nature of the Farmhouse only the ground floor exhibition space is accessible to people with wheelchairs.
The Chorley Heritage Centre Exhibition is in an upstairs gallery accessed by stairs.
