With cobblestone streets, cosy cottages and rustic pubs, there’s something about villages which make them magical places to visit. Maybe the charm comes from the slower pace of life or the picturesque buildings - either way they can provide a place to escape to, away from the stresses of modern life, even if it’s just for a day out.
You don’t have to travel far from Greater Manchester to discover pretty villages in stunning locations. There are the quaint hamlets you’ll find in the Peak District, while Cheshire boasts more than its fair share of picture-perfect settlements.
Lancashire has several hidden gems waiting to be discovered too, one of which is the beautiful village of Croston. Less than an hour’s drive from Manchester, it’s nestled in the countryside halfway between Chorley and Southport.
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In the spring and summer the village is decorated in colourful flower displays and in 2022 it won a gold award in Britain in Bloom North West. Yet Croston is just as pretty in the winter, even when there are no blooms to be seen.
It has cobblestone streets lined with red-brick terraces, a grade II-listed church and a 15th century packhorse bridge which crosses the River Yarrow. It’s a beautiful place to walk around at any time of year.
Church Street is perhaps the prettiest part of the village. It’s said to have one of the best-preserved rows of 17th century cottages in Lancashire and it could easily be a film set. In Drinkhouses Lane you’ll also find several three-storey weavers cottages dating back to the 18th century.
Although Croston feels like a quintessential English village, it actually has a very strong French connection. The village is twinned with the French area of Azay-le-Rideau, located in the Loire Valley.
Croston takes this link very seriously, it even has its own boules league and celebrates Bastille Day in July. In fact you can easily imagine someone cycling jauntily along through the village, with a baguette perched precariously in a basket.
There might not be any boulangeries in Croston, but it does have several pubs where you can tuck into traditional English fare. Overlooking the village green is The Wheatsheaf, which has cosy snugs where you can warm up after exploring the village.
Or visit The Lord Nelson, which claims to be Croston’s oldest pub, with some parts dating back to 1640. During the winter months a real fire keeps the inside toasty warm.
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