Lancashire is home to a variety of idyllic villages and towns that are steeped in history, offer delicious food spots, boast the most scenic views and more.
Parbold was named among The Sunday Times’ best places to live guide this week and it was praised for having “a hefty dose of community spirit” and plenty to do.
But what is it about Parbold that makes it so special? Let’s take a look.
Inside Parbold, the Lancashire village among best places to live in the UK
“Parbold is a small township in West Lancashire, situated 4 miles from Junction 27 of the M6. It can also be accessed via the regular rail service which runs between Wigan and Southport. The name Parbold is drawn from Old English and means the “Pear Orchard”.
“Its’ name still reflects its’ quiet and rural atmosphere. Nestled in the countryside of West Lancashire, the area around Parbold is full of beautiful views, quaint villages, and plenty of great places to visit and eat out.
“The village of Parbold is in the valley of the River Douglas and with the Leeds Liverpool canal passing close to the town centre”, explains the village’s community website.
The Sunday Times described Parbold as somewhere that has “no shortage of things to get involved with”. You can see the full list of the best places to live via the newspaper’s website.
If you’re a keen walker and like to enjoy views across Lancashire, Parbold could be a good spot for you to explore.
@hairandbeautybyjayden Parbold Village and Canal Walk! #hairandbeautybyjayden #parbold #canalwalk #horse #nature #fyp #lancashire #august2022 ♬ original sound – Jayden Harrison
The community website added: “Dominating the area is Parbold Hill where a little below its summit is a monument that was originally erected to commemorate the Reform Bill of 1832 and it is unusual as it is somewhat bottle shaped, known locally as Parbold Bottle.
“From here though the views are splendid and the more energetic can take advantage of the myriad of pathways and walks that are well signed to appreciate the incredible scenery.
“Parbold has plenty to offer both the resident and visitor, the canal is popular with anglers and ramblers whilst the village boasts a number of good pubs and local shops. With two churches, primary schools and other facilities it is easy to appreciate why Parbold is such a popular location.”
Parbold also has some lovely pubs, ideal for refreshments and a break while you’re in the village.
The Windmill, which describes itself as a “true country pub”, has plenty of meals on offer including options for breakfast, brunch and lunch, plus not forgetting its a la carte menu.
If you’ve got little ones with you, they can enjoy the children’s menu so you can make your outing a family affair.
The pub has a bit of history behind it too. Its website explains: “Our story dates back to 1794 when The Windmill was built to serve both the growing traffic along the newly opened sections of the Leeds to Liverpool canal and farmers delivering grain to the neighbouring Windmill.”
Impressing customers on Google Reviews, the pub has a 4.4-star rating with one person sharing their experience: “I stopped by after walking the canal, a great location. Lots to choose from in the menu with an added bonus of a beer garden. We ordered fish and chips, gammon and 2 cokes, which all came to £40.
“Good service and the food was just as tasty!”
Another popular pub in the village is The Wayfarer which offers food throughout the week and “has an outstanding reputation for tasty dishes, locally brewed beers and a welcoming, relaxed ambience”, according to its website.
The Wayfarer has impressed customers on Google Reviews where it has earned a 4.3-star rating.
Recommended reading:
One person commented: “Excellent meal and presentation and realistic prices the menu changes weekly so the chefs can be creative as they grow alot of there own veg and have there own mini brewery that I never tried but will do next time a must to visit we will be returning 
”.
Parbold is home to a handful of primary schools and offers plenty of transport options including bus routes, a train station and you can get from Parbold to Manchester, Blackpool and Liverpool airports within an hour by car.
The community’s website shares some points of interest for visitors, including Chapel House next to Old Douglas Chapel’s site, Parbold Pottery’s site and Parbold Bottle, “a monument to the Great Reform Act of 1832, which extended the right to vote.”
