Croston is one of Lancashire's more attractive villages, sitting along the River Yarrow in West Lancashire between Chorley and Southport. It's known for its 17th-century cottages, a stone packhorse bridge, and a handful of good pubs, but there's more to a day out here than the village itself. If you're planning things to do in Croston with a family in tow, it helps to start with an indoor option that works whatever the weather is doing, so let's begin with Jungle World Park before working through the rest of the list.

Start With Jungle World Park

Jungle World Park sits in nearby Leyland, around a 15-minute drive from Croston, and it's a reliable choice for families with young children. It's an indoor soft play and party centre with slides, a laser tag arena, football pitches, and a Safari Go-Karting track, plus a second site in Blackpool for anyone heading further up the coast.

The centre splits its play areas by age, so toddlers have their own enclosed zone away from older kids on the taller equipment. There's also a Tiki Café on site for food and drinks, and an ASD-friendly session every Monday evening with the lighting and music adjusted for children who find busy spaces difficult. Given how quickly the weather can turn in this part of Lancashire, it's a sensible option to keep in your back pocket. Now, on to the rest of Croston and the surrounding area.

Why Croston Is Worth Visiting

Croston's name comes from the Old English for "Town of the Cross," and it's one of the few places in England with a village centre that still looks much as it did centuries ago. Church Street holds one of the best-preserved rows of 17th-century cottages in Lancashire, and the village sits close enough to Chorley, Leyland, Preston, and the West Pennine Moors that you can easily build a full day around it. Below are 20 things to do in Croston and nearby, covering the village itself, walking routes, and family attractions within a short drive.

Exploring Croston Village

1. Jungle World Park, Leyland

Covered above, this is the go-to option if you need an indoor activity for younger children, particularly if rain is forecast.

2. Church Street

Church Street is the heart of the old village, lined with 17th-century stone cottages that have survived largely intact. It's a short, easy walk and a good spot for photographs of the village at its most traditional.

3. Croston Stone Cross and Village Green

The stone cross on the village green marks the spot referenced in Croston's name, commemorating a 7th-century wayside cross once used by Celtic missionaries. The current cross dates from 1950 and sits at the centre of the village, close to the shops and pubs.

4. The Packhorse Bridge

A cobbled packhorse bridge crosses the River Yarrow close to the village centre, dating back to the 15th century. It's a compact but genuine piece of medieval infrastructure and a nice stop on any walk through Croston.

5. St Michael and All Angels Church

This parish church has roots dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, making it one of the older religious sites in the area. It sits just off Church Street and is worth a short look even if you're not planning a full visit inside.

6. Drinkhouses Lane

Drinkhouses Lane features three-storey handloom weavers' cottages, mostly built in the 18th century, which point to Croston's history as a weaving village before mechanised mills took over textile production. It's a quieter corner of the village and a reminder of what Croston looked like before it became mainly residential.

7. Croston Old School

Croston Old School is a Grade II listed building originally constructed in 1660, with substantial rebuilding carried out in 1827. It now serves as a community building, hosting clubs, private events, and local gatherings throughout the year.

8. Eyes Lane Metal Bridge

This bridge and viewpoint gives you a spot to pause and look out over the canal, and it's a popular stop for anyone walking or cycling the wider Croston area.

Walks and Green Spaces Near Croston

9. Yarrow Valley Country Park

Yarrow Valley Country Park follows the River Yarrow through Chorley and includes lakes, small waterfalls, and a mix of walking routes suited to families and dog walkers. It's one of the closer country parks to Croston and works well for a morning or afternoon walk.

10. Cuerden Valley Country Park

Cuerden Valley Country Park covers around 650 acres of woodland, farmland, and meadows, with a small lake and the River Lostock running through it. There's a farm shop and café near the entrance, and several waymarked trails for walking, running, or cycling.

11. Croston Station Walks

Croston railway station sits at one end of the village and makes a good starting point for gentle walks along quiet lanes across the former marshland, much of it within sight or earshot of the railway line. It's an easy way to see the countryside around Croston without much planning.

12. Leeds and Liverpool Canal Towpath

Stretches of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal run within reach of Croston, offering flat, straightforward towpath walking with narrowboats and the occasional canalside pub along the route. It suits anyone after a relaxed walk rather than a hike.

13. Worden Park, Leyland

Worden Park is a Grade II listed park covering roughly 62 hectares, with a model railway, hedge maze, arts and crafts centre, and a large adventure playground. Entry is free, and it's a solid family stop if you're already heading towards Leyland for Jungle World Park.

Family Attractions and Days Out

14. Rufford Old Hall

Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust property, sits around three miles from Croston and features a Tudor great hall along with gardens and woodland grounds. It's a good half-day option if you enjoy historic houses.

15. Heskin Hall

Heskin Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor manor house with gardens, grounds, and an antiques centre inside the buildings, located a few miles from Croston. It suits a slower-paced visit focused on browsing and period architecture.

16. The Crafty Potter, Heskin Hall Shopping Village

Set within the Heskin Hall estate, The Crafty Potter offers pottery painting sessions for all ages, making it a good option for a quieter, creative outing, particularly if you're combining it with a visit to Heskin Hall itself.

17. Cedar Farm Galleries, Mawdesley

Cedar Farm Galleries is a small collection of independent shops and studios in Mawdesley, including Choc Amor, a chocolate specialist. It's a compact stop, good for browsing and picking up something for later.

18. Lancashire Titanic Museum, Eccleston

Located within Bygone Times in Eccleston, this museum focuses on the Titanic and its connections to Lancashire. It's a niche attraction, but a genuinely interesting one if you have any interest in maritime history.

19. Charity Farm, Wrightington

Charity Farm in Wrightington is a working farm attraction with animals, play areas, and seasonal events aimed at younger children. It's a reasonable drive from Croston but a good option during school holidays.

20. Battlefield LIVE Pennine, Charnock Richard

For older children and teenagers, Battlefield LIVE Pennine at Park Hall Hotel in Charnock Richard runs laser combat games set across woodland terrain. It's a more active option if you're looking for something beyond the usual walks and museums.

Quick-Reference: Best Things to Do in Croston by Category

• Rainy day with young kids: Jungle World Park, Leyland
• Village history walk: Church Street, the packhorse bridge, and Croston Old School
• Countryside walk: Yarrow Valley Country Park or Cuerden Valley Country Park
• Historic house visit: Rufford Old Hall or Heskin Hall
• Creative or foodie stop: The Crafty Potter or Cedar Farm Galleries
• Active day out for older kids: Battlefield LIVE Pennine

Planning Your Visit

A few practical points make a trip around Croston easier to organise:

1. Check opening times ahead of your visit. Smaller attractions like The Crafty Potter and Cedar Farm Galleries often have reduced hours outside peak season.
2. Book play sessions in advance where possible. Venues such as Jungle World Park limit numbers per session, especially at weekends and during school holidays.
3. Combine village walking with a longer trail. Croston itself takes an hour or two to see properly, so pairing it with Yarrow Valley or Cuerden Valley Country Park gives you a fuller day.
4. Pack for changeable weather. As with most of Lancashire, conditions can shift quickly, so bring a spare layer even on a bright morning.
5. Eat local where you can. Croston has several pubs and cafes, including The Wheatsheaf on Town Road, which sources food from local producers and welcomes families and dogs in its bar area.

Final Thoughts

Croston works well as a day-trip base because it combines a genuinely well-preserved village centre with easy access to country parks, historic houses, and family attractions nearby. Start with Jungle World Park if you need somewhere reliable for younger children, then use the rest of this list to build a day around Croston's history, the surrounding walking routes, or a mix of both. Whichever way you plan it, there's enough here to fill a full day of things to do in Croston without a long drive between stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do in Croston with young children? 

Jungle World Park in nearby Leyland is a strong choice for younger children, with indoor soft play, laser tag, and go-karting. It's around a 15-minute drive from Croston and has separate zones for toddlers and older kids.

What makes Croston village worth visiting? 

Croston has one of Lancashire's best-preserved 17th-century streets, a medieval packhorse bridge, and a parish church dating back to the time of William the Conqueror. It's a compact village, so you can see the main sights on foot in an hour or two.

Is there a good walk near Croston? 

Yes. Croston Station makes a good starting point for lane walks across the old marshland, and Yarrow Valley Country Park and Cuerden Valley Country Park are both a short drive away with longer, well-marked trails.

Are there any historic houses near Croston? 

Rufford Old Hall, around three miles away, has a Tudor great hall and National Trust grounds. Heskin Hall, a few miles further, is a Grade I listed Tudor manor with gardens and an antiques centre.

Is Jungle World Park in Leyland suitable for a toddler? 

Yes. Jungle World Park has a separate, enclosed play area for younger children, away from the taller slides used by older kids. It's worth booking ahead, particularly for weekend visits.

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