Curiosity, Culture & Collectables: Why Bygone Times Is Your Ultimate Bank Holiday Destination
- 1 week ago
- Antique Shopping, Bank Holiday, Lancashire, Vintage Shopping
Bank Holidays are a long-cherished, rare gift for the UK public, offering a brief pause on the frantic pace of modern life. For busy families, couples and friends, it’s very important that your valuable day off isn’t spent in gridlock at the coast or wandering aimlessly through a shopping centre.
Bygone Times offers something more unique for Lancastrians and tourists – let’s enjoy a bank holiday adventure!
A day out that sparks conversation, curiosity and nostalgia, Bygone Times offers a genuine sense of discovery, with thousands of endless antiques, collectables, retro, relics and vintage to unearth.
Here’s why Bygone Times is your perfect Bank Holiday escape
We’re Waterproof!
Bygone Times is a reliable alternative to the great British weather, that loves to play pranks on a bank holiday, whether that’s a comical torrential downpour whilst standing in a queue or a lamentable gust of wind at the beach.
At Bygone Times, the forecast is irrelevant. With around 85,000 square footage of indoor space to explore, visitors can wander through decades of history and culture, with over 500 stores comprised on independent stallholders and local businesses to discover.
Bygone Times Has Something For Everybody!
How many destinations in Lancashire caters for every age group, niche and interest? From energetic toddlers and moody, lethargic teenagers to trendy adults and lovely grandparents, Bygone Times has something for everybody!
| Niche/Audience | Bygone Times Items |
| Antique Collectors | Antique Furniture, Home Décor, Rare Vinyl |
| Nostalgia | Collectables, Vintage, Retro |
| Toddlers | Quality Kids Toys, Second-Hand Clothing, Pre-Loved Teddies & Games |
| Teenagers | Vintage Games & Contemporary Consoles, Sports, Music |
| Adults/Homeowners | Furniture, Baskets, Lighting, Mirrors, Rugs, DIY, Kitchenware |
| Grandparents | Relics, Wool, Knitting & Sewing |
From DIY supplies to vintage furniture, Bygone Times is the perfect bank holiday destination for those that value quality and functionality.
More Than Just Shopping & Antiques
Although Bygone Times is Lancashire’s leading antique centre, it’s so much more, providing an immersive experience over six floors of a historic mill, like a live museum where everything has a price tag!
When the weather’s cold and choppy, there’s no warmer refuge than The Cotton Café, serving hot beverages, hearty favourites and delicious bakes to power your Bygone Times experience.
For history lovers and war buffs, check out the Bygone Times War Museum and our historic Soviet tank!
Shop and Explore at Your Pace
Bygone Times earnestly believe that bank holidays are about slowing down and enjoying yourself. With no timescales or slots, free and spacious aisles and a social, relaxed environment, Bygone Times is a far-cry from any frantic high street, and gives its visitors the time they need to discover antiques, retro, vintage and collectables.
Find Something Unique
Bygone Times offers something the world of mass production and bog-standard high-street can’t – and that’s something unique that’s crafted with quality for timeless functionality. Whether it’s a piece of mid-century décor to finish your living room or a quirky gift for someone special, you’ll leave Bygone Times with a story and a memory, whether that’s on a bank holiday or not!
Visit Bygone Times in Chorley on your Bank Holiday!
On a bank holiday, don’t just pass the time – travel through it! Discover what treasures are waiting for you at Bygone Times. We’re open on all bank holidays as normal, and we’re ready to help you create some new memories!
Your 2026 Bank Holiday Schedule
| Date | Bygone Times Open/Closed |
| Good Friday (3rd April) | Open |
| Easter (5th April) | Open |
| Easter Monday (6th April) | Open |
| Early May Bank Holiday (4th May 2026) | Open |
| Spring Bank Holiday (25th May 2026) | Open |
| Summer Bank Holiday (31st August 2026) | Open |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
| 26th Day | Closed |
| Boxing Day Bank Holiday | Open |