Leafy Longton

The thriving villages of Longton and New Longton are great places to shop, visit, and live

When it comes to Christmas presents, many of us are looking for something different to buy. One place which has an array of independent shops is Longton. With its promise of rural charm and a strong sense of community, you get a nice vibe as you drive through the centre as the shops are lit up with Christmas lights, decorations and gifts galore, all inviting you in to take a look.

Less than five miles from Preston sit Longton and New Longton, a duo of South Ribble villages which fulfil this wish list. Both meet the prerequisites of an English village, particularly as they retain popular pubs and churches and that increasingly rare phenomenon, a Post Office.

Another virtue is that key services such as the doctors and primary schools are within walking distance of most residential roads.

Aside from pubs, Longton offers great places to eat to treat your family over the festive period. From the stylish Romano’s restaurant to a selection of Indian and Chinese takeaways and New Longton boasts the popular Sticky Weeds coffee shop which also hosts Christmas craft classes.

There’s a lively shopping scene. Groceries and more are served by a smart branch of Booths supermarket on Liverpool Road, while fashionistas have a choice of glitzy, casual and cruisewear from stores along the A59. The lucky people of Longton and New Longton are pampered by a range of barbers, hairdressers and glitzy beauty salons around both villages to ensure you get that pamper for your special Christmas party event.

So those are the essentials, what about a sense of community which is so essential to modern wellbeing? Again, these two villages deliver. Residents participate in events at the area’s six churches, while family-friendly happenings at the library welcome all age groups (anyone for Lego Club?)

Longton folk also know how to let their hair down. In July local businesses open their doors to host the “Longton Live” musical jamboree. Throughout the year New Longton Village Hall and many of the local pubs feature music nights, and Longton VM Sports and Social Club hosts Longton Community Cinema.

Visitors can enjoy a great day out in the area. Longton Brickcroft is a wetland nature reserve well served by footpaths and visitor facilities. To help explore further, South Ribble Council has produced walking guides including the Longton Coastal walk. Visit the Council website www.southribble.gov.uk/content/walking-route-cards for details.

You’ll never walk alone in Longton, not if you don’t want to. Local pub The Golden Ball hosts monthly Dog Walking Mornings, with bacon butties to fortify for the miles ahead, and the shorter Mini Walks, (for small or elderly pooches). You don’t even need a dog to join in.

Take a trip to Longton this Christmas.

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Tedd Walmsley

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