Town Pop. 395

Living in Bretherton: Liveability Score 56/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Bretherton scores 56/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Broadband is where Bretherton most outperforms the national norm: 96/100 against a median of 60/100 across UK towns. That makes it the 3rd highest-scoring of the 7 places in the PR26 postcode district.

Its broadband score runs 39 points above the PR26 district's 57/100. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (94) and economic health (94). Healthcare (27) and schools (29) all fall below 30/100. Wider context for the surrounding area: PR26 postcode district.

56
OUT OF 100
Average
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Bretherton scores 56 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Bretherton.
Or compare:
PR26 6AA PR26 7AA PR26 8HA PR26 9AA PR26

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
108.9 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Anti-social behaviour 18 crimes
↑ 200% above national average
Violence and sexual offences 18 crimes
↑ 37% above national average
Other theft 2 crimes
↓ 18% below national average
Vehicle crime 2 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Shoplifting 1 crimes
↓ 68% below national average
other 2 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Highfield Road 10 crimes
  2. 2 Park/Open Space 7 crimes
  3. 3 B5247 3 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
64
Air Quality NO₂ 4.934 · PM2.5 5.621 · PM10 10.238 µg/m³
77
Green Space 35
Parks Adequate 3
Sports Pitches None
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
29
1 school in area · 8 within 4km
1Good
  • Bretherton Endowed Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
27
A&E departmentsSouthport and Formby District General Hospital7.7 mi
Children's A&E8.1 mi
Royal Preston Hospital8.2 mi
Hospital waitsLancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust1.5 mi
Routine referral (median)6 wks
Treated within 18 weeks94.2%
Nearest GP surgeryCroston Village Surgery1.5 mi
GP capacity2,188 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
96
Full fibre (FTTP)86.9%
available across Chorley
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
98.4%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
98.4%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 12 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
94
Employment rate61.8%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed61.8%Unemployed0.8%Retired28.9%Student3.1%Other inactive5.4%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial50.2%Skilled & technical34.5%Routine & elementary15.2%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications12%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.7%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)11.8%Level 3 (A levels)17%Level 4+ (degree & above)43.8%Apprenticeship5.8%Other (incl. vocational)1%
Home ownership84.4%
Among the least-deprived 17% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
51
Council tax Chorley · 2026-27
A £1,620
B £1,890
C £2,160
D £2,430
E £2,970
F £3,510
G £4,050
H £4,860
Energy North West England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water United Utilities
Average bill regional £456/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
32
Croston 1 mi
Rufford 3.1 mi
Leyland 4.7 mi
J28 M6 4.9 mi
J28 M6 5 mi
J1A M65 5.7 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
33
Pubs & Bars None
Restaurants & Cafes Some 1
Supermarkets & Convenience None
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Bretherton in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Nearby places

Croston 50 1.3 mi away ⇄
Wymott 43 1.7 mi away ⇄
Tarleton and Hesketh Bank 49 2.0 mi away ⇄
Little Hoole Moss Houses 53 2.7 mi away ⇄
Longton 53 2.7 mi away ⇄
Midge Hall 50 2.8 mi away ⇄
Ulnes Walton 59 3.1 mi away ⇄
Rufford (West Lancashire) 49 3.2 mi away ⇄
Hundred End 0 3.5 mi away ⇄
Holmeswood 47 3.6 mi away ⇄
Eccleston 52 3.7 mi away ⇄
Mawdesley 46 3.7 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Bretherton a nice place to live?

Bretherton is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Bretherton is 56/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Bretherton?

Bretherton is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 43 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Bretherton?

Among the top-rated schools in Bretherton is Bretherton Endowed Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Bretherton in total.

Bretherton in context

See the best places to live in Lancashire, ranked

Postcode districts in Bretherton

PR26 53 ⇄

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