Astley Hall’s art collection mostly came as part of the original bequest from Reginald Tatton when, in 1922, he left the Hall and its contents to the Borough of Chorley. Central to the Collection are portraits dating from the 1500s to the early 1900s featuring members of the Charnock, Townley Parker and Tatton families, all previous occupants of the Hall. The majority of these are on permanent display in the period rooms and artists include James Lonsdale and Joseph Wright of Derby. In addition, there are over 100 pictures encompassing subjects such as North West landscapes, equestrian and wildlife themes plus portraits of local dignitaries. Represented artists include Richard Ansdell, William Powell Frith and William Clarkson Stanfield. Among its works on paper, the Hall has an interesting collection of 13 pictures from World War Two given by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee with paintings by Graham Sutherland and Paul Nash. There are also 40 etchings by J. M. W. Turner.