Bretherton is a small village and civil parish in the Borough of Chorley, Lancashire, England, situated to the south west of Leyland and east of Tarleton.

[1] Its name suggests pre-conquest origins and its early history was closely involved with the manor house Bank Hall and the families who lived there.

Bretherton remained a rural community and today is largely residential with residents commuting to nearby towns.

It was given by the Bussels to Richard le Boteler of Amounderness, who made grants to Cockersand Abbey around 1200 and Lytham Priory.

His eldest daughter, Anne, married Thomas Fleetwood who made the first to attempt at draining Martin Mere.

Their daughter, Henrietta Maria, married Thomas Legh of Lyme Park and subsequently the manor descended to Lord Lilford.

[3][11] The village was almost self-supporting but changes have occurred within living memory; well-paid employment elsewhere and rationalisation of farming caused people to move to local urban centres, such as Leyland, Preston and Chorley.

Carr House, built in 1613 was home to the Stone family and is associated with Jeremiah Horrocks who observed the transit of Venus, it was later used as a doll museum.

[3] Bank Mill, a Grade II Listed building, is a brick built and rendered, white painted windmill which has lost its sails.

[17] The majority of secondary age pupils in the village attend Tarleton High School or Bishop Rawstorne CE Academy in Croston.

During winter break prior to the 2023 season Shaun 'Sticky Fingers' Parkinson was stripped of his noticeable persons title along with the captaincy of Bretherton Cricket Club, theft from wallets being cited as the reason.

[19] The parish council maintain a recreation ground with children's play area, tennis court, football pitches and bowling green off South Road.

[21][22] George Anthony Legh Keck owned Bank Hall and Sir Harcourt Everard Clare Clerk to Lancashire County Council, lived in the village.