Parbold is bordered by Hilldale to the north, Wrightington to the east, Dalton to the south and Newburgh to the west.

From 1894 to 1974 Parbold was part of the Wigan Rural District, along with Dalton, Haigh, Shevington, Worthington and Wrightington.

[citation needed] The earliest known reference to Parbold is in the late 12th century, where grants of land were made to nearby Burscough Priory (pronounced Bursk-owe).

[4] During the 18th and 19th centuries, a number of coal mines worked nearby, rather meagre, seams; hard sandstone was also quarried.

Parbold has two churches, two primary schools and a nursery, a library built in 1989,[7] a purpose-built village hall which doubles as a cinema and community centre, a telephone exchange,[8] a doctor's surgery,[9] a sub post office and a number of other shops including a pharmacy, a newsagent, an estate agent, three hairdressers and both Chinese and Indian takeaways plus a greengrocery.

Along with a branch of the Miller and Carter Steakhouse at the top of the hill and the Wayfarer: brew pub and dining rooms providing al a carte and Italian style foods.