A vibrant, friendly and multi-cultural city in the heart of the North West of England, Preston is the pearl of Lancashire.
Home to both thriving SMEs and large employers such as BAE, Royal Preston Hospital and The University of Central Lancashire, Preston is extremely well-connected. It can be reached from London and Glasgow in just over two hours via express train, Liverpool in an hour and Manchester in 40 minutes. The M6 motorway – with direct links to Manchester and Birmingham – and M55 Preston Bypass are also on its doorstep. To get around the city, its striking Grade II-listed bus station is a good starting point.
From Roman origins to recent investment in its public services and infrastructure, Preston is an attractive hub of places to go and things to see. Local sites of interest include a bustling dock and marina, a vintage market, historic North End football club, two large shopping centres, numerous pubs, clubs, comedy and music venues, several cinemas, and the Playhouse, the Guildhall and The Continental which host world-class gigs.
For a quieter afternoon, head to one of its many libraries, The Museum of Lancashire, the Infantry Museum or the Harris Museum & Art Gallery which houses fascinating collections ranging from portraits, graphic design and fashion to archaeology.
If you’re a nature-lover, there’s the famously beautiful Forest of Bowland to the north east, while to the south you’ll find the award-winning Avenham and Miller Parks beside the River Ribble. The Guild Wheel – a 21 mile ‘greenway’ of walking and cycling paths – runs through some of Preston’s most scenic spots. To top it off, Ribble Steam Railway offers rides on lovingly-restored trains and a hands-on museum… a perfect activity for any age group.
18th century churchman and historian Edmund Calamy described it as “A pretty town, commonly called Proud Preston.” It seems that modern inhabitants still have every reason to be proud.