Preston
Preston is situated in the heart of Lancashire and is the county’s administrative centre. It has a population of around 130,000 and in 2002 was granted city status.
The city is home to the University of Central Lancashire, one of the largest in the country. With a student population of over 30,000, the city has a buzzing nightlife.
The Tourist Information Centre is a great place to get leaflets and information about local attractions and impartial travel and tourism advice.
Latest News
Apr 16, Vote for your favourite North West picnic spot
North West picnic lovers can vote for their favourite picnic spot in a competition being organised by Bolton-based bakers Warburtons. Ten sites in the region have been nominated:
Stanley Park – Blackpool
Lyme Park – Disley, Cheshire
Heaton Park – Manchester
Formby Beach – Merseyside
Beeston Castle – Tarporley, Cheshire
Barley Picnic Site – Pendle Hill, Ribble Valley
Jumbles Reservoir – Bradshaw Valley, Bolton
Beacon Fell – Goosnargh, near Preston
Fell Foot Park – Windermere, Lake District
Crook o’ Lune – Lune Valley, Lancaster
Votes can be registered at www.welovebread.co.uk until May 16 2008. All voters are entered into a draw to win a picnic in Central Park, New York.
The winner will be announced at the start of June and will go compete against the other regional winners for the title of ‘Warburtons Best Picnic Spot 2008’.
Mar 19, Restaurant hygiene ratings online
Diners in Preston can now check out the hygiene ratings of the city’s restaurants on a new website set up by Preston Council. The Preston FoodSafe site shows the ratings given by environmental health officers and currently lists 790 premises.
Mar 13, Preston musuem wins award
Preston’s Museum of Lancashire has been designated a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction by Visit Britain, the official British Tourist Authority. Charlotte Steels, Assistant Keeper said, ‘We are all delighted by this award. The staff work hard to make the museum a welcoming place for visitors and it's fantastic that we have been given this acknowledgement.’
Feb 29, Regeneration boss to lead bid for tramline extension
The chairman of Blackpool’s regeneration company is leaving his post to lead a bid for European funds to build an extension of Blackpool’s tram system to Preston. Professor Sir Peter Hall of ReBlackpool said, ‘After nearly four years in the chair at ReBlackpool, helping to develop the casino bid and then the post-casino regeneration strategy to rebuild the town’s economy, published in our Blackpool Task Force report to government last summer, I think it is time to move on. As ReBlackpool shifts from strategic thinking to delivery my successor will lead on this delivery. Meanwhile, provided our bid is successful, and I am confident that, fully supported by NWDA and other partners, it is more than good enough – I will focus on delivering the next stage of development of the Blackpool Tramway as part of the regeneration of the town.’
The proposed system will utilise a new type of tram developed in Germany that uses a hybrid power system capable of switching from electric to diesel power to run on non-electrified tracks.
Feb 1, National Dragon Boat Championships
Preston will host the national Dragon Boat Championships at the city’s Riversway Festival this summer. Dragon Boat Racing originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. Each boat measures around 40 feet and carries a team of 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 helmsman. The Riversway Festival will be held at Preston Docklands from July 4 to 6 2008.
