Preston Sights and Landmarks Guide, United Kingdom

Preston: The City By The Ribble

Located on the River Ribble in England is the city of Preston. In 2002, it was granted the status of a city and is now England’s 50th city. Preston is fast developing into an outstanding UK city, with all the right elements that make for a superb tourist destination. Acclaimed museums, vibrant parks, unique restaurants, and shopping centers all contribute to make Preston a fun and exciting place to visit.

Landmarks

Preston’s most distinguishing landmark is St. Walburge’s Church on Western Street, northwest of the city center. It boasts of having the tallest spire in England, making it the tallest church that is not a cathedral. The church has the heaviest swinging bell in all of England. At certain times, visitors are allowed to go up to the bell tower and enjoy one of the finest views of the city.

Tourists can visit Preston’s beautiful Town Hall and admire its architecture. Another landmark is the Cenotaph, a war memorial built in 1926 that can be found in Preston’s City Center.

Museums

Preston is home to a number of interesting and informative museums. One of these is the Museum of Lancashire, which was a former courthouse in Preston. Those seeking to learn more about the history of Preston can visit this museum and enjoy its exhibits that depict life in Preston during World War II. There is also a Victorian classroom for a more interactive approach to the exhibit. The Harris Museum has the largest exhibit space in the city. Here, visitors can enjoy the archeological collections that tell the story of the city. There are also the fine art and fragrance bottle collections, the largest in the country. This monumental landmark is also home to the Free Public Library.

The English love for football is epitomized in Preston’s National Football Museum.  It stands outside Deepdale Arena, the oldest and most continually used football ground in the world. Fans of the sport can indulge in various collections, such as the FIFA collection, The Football Association Collection, and the Wembley Stadium Collection.

Parks

Several parks dot Preston’s city center in and out. Winckley Park can be found near the city center. In 1801, this park was a residential area exclusively for men. Miller Park and Avenham Park are the two Victorian era parks that can be found in the city. Another park to be enjoyed is Moore Park, the first public park in the UK and Preston’s largest and oldest park.

Other Attractions

 No trip can ever be complete without shopping, and at Preston, there are plenty of places to indulge the shopping fetish. There is the Miller Arcade for specialty shopping and the Outdoor Market for fresh goods and other interesting finds.

Preston hosts a wide variety of events all year round. At the city’s docks, tourists will find the Riversway Docklands and Marina. It is the largest single-dock basin in Europe and is a waterside center for leisure, entertainment, and shopping. The annual Riversway Festival is held here, where people can enjoy the dragon boat races, jet ski displays, an international food area, and a fireworks display. Another event is the Caribbean Festival held in May every year.