2026 Preston Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

As April unfolds, Preston transforms into a picturesque paradise, with cherry blossoms 🏵 lining Blackpool Road and London Road. The vibrant pink and white flowers create a dreamy atmosphere, perfect for a springtime stroll or snapping photos 📸. Blackpool Road Cherry Blossoms Take a walk down Blackpool Road, where cherry trees create a beautiful canopy of blooms 🌸. This iconic spot is a photographer's dream, so don’t forget your camera! Capture the beauty of nature while enjoying the refreshing spring air 🌤. London Road Blossoms The cherry blossoms along London Road are equally stunning 🌼. These trees form a breathtaking backdrop for your photos, whether you’re walking, cycling, or just enjoying the view. 📸 🏞 Top Photo Spots & Walks Avenham & Miller Parks 🌳: These neighboring parks are filled with colorful flowers, including daffodils 🌼 and tulips 🌷. Take a leisurely walk along the paths or sit on a bench to admire the scenery. The perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon! 🌳✨ Guild Wheel 🚴: This scenic 21-mile trail loops around Preston, offering panoramic views of the countryside 🌾. Whether you’re walking or cycling, it’s a great way to experience the city’s natural beauty. ⛵ Things to Do in Preston Canal Boat Ride 🚤: Discover Preston from the water with a canal boat ride along the Lancaster Canal 🌊. Relax as you glide past the blossoming trees and tranquil waters. Perfect for a romantic getaway or family outing. 🛥 Visit Moor Park 🌳: Moor Park is a beautiful place to enjoy picnics 🍉, sports 🏐, and outdoor events. Spend your day in the heart of Preston’s greenery! 🌞 Explore Preston Markets 🏙: Don’t miss the vibrant local markets where you can shop for fresh produce 🍓, unique gifts 🎁, and delicious street food 🍴. 🎉 Local Events & Festivals Join the Cherry Blossom Tree Picnic 🌸 in the Friends of Preston Park, celebrating the beauty of blooming cherry trees. It’s a fun way to connect with the community while surrounded by stunning blossoms! 🍃 ✨ Tips for Your Visit Best Time to Visit: Late April is the peak bloom time 🌸. Photography: Early mornings offer soft, golden light for perfect photos. 🌅 Getting Around: Public transport is great, but renting a bike 🚲 or walking along the Guild Wheel is a fantastic way to explore! This April, Preston’s cherry blossoms 🌸 and scenic walks await you. Don’t miss out on this springtime adventure! 🏞📸 #aprilblooms

Holiday Inn Preston: An ideal place to rest in the city center 👍Recommended reasons: As a high-quality hotel under IHG, Holiday Inn Preston is an ideal choice for exploring Preston with its excellent location, complete facilities and services, and comfortable accommodation experience. Whether you are on a business trip or a leisure vacation, this hotel can meet all your needs. 🏘Room type/layout: The hotel has 133 well-designed rooms, each equipped with a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and satellite channels, allowing you to enjoy a high-quality entertainment experience while traveling. At the same time, the room is also equipped with a private bathroom with a shower/bathtub combination, free toiletries, and a hairdryer to ensure your stay is comfortable and convenient. 🧹Soundproofing/hygiene: Holiday Inn Preston pays attention to the accommodation quality of every guest. The rooms are well soundproofed, allowing you to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a quiet night. At the same time, the hotel strictly implements high-standard cleaning procedures to ensure the hygiene of the rooms and public areas, allowing you to stay with peace of mind. 🏕Nearby attractions: The hotel is located in the center of Preston, just a 3-minute walk from Preston Bus Station and a 6-minute walk from the Harris Museum and Art Gallery. In addition, the hotel is only 0.8 km from the Lancashire Museum and 1.4 km from Avenham Park. Whether you are a history and culture lover or a nature lover, this hotel can satisfy your desire to explore. 💗Other tips: Dining experience: The Open Lobby Bar at the hotel offers delicious British cuisine, making it an excellent place to taste local delicacies. At the same time, the bar/lounge is also an ideal choice for you to have a drink and relax. If you like to stay in your room, you can also enjoy 24-hour room service to satisfy your taste buds. Business and events: The hotel has a business center, express check-out, and 24-hour front desk service, providing convenience for your business trip. At the same time, the hotel also has 84 square meters of space, including a conference venue and 7 meeting rooms, suitable for holding events of various sizes. Parking facilities: Although the parking facilities provided by the hotel are limited, the convenient location in the city center makes it easy for you to find nearby parking places. Buffet breakfast: The hotel's buffet breakfast is rich and varied, and the supply time is flexible (6:30 to 10:00 from Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 11:00 on weekends), allowing you to enjoy a delicious breakfast while traveling. In short, Holiday Inn Preston is an ideal place to rest in the city center with its excellent location, complete facilities and services, and comfortable accommodation experience. Whether you are on a business trip or a leisure vacation, this hotel can make you feel the warmth and convenience of home. Book your stay now!

The Ribble valley is becoming well know for its country pubs serving a fantastic array of food. Places like the Parker’s Arms and The Freemasons are often in top 10 list of the country’s gastropubs. This often means getting a table is often a bit of a challenge especially if your visit to the area is a last minute decision. On the edge of the town of Longridge lies an alternative, The Derby Arms. Here you can cosy up by the warm fire in a traditional setting whilst eating from its wide ranging and quality menu. #voyagevibes #Countrypub

Longridge is a small town just north of Preston but its surrounding area is where its scale changes. The market town lies on the edge of one of Britain’s most remote areas of outstanding natural beauty. The villages of Chipping, Whitewell and Newton in Bowland with their high class country pubs are only a short drive away and with fantastic walks such as Longridge and Beacon fells as well as the Tolkien trail in the area, make Longridge you next staycation spot or day trip. #Lancashire #Forest

👍️Recommended for: Preston, the shining pearl of Lancashire, UK, boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage and modern city charm, making it a must-visit destination in northern England. 📅Travel tips: Parks and natural scenery: Preston is home to many picturesque parks, such as Avenham & Miller Parks, which blend Victorian architecture with natural beauty, making it a great place for a walk or picnic. Moor Park is an ideal place for outdoor activities, including football and basketball. History and culture: The Harris Museum and Art Gallery showcases Preston's rich history and culture, making it a great place to explore local history. Local activities: Preston often hosts various festivals and events, such as the Caribbean Carnival, which offers a rich and colorful experience for visitors. Convenient transportation: As a transportation hub in the northwest of England, Preston is very convenient to get to. It is less than an hour by train from Manchester. 🏨Accommodation tips: Holiday Inn Preston: Conveniently located near the city center and the M6 motorway. Offers 24-hour room service, meeting rooms, and comfortable accommodation. Suitable for business trips and leisure travel. Holiday Inn Express Preston - South: Close to several local attractions, convenient for sightseeing. Offers multilingual services, a restaurant, and 24-hour front desk service. Pets are allowed, suitable for travelers with pets. No.10 Preston Aparthotel: Located in the city center, within walking distance to shopping centers. Offers luxury beds, flat-screen TVs, and kitchen facilities. Suitable for travelers seeking comfort. 💗Other tips: Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected stay in the UK. Check that there are enough blank visa pages in your passport. Visa: Apply for the appropriate UK visa according to your travel purpose (such as tourism, business, etc.). When applying for a visa, you need to provide relevant materials such as your passport, photo, travel plan, and financial proof. Pay attention to the validity and stay period of the visa to ensure that the visa covers the entire itinerary. In addition, it is recommended to carry your ID card, flight ticket, hotel booking information, and other supporting materials with you in case of need. At the same time, pay attention to changes in UK entry policies to ensure smooth entry.

The county town of Lancashire, many northbound trains have to transfer here. A typical northwestern industrial city, of course, has long been de-industrialized. Almost two streets are so big. The city's bus station is a classic of brutalist architecture. Of course, if you are not interested in architecture, you will only feel ugly. The park and trail by the canal are beautiful, and it's okay to take a walk when the weather is good. If you transfer here and have plenty of time, you can stroll around.

The train departing from London Euston slowly slid into the platform. The 2-hour journey no longer sees the once familiar Virgin trains. 'Welcome to Lancashire,' reads the sign above the exit dome, and most of the taxis queuing outside have been replaced by trams. The weather is a rare sunny day in the UK, starkly different from the first time I stepped into this city. Preston is located north of Manchester, 40 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly Station, and 50 minutes from Manchester Airport. It takes 20 minutes from Preston to the traditional British seaside resort of Blackpool. I spent my youth studying abroad in Preston, once setting off from here to various places and meeting different people. I hope I can come back often in the future.

This is the most beautiful and open place in Preston You can do all kind of activities like dry picnic, playing with friends, photography, as well as a beautiful green sceneries The river along with the park make it more adorable Also it is free to go and visit the park.

📅 Itinerary Travelled from Derby to Preston during Storm Goretti 2026 Day 1 Derby to crewe train was delayed, but after a 2 hour wait, we managed to grab a train from Tamworth to Crewe. We waited in Crewe for over 4 hours for a train to Preston, and then we finally boarded a train to Blackpool North, which passed through Preston. we had actually gone over the book in time, which was 10.00 pm and we weren't able to get in contact with the hotel manager. We finally reached Preston just after midnight and were able to grab a taxi, which was conveniently located outside the train station. we reached the hotel, and the hotel manager allowed us to still book in. In fact, he actually waited up for us. He was indeed a very lovely man as it went against policies, and we were so glad that he didn't turn us away. The room was lovely and clean, and there were even takeaways close by. we managed to grab a Pizza 🍕 meal from Pizza King he told us the food would be around 40 mins, but they actually came within 20 mins, and the Pizza was amazing. Day 2:We checked out and spent the morning in Preston for personal business, and we, of course, found a weatherspoons, which again was 10/10, and the staff were very attentive. we then travelled back home. 🏨 Accommodation #Trivelles park hotel Preston 🍴 Food Recommendation#Pizza King 11 Church Street #The Grey Frair Weatherspoon 📌 Tips

📅 Itinerary Day1：uclan Day2: museam Day3: city centre 🏨 Accommodation 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips

#uktrip Calder Vale is an English village, located on the edge of the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. It lies on the River Calder in a deep valley with only a single cul-de-sac providing vehicular access. The name Calder is thought to be derived from the Old Norse "kaldr", which means "cold". The village was founded by Quakers Jonathan and Richard Jackson, and in 1835 a cotton-weaving mill — the Lappet Mill — was built, powered by the River Calder. The mill and mill pond still exist and Lappet Mill is still working as a cotton mill. One of its main products is the red, black and white checked cloth used for Arab headscarves and it was said that Yasser Arafat's headdresses were made at the Mill. The Jackson brothers also built many of the terraced houses still in occupation close to the mills. The church of St John the Evangelist lies high above the village, linked to it by a half-mile woodland footpath (compared with a three-mile journey by road). It was consecrated on 12 August 1863. It serves the adjacent village of Oakenclough, in addition to Calder Vale. There is also a Methodist chapel in the village centre.

Highly recommend this exhibition before it ends

great day out in Preston

The hotel's winter Christmas atmosphere was romantic, and the room was comfortable.

Located near Terminal 3, the hotel offers a pick-up service. It offers excellent facilities at an affordable price.

Went on a cool walk

You step into the carriage, and the first thing you notice is the soft, rhythmic hum under your feet—the engine already alive and impatient. As the train begins to roll, there’s that gentle, almost shy lurch forward, like it’s gathering its thoughts before accelerating. Soon, the world outside the window starts to drift, then glide, then rush past. Trees become green streaks, small houses flick across your vision like pages of a flipbook. Inside, the air is filled with a comforting mix of quiet chatter, the clinking of someone stirring tea in a paper cup, and the steady clatter-clack of wheels meeting rails—a mechanical heartbeat. Somewhere down the aisle, a vendor appears with the unmistakable scent of hot chai drifting after him. There’s a warmth in that simple moment: passengers waking up, stretching, exchanging stories or simply staring out of the windows lost in their own. The train slows occasionally, sliding through stations washed in yellow platform lights. People get off, people get on—tiny worlds intersecting for just a second.i deel go

Nice really

📅 Itinerary Day1：harris museum Day2: blackpool pleasure beach Day3: blackpool zoo 🏨 Accommodation Broughton Marriott Hotel 🍴 Food Recommendations Spud bros 📌 Tips don’t go to preston

I just came here to attend my class and the view in my university was so good to miss.

Rise if officially my favourite brunch spot in Preston! Preston has a lot of decent cafes but Rise is definitely that one that makes me want to return repeatedly!! First off the interiors of this place is just cosy and dreamy they play on a lot of pastel tones. Then off to the menu, which is EXTENSIVE! covering breakfast rolls to smoothie bowls all the way to big brunch plates, sandwiches and sweets! Their french toast is simply top notch and some of my all time favourites, the toast is always super soft on the inside. Although the flavours and toppings change seasonally, never had they disappointed! This brand is amazing, it started off 6 years ago in Preston, and now they have expanded into York and Liverpool and another outlet in Preston. 📍 Rise Brunch #foodlocity #foodlocityinuk #brunch #coffee #toast #preston #england #lancashire

Bought a new car

Made some food

#hellohalloween Step into a working manor house where kings have dined and the history is almost tangible. This is your chance to play lord or lady of the manor for a day, exploring grand state rooms and sweeping Lancashire vistas on your own terms. Your Perfect Solo Itinerary: Morning: A Grand Entrance Arrive for the first tour of the day (check opening times as it's a guided experience). Having pre-booked your ticket ensures a smooth start. As you walk up the long drive, the Tower reveals itself dramatically. Your guided tour is the perfect way to absorb the rich history—from the visit of King James I (who knighted the loin of beef here, creating "Sir Loin") to the Civil War sieges. Ask questions; this is your private audience with the past. Afternoon: Gardens & Grounds After the tour, the day is yours to own. Explore the beautiful formal gardens and the historic wellhouse at your leisure. Find a quiet bench in the grounds with a view over the Ribble Valley—the perfect spot for a solitary picnic or simply to soak in the atmosphere and imagine the centuries of history that have unfolded here. Solo Traveler Tips: · Book Ahead: Essential for the guided tour. A weekday visit offers a more intimate experience. · Pack a Picnic: The grounds are ideal for it. There's also an on-site tearoom for a warm drink and a treat. · Embrace the Quirks: This is a lived-in family home, not a sterile museum. The eccentricities and stories are what make it special. · Look Down: In the Banqueting Hall, find the spot where the King knighted the beef—a uniquely Hoghton story. Walk in the footsteps of royalty and create your own story for a day. #SoloHistorySeeker #HoghtonTower

📅 Itinerary Sept 21: Welcome Sunday @ Uni Sept 22: Hello Week & Meeting the Course Instructors Sept 24: Introductory Classes 🏫 University of Lancashire 🍴I recommend eating at Witherspoon's. They have good food and cheap drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic). And also try the foodcart that's trending on tiktok- 'Spud Bros', they are just infront of the museum. #travel #backtoschool #preston #myitinerary 📌

#hellohalloween

Spooky