Attractions and Places To See around Preston - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Preston include a diverse range of landmarks, natural features, and cultural sites. This historic city in Lancashire, England, is situated along the River Ribble, offering scenic spots and expansive green spaces. The area provides opportunities to explore significant historical sites, diverse wetland and woodland habitats, and various cultural venues.
Best attractions and places to see around Preston
- The most popular attractions is Brockholes Nature Reserve, a lake that offers 250 acres of ancient woodland, lakes, and viewing points for varied wildlife. This reserve provides diverse wetland and woodland habitats, along with opportunities for birdwatching.
- Another must-see spot is Miller Park Fountain, a man-made monument. It is part of Miller Park, which features a listed water fountain and spiralling gardens.
- Visitors also love Guild Wheel Cycle Lane, a cycle way that provides a 21-mile route encircling the city. This route offers scenic views and connects many of Preston's green spaces.
- Preston is known for its natural features, historical sites, and cultural venues. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from nature reserves to preserved railways.
- The attractions around Preston are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 120 upvotes and 9 photos shared.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Brockholes Nature Reserve
Highlight β’ Lake
The reserve is open from 6am - 9pm during summer and until 7pm during winter. You can also bring your bike! Just bear in mind that you are only allowed to cycle on the Guild Wheel Cycle Route through the reserve. You can find more information, here: brockholes.org
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Miller Park Fountain
Highlight β’ Monument
Avenham Park hosts the Japanese Rock Garden, as well as a popular cafe for an ice cream in summer or a warming brew in winter. Miller Park features a listed water fountain, spiralling gardens and a basalt rock from Ireland's Giant's Causeway.
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Ribble Link Staircase Locks and Holding Basin
Highlight β’ River
Tip1
If you see only Tip1, open this highlight using the link:
komoot.com/highlight/3843027
Some suggestions below in Tip2.
The Ribble Link Staircase is visited by several Komoot tours - for example, check out these links:
komoot.com/tour/610244459
komoot.com/tour/1118780163
Take care with children at all points near the holding basin and staircase locks.
The locks join the Lancaster Canal to the start of the river navigation along Savick Brook, which flows three locks below at the bottom of the staircase.
To view the photos alongside these descriptions, use a split-screen.
Photos 1 and 2: the holding basin, taken from a new bridge that carries the Lancaster Canal 'towpath' over a short channel. That channel branches off the canal and widens into the holding basin at the top lock, with moorings for boats waiting to descend the staircase and continue along the brook to the River Ribble.
Photo 3: looking from the basin towards the towpath bridge and the canal, just visible under the bridge.
Photo 4: looking across the holding basin to the top lock.
The Ribble Link Navigation follows the course of Savick Brook west towards the north bank of the Ribble, where the brook passes through the sea lock and into its tidal waters to join the Ribble.
Departure down the staircase to the Ribble is only possible when the tide is right. It's timed so that boats arrive at the junction of Savick Brook with the Ribble near high tide.
Photo 5: two boats descending - the canal boat is reversing down the staircase to avoid a U-turn in Savick Brook.
Photo 6: at the bottom lock the boat is reversing into the Savick Brook winding hole - too narrow for a long boat to turn. It then moves forward and turns slightly left to continue on along the brook.
Photo 7: the raised walkway that follows Savick Brook under the railway bridge. Low bridge - mind your head.
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Haslam Park Nature Reserve
Highlight β’ Trail
Photo-Guide or Satnav through the Nature Reserve to Cottam Lane - Walk or 10min Cycle
The 3rd photo, P3, shows this highlight's location, red 2, beside Lancaster Canal bridge 15.
If you see only Tip1 open:
komoot.com/highlight/4114660
Despite the above "Cycling not permitted at this location", photo P4, taken from this location, shows a cycle path, a Haslam Park/Nature Reserve sign and a blue-bike sign.
Visitors to the park can include the Nature Reserve route in a walk or cycle. Parking at Cottam Lane and Bristow Avenue park entrances. Link:
komoot.com/highlight/4092174
You can use the route through the reserve as a detour from a Komoot tour that passes close to the park - e. g. via the canal towpath. Join the detour at the highlight location. The detour route ends near the Cottam Lane park entrance. Then rejoin your tour. See Tip2.
The P3 map shows part of a tour (blue route) that includes the photo-guide route through the reserve. If needed, satnav is provided along the detour by that tour, link:
komoot.com/tour/610244459
See Tips 2 to 4 below.
Route Description - Photo-Guide
View in split-screen (Tip6) or 2 screens to see photos alongside the description of the route through the reserve. Best to view photos in the Komoot app.
From the start, blue-bike sign P4, Highlight2 on P3, follow the gravel path - 20 paces. Fork right (P5) onto the off-grid path, hedge on right. In 30 paces go through gap in hedge (P6). Take care - safer to dismount and you may encounter a walker/cyclist approaching the gap. Follow path NW then W. Cycle times based on continuous cycling.
1 min - W to SW - group of trees straight ahead (P7). Continue straight on, W then S between points 5 and 6, on brown, off-grid path (P8 - top of map is west). If using satnav it may instruct to turn left onto blue, on-grid path - ignore it.
Path turns S - group of trees close (P9).
2.5 min - go south (P10). If using satnav, an instruction to turn right, back on-grid. Turn right (W) near the trees to bank of brook, then S and E around edge of field - brook on right.
3.5 min - path more distinct - maybe muddy (P11).
4.5 min - T-junction (P12). Turn right across bridge. No barrier- take care (P13). Turn right. Path divides (P14) - take right fork.
A feint path goes to hedge on left to Cottam Lane (P15).
6 min - P16 looks back through hedge.
Go right in Cottam Lane if you plan to join the canal at bridge 16.
See Tips 2 to 4 for options.
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Ribble Steam Railway
Highlight β’ Monument
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Cottam Lane Entrance and Parking, Haslam Park
Highlight β’ Rest Area
Tip1 assumes you view it in Komoot's website and not the app. Tap or click the 1st photo to open a slideshow - 4 photos. If you see only 3 then, to view the full highlight, open using the link:
komoot.com/highlight/4039656
photo1 - Cottam Lane entrance/parking
photo2 - The Park lake
photo3 - Map of park - see Tip2
photo4 - Split-screen - see Tip3
Enlarge a Photo in a Slideshow
Open the slideshow and display photo3 as an example. Then:
Chrome Browser on a Mobile:
1) Tap and Hold photo3 to show the menu
2) Tap "Preview image" to open a larger image
3) Zoom in and out of the image with 'pinch zoom'
4) Tap the black X to return to the slideshow
Windows PC
1) Opposite-Click photo3 - i.e. click the other mouse button - to display the menu
2) Click "Open Image in New Tab"
3) Click the new tab to display a magnified image - the finger-pointer is replaced by a magnifying-glass
4) Point at the Bristow Ave carpark - bottom-right - and click to zoom-in. The + changes to -
5) Click again to zoom-out
6) To close the new tab, click the black X
Firefox Browser on a Mobile
1) Tap and Hold photo3
2) Tap "Open Image in New Tab" - immediately tap "Switch"
3) Zoom in/out of the image with 'pinch zoom'
4) Tap the left-pointing chevron to return to the slideshow.
Two Carparks
1) Cottam Lane Park Entrance - photo1
A quiet location outside the park gate for 5 cars.
The carpark's position is:
53.772323,-2.739807
On an Android, paste the above line into the Google Maps app "Search here" box and then search.
On Windows use a web browser to search for:
Google Maps 53.772323,-2.739807
2) Repeat for the Bristow Avenue Entrance Main Carpark:
53.770746,-2.731662
There are four 8-mile tours you can start at the Park - Tour1, Tour2 etc.
This highlight focuses on alternative parking on the 4 bike tours. The Haslam Park Highlight, link below, describes:
a) the 4 tours, suitable for children with an adult. You can start/end in the park.
b) the park's highlight segment route through the park. That route is followed by the 1st tour, Tour1. It starts at point A - the Cottam Lane entrance.
c) Alternative routes through the park.
d) Suggestions for short walks from the park.
Link: komoot.com/highlight/3873377
Links to the 4 bike tours are included in the above Haslam Park Highlight. To return to the previous page after tapping a link and if using a mobile phone, tap the left pointing chevron/triangle, bottom of screen.
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River Ribble
Highlight β’ River
The Ribble would appear to have been known in Roman times as the Belisama,possibly giving its name to Samlesbury. Ptolemy's "Belisama aest." seems to represent the estuary of the Ribble. Bremetennacum was a Roman fort that guarded a crossing-point of the river at Ribchester. Remains of another Roman site were discovered at Walton-le-Dale in the mid-19th century.
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Guild Wheel Cycle Lane
Highlight β’ Cycleway
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Avenham Park
Highlight β’ Natural
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Beach Hut Cafe at Preston Marina
Highlight β’ Viewpoint
Website: prestonmarina.co.uk/index.php/the-beach-hut-coffee-shop
Check cafe opening times on above link.
If you see only 3 photos, open:
komoot.com/highlight/4011081
1st photo from outside the Beach Hut Cafe - a view of the boat moorings and the Marina.
2nd photo - on a fine day sit outside.
3rd photo courtesy of Mark Horrocks - taken just outside the Beach Hut.
4th photo - the Marina Control Tower - operates the opening of the swing bridge and the lock gates.
5th photo - the Beach Hut - from the road/rail swing bridge across the entrance to the Marina - photo courtesy of the Preston Marina Beach Hut.
The cafe welcomes cyclists - cycle rack - you should give way to pedestrians. Great to sit outside on a sunny day and maybe take a break from cycling the Guild Wheel. Over the weekend you may even get to see and hear a steam train crossing bridge.
Note: there is parking at the back of the cafe (the main entrance) if you are visiting the cafe. Also free parking at the nearby Marina carpark just south of Mariners Way.
The Marina Carpark Global Position, Latitude and Longitude in decimal, is:
53.761540,-2.738572
Paste the above line into the Google Maps app "Search here" box and then search or the Google Maps website "Search Google Maps" box then click the magnifying glass symbol.
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Popular around Preston
Tips from the Community
first trip on an electric bike, I'm disabled with paralysis of left arm and was slightly apprehensive not just about my disability but the fact I hadn't owned or ridden a push bike in over 40 years. what a rush this was, apart from a small part that was more of a downhill rough path with 4 barriers with which I decided to walk down, nice and very scenic route and totally enjoyed ever part of it
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Tip5 Alternative Start Points with Parking for the 4 Tours Tour1 The Marina Carpark at Preston Marina The Marina Carpark Position is: 53.761540,-2.738572 Either: Paste the above line into the Google Maps app "Search here" box and then search - click the magnifying glass icon. Or: open your web browser and search for Google Maps 53.761540,-2.738572 Ashton Park Car Parks Link: Ashton Park Highlight https://www.komoot.com/highlight/5137829 Highlight7 on the Tour1 map
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Tip4 Part (a) below explains the use of a split-screen using 2 web browsers. In Part (b), a practical example, you can use either the single web browser or the 2 web browsers method. (a) How To View In Split-Screen on Windows Using Two Web Browsers - example Microsoft Edge and Chrome. This method is similar to and slightly easier than the method in Tip3, part b). Open this highlight in both web browsers on the Windows PC. Their icons will be visible on the Windows taskbar. Then display one browser on the left side of the screen and one on the right. Open this highlight in both web browsers on the Windows PC. Their icons will be visible on the Windows taskbar. Then display one browser on the left side of the screen and one on the right. (b) Practical Use of a Split Screen Use a split screen to practise zooming into and out of a photo in a slide show. Create a split screen on an Android phone. On one half display the instructions in Tip1 on how to Enlarge a Photo in a Slideshow. Use e.g. a Chrome or Firefox browser on the other half to open the slideshow and display photo3 in the Chrome or Firefox browser. Then practise zooming in and out of photo3. Similarly, using a Windows PC and Photo3 practise the Windows PC instructions on how to zoom-in and out.
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Tip3 How To Split-Screen The aim is, for example, to view relevant Tips or Comments alongside a photo or map. Photo4 shows a split-screen (from Tour1) on an Android phone. View photos or the route map on one half and the description on the other half of the screen. Scroll the 2 halves independently to compare a photo with e.g. a description in the Tips or Comments. If using a tablet or mobile, view the description in the website and the photo in the Komoot app - easier to pinch-zoom to see different parts of the photo. Instructions for (a) Android phone (b) Windows PC/Laptop For an iPhone search online for "Harris iPhone split screen" (a) Android Phone Check online for your Android phone. Not all models support split screen. Tap below to start a video - how to use split-screen. On a mobile, view in landscape. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuiKgagO71Y (b) Windows PC/Laptop Easy in Windows 10/11. You can open the same Highlight (or Tour) using 2 web browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Chrome, one on the left and one on the right of the screen. Or, you can use a single web browser displayed in 2 windows on the left and the right. Use these instructions to practice the technique. The first instructions below use a single web browser, e.g. Microsoft Edge. Using two web browsers is a little easier - see Tip4. 1) On your Windows PC/laptop, maximise the window if not already full-screen. Copy this highlight's Komoot web address. You need to paste it - see below. 2) Opposite-click this browser's tab on the Windows taskbar. That means click the other mouse button. Then click 'Open new window'. When opened, maximise it, paste and open the web address in the new window and scroll to these instructions so that you can continue to follow them. 3) Press and hold the Windows key on the keyboard and press the left arrow key. The active window moves to the left of the split-screen. 4) You should now see the right-hand half of the first window. Click that window to display it 'on top'. These instructions should still be visible in that window. Check that it's full screen. Press and hold the Windows key again and press the right arrow key. 5) The two windows should now display side-by-side. Scroll one window to display the 1st photo and open the slideshow. Scroll the other for the photo descriptions in the Tips. Then display a photo in one half and a corresponding description in the other.
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Lots of hideaways to stop and admire the wildlife
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Definitely will keep using it
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural attractions can I explore near Preston?
Preston offers a variety of natural attractions. A must-visit is Brockholes Nature Reserve, a 250-acre site with ancient woodland, lakes, and viewing points for diverse wildlife. You can also enjoy the scenic Miller Park Fountain within Miller Park, which, along with Avenham Park, provides beautiful landscaped gardens and riverside paths along the River Ribble. For a longer outdoor experience, the Guild Wheel Cycle Lane offers a 21-mile route encircling the city, connecting many green spaces. Further afield, the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, provides extensive heathland and walking trails.
Are there historical sites or cultural attractions to visit in Preston?
Yes, Preston is rich in history and culture. You can step back in time at the Ribble Steam Railway, a heritage railway and museum operating along Preston Docks. The city also boasts the impressive Harris Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a striking Neoclassical building, and the Church of St Walburge, known for having the tallest spire of any parish church in England. For a glimpse into medieval life, consider visiting Samlesbury Hall or Hoghton Tower.
What family-friendly activities are available around Preston?
Families will find plenty to do. Brockholes Nature Reserve is excellent for all ages, offering wildlife spotting and a floating visitor village. The Guild Wheel Cycle Lane is perfect for family bike rides. For animal encounters, Bowland Wild Boar Park features wild boars, deer, and other animals, along with tractor rides. Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary provides an opportunity to see various birds of prey up close. Additionally, Flip Out Trampoline And Adventure Park offers an active indoor option.
Where can I go for a walk or hike near Preston?
Preston offers numerous walking opportunities. You can enjoy easy strolls through Miller Park and Avenham Park, or explore the trails at Haslam Park Nature Reserve. For more extensive hiking, the Forest of Bowland, including Beacon Fell Country Park, provides panoramic views and diverse walking trails. You can find detailed routes and guides for hiking around Preston on komoot, such as the Hiking around Preston guide.
Are there cycling routes available in Preston?
Absolutely! The Guild Wheel Cycle Lane is a popular 21-mile circular route that connects many of Preston's green spaces and attractions. You can also find various cycling routes suitable for different skill levels, including those passing through Brockholes Nature Reserve. Explore more options in the Cycling around Preston guide.
What are some unique architectural landmarks in Preston?
Preston features several distinctive architectural landmarks. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery is a stunning Neoclassical building. The Church of St Walburge is a notable Gothic Revival church with England's tallest parish church spire. Winckley Square showcases picturesque Georgian townhouses, and the Miller Arcade is another architectural gem in the city centre. Even Preston Bus Station is recognized for its distinctive Brutalist architecture.
Can I find places for birdwatching or wildlife spotting?
Yes, Brockholes Nature Reserve is an excellent spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, offering diverse wetland and woodland habitats. The reserve has hides and viewing points designed to get you closer to nature without disturbance. Other local nature reserves like Fishwick, Grange Valley, and Boilton Wood also provide unique habitats for various species.
Are there any attractions accessible by public transport in Preston?
Many of Preston's attractions are accessible via public transport. The city centre attractions like the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Winckley Square, and Miller Arcade are within walking distance of the bus and train stations. Parks like Avenham and Miller Parks are also centrally located. For attractions slightly further out, local bus services often provide connections. It's advisable to check local bus routes for specific destinations like Brockholes Nature Reserve.
What are the options for mountain biking near Preston?
For mountain biking enthusiasts, there are trails around Preston that cater to different skill levels. While the Guild Wheel Cycle Lane is generally for leisure cycling, more rugged routes can be found in the surrounding areas. You can explore specific MTB trails and their difficulties in the MTB Trails around Preston guide, which includes routes near Hoghton Tower and the Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
Where can I learn about Preston's industrial heritage?
Preston's industrial heritage is evident at several sites. The Ribble Steam Railway, located along Preston Docks, offers insights into the city's railway history. Preston Docks themselves were once Europe's largest inland dock and remain a significant historical site. The Ribble Link Staircase Locks also highlight the area's canal and river navigation history, connecting the Lancaster Canal to the River Ribble.
Are there any attractions with wheelchair-accessible paths?
Yes, several attractions in Preston offer wheelchair-accessible paths. Miller Park, with its listed water fountain and spiralling gardens, is noted for its accessibility. Brockholes Nature Reserve also has accessible paths and a floating visitor village. When planning your visit, it's always a good idea to check the specific venue's website for the most up-to-date accessibility information.
What are some lesser-known or 'hidden gem' attractions in Preston?
Beyond the main highlights, Preston has some charming spots. The Lancashire Infantry Museum is one of the most important military museums in the country, preserving the heritage of five Lancashire regiments. Preston Markets offer a vibrant local experience, and you might even spot a statue of Wallace and Gromit. For art enthusiasts, PR1 Gallery and The Birley showcase contemporary art from UCLan students and local artists.
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