A website about Preston, Lancashire, the third largest city in the north west of England. Also including a wide area around it.
Preston grew from an agricultural centre into a major Lancashire cotton town through the likes of the Horrock’s and the Miller's, local inventors like Arkwright, and a willing workforce. Later the area built trams, buses, trucks, aircraft, munitions, paper, paint and rubber products as well. Now the area has aircraft, trucks, BNFL, InBev brewery and a number of call-centres. Preston port has one of the biggest single docks in the country and is now a marina, leisure and shopping area.
Lancashire County Council is based in Preston and it is home to the University of Central Lancashire, the National Football Museum and the Regimental HQ of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
Preston North End are one of the founding members of the football league and reached the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League in 2004, 2005, 2009.
Granted a Royal Charter in 1179, Preston Guild Merchant has been held almost every 20 years since, the next is 2012. Jacobite and Civil War battles were held in the streets of Preston and a Roman Road passes through.
Preston is located almost geographically in the centre of Britain and is a main route centre for several motorways and the west coast main line. The first British motorway was the Preston by-pass, M6.
To the north is open countryside and the less populated part of Britain. To the south is the busy metropolitan area of Manchester / Merseyside.
Within 1 hour you can be in the Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales, Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool or Chester.
The Harris Museum is a classical building containing a fine art collection and museum. The British Commercial Vehicle Museum is located in Leyland to the south.
Preston has a good shopping centre, plans for a major expansion are being opposed by envious neighbouring town councils.
In February 2009 our Made in Preston blog was started. It is fully moderated.
Click here to view the blog
Diary of things in and around Preston 2009
Blackpool Totally Transport 2009 Photos
