Car Hire Preston - Mini guide to Preston

Beautifully located on the River Ribble near the Irish Sea in the northwestern English county of Lancashire, Preston is set against a backdrop of countryside rich in heritage.

You can enjoy Preston's heritage and culture by visiting the magnificent Harris Museum & Art Gallery. Built in 1882, the imposing Greek revival architecture building houses an impressive collection of art, sculpture, ceramics as well as a changing exhibition and workshop program. The Harris Museum overlooks the Flag Market, a popular venue for outdoor entertainment including the annual city Criers Competition, Historical Fayre and Pot Fair as well as a summer season of street theatre.

Preston's skyline is dominated by the 95 metre high spire of St. Walburges Church. Built in 1854 and designed by the famous Victorian architect, Joseph Hanson, the church is now a Grade 1 listed building. The city boasts some of the oldest enclosed public parks in the country. Extensive Moor Park dates back to 1726 and Avenham and Miller Parks, laid out in the 1860s on the northern bank of the River Ribble, incorporate parkland, rock gardens and many ornamental features. Other attractions include Hoghton Tower, a 16th century fortified tower, the Parish Church, the Museum of Lancashire, and Samlesbury Hall.

The city has become the cultural centre for Lancashire and exhibits a buoyant and vibrant city centre. Perhaps best known for Preston Guild, a celebration held every 20 years (last celebrated in 1992), the city also has an impressive redeveloped docklands area which is a popular shopping site and marina hosting an annual maritime festival.

Close at hand, however, lies impressive countryside such as the verdant Ribble Valley and the upland moors of the dramatic and beautiful Forest of Bowland and Beacon Fell Country Park. The Yorkshire Dales and the magnificent Lake District are all within an hour's drive.

The city lies at the hub of the motorway network. The M6, M61, M65 and M55 motorways bring most of the UK's population within a two-hour drive. There are excellent hourly Intercity rail connections to both London and Glasgow, and their international airports (2 and a half hours traveling time).

The major suburbs in Preston are: Ashton-on-Ribble, Avenham, Brookfield, Cadley, Cottam, Fulwood, Ingol, Lea, Plungington and Ribbleton.