Station
Preston

Britain’s newest city is the gateway to three of Lancashire’s Community Rail routes and is well served by long distance trains to Scotland, Birmingham, London, Leeds and York.  The city has much to offer and the details set out here are just some of the many things you can do.

The premier landmark for the city is St Walburge’s Church, designed by Joseph Hansom of Hansom Cab fame.  At 94 metres (308 feet) it boasts the third highest spire in England and tallest of any parish church. The steeple is constructed from limestone sleepers which originally carried the nearby Preston and Longridge Railway, giving the spire a red tint during sunset.   This striking landmark can be seen on clear days as you approach Preston from the Ormskirk and Blackburn directions.

Preston station is well located for a range of major shops, markets, theatres, restaurants and pubs.  The city also has hidden away, a variety of specialist, independent shops such as Preston Health Food Store at 26 Guildhall Street and Halewood’s Bookshop at 37 & 68 Friargate, click HERE for more details of this excellent bookshop shop.

The main church located in the city centre is St. John the Evangelist Minster on Church Street and views of this can be seen by clicking HERE. Special events take place at the Minster, especially around Christmas time.

Some ideas for places to visit and things to do:

Harris Museum and Art Gallery is located in Market Square right in the heart of the city. Click HERE to find about more about the museum and special events and exhibitions.

The Museum of Lancashire located on Stanley Street offers much of interest, click HERE to find out more.

Ribble Steam Railway islocated on Chain Caul Road in Preston’s Dockland area. The railway is a short bus ride away using the 88C Orbit bus service from outside the main railway station, which takes you close to the railway centre. Click HERE for more information about when trains operate and details of special events.

Preston has some delightful parks and close to the station are Miller and Avenham Parks. In Avenham Park, Preston City Council has opened the excellent Pavillions Cafe with views across the River Ribble. For more details click http://avenhampark.org/. Close to Miller Park and right by the main railway line and its grand viaduct over the Ribble is the Continental, which offers good food and drink and a range of live performances and plays, click HERE for more details.

Winckley Square is set in the heart of the older part of the city and close to the station. Click HERE to find out more about this lovely square and the houses around it, for instance did you know that Edith Rigby one of the Suffragettes lived in this square?

The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment Museum located in Fulwood is also worth seeking out. You will need to take a no. 19 bus from the bus station to reach it. Use the link HERE to find out more about the museum and how to get there.

The Guild Hall and Charter Theatre located on Lancaster Road offers a range of entertainments ranging from plays to classical music and major sporting events.  Click HERE for more details of what is on. Remember to check last train times before booking!

The Tourist Information Office is located in the Guild Hall Arcade on Lancaster Road.  Click HERE to find out more about Preston.

Also well worth a visit is Preston’s other gem the Preston Playhouse on Market Street West, about 10 minutes walk from the station.  The playhouse is the home of amateur dramatics and puts on a full range of plays throughout the year.  The current programme can be viewed by clicking HERE. Remember to check last train times before booking!

Right in the heart of the city centre is Preston Market with the famous undercover Flag Market.  To find out more click HERE.

Address

Preston Station
Fishergate
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 8AP

Grid Reference

SD 534290 – for a map visit http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ and enter the grid reference.

Operator

Avanti West Coast

For Avanti West Coast timetables click here and enter your journey
For Transpennine Express timetables click here

Live Departures

To get live arrivals and departures for your station click here.

Facilities

+  Staffed station (24hrs) booking office open Mon to Fri 05.30 – 22.00, Sat 05.30 – 21.00, Sun 08.00 – 22.00 providing national rail information and tickets and other public transport information
+  Ticket Vending Machines
+  Car park (24 hrs – 939 spaces including disabled)
+  Waiting Rooms available
+  Additional seating on platforms
+  Secure cycle storage (keys from Customer Service office)
+  Cycle hoops
+  Customer Information Screens
+  Public Address system
+  CCTV

Other Information

+  Bus station approximately 15 mins walk from station, but some buses run from front of station – click here for bus timetables
+  See above for visitor attractions