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Preston Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Preston

    Preston was established by the Saxons, and the name of the city derives from the Old English words that mean ‘Priest settlement.’ In 1179, Preston was granted a Guild Merchant Charter, which gave it market town status. From the mid 13th century, Preston was widely recognised for its textile manufacturing industry, and the inventor of the spinning frame, Sir Richard Arkright...Read more, was a weaver who was born in Preston. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century saw the transformation of Preston from a small market town to a large industrial hub in the North, as it became an important centre for textile manufacturing. Preston became home to many commonwealth immigrants in the mid 20th century, making it the culturally diverse city that it is now. Read less

  • 2. Now in Preston

    Preston was granted city status in 2002, and became England’s 50th city. Preston is a city brimming full of culture and history.

  • 3. Events in Preston

    Preston’s diverse cultural community is celebrated with both the Preston Mela and the Caribbean Carnival, which both offer colourful costumes, music and dancing. If you are looking for arts and theatre events, then the Preston Arts Festival and the Preston Tringe Festival are for you. They both celebrate local and national talent, and there’s something for everybody with th...Read moree wide range of performances and shows. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Preston

    Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League, and their Deepdale Football Ground is a must see for any football fans. Deepdale is the oldest football ground in the UK that has been continuously used for professional matches. Preston North End is one of the few English football clubs who have won championships on all four tiers of the English professio...Read morenal league. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Preston

    Visit the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Preston Free Public Library for an insight into Preston’s history. There is a display of important local and archaeology finds, including a prehistoric elk skeleton known as the Poulton Elk. The fine art on display includes work by Graham Sutherland, Stanley Spencer, Ivon Hitchens and Lucian Freud.

  • 6. Business in Preston

    Preston has been an important centre for industry for centuries, and now it is home to a major centre for the British defence aerospace sector. BAE systems, the UK’s main aircraft design, development and manufacture supplier have its Military Aircraft headquarters in Preston.

  • 7. Transport in Preston

    On the 5th December 1958, the Preston bypass was opened, which was the first stretch of motorway in the UK. This road is now a part of the M6, and offers direct transport links to major cities such as Manchester and Birmingham, as well as popular tourist destinations, Blackpool and the Lake District.

  • 8. Entertainment in Preston

    Preston has a great range of entertainment on offer that will suit everyone’s tastes. From theatre and comedy to clubs, Preston has lots to choose from.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Preston

    St Walburge’s Church boasts the tallest spire in England that is on a church that is not a cathedral. It was designed by Joseph Hansom and stands at 308 feet tall. Other buildings of note in Preston are the Minster Church of St. John the Evangelist, the Harris Museum, Miller Arcade and a host of beautiful Georgian buildings on Winckley Square.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Preston

    Preston has had several important visitors over the years: Charles Dickens came to Preston in January 1854 during a cotton workers strike for part of his research for his famous novel ‘Hard Times’. Famous Socialist Karl Marx visited Preston in the 1850s, and dubbed it “the next St. Petersburg.”

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