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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Preston

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Preston

Preston is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Red Scar, 25km from Trough of Bowland.

Preston is a city located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 313,332, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Preston sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Preston to your route.

About Preston

The University of Lancashire is a public university based in the city of Preston, Lancashire, England. It has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge, founded in 1828. Previously known as the University of Central Lancashire, Harris Art College, Preston Polytechnic and Lancashire

Read more Polytechnic, in 1992 it was granted university status by the Privy Council. The university is the 19th largest in the UK in terms of student numbers. In December 2024, the university received approval from the Office for Students to change its name to the University of Lancashire, with the rebrand intended to come into effect by September 2025, despite concerns over confusion from the University of Lancaster.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Preston

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Preston?

Preston offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Preston?

Plan your road trip to Preston with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Preston as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Preston located?

Preston is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 53.7628 latitude, -2.7045 longitude.

What is the population of Preston?

Preston has a population of approximately 313,332 people, making it a city in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
313,332
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
53.7628, -2.7045

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandCity

Worth the detour from Preston

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Iconic seaside amusement park on England's northwest coast operating since 1896 with historic and modern coasters.

23 km · about 25 min drive

famous road

Trough of Bowland

Remote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.

25 km · about 30 min drive

racetrack

Aintree Motor Racing Circuit

Historic circuit inside Aintree Racecourse that hosted five British Grands Prix in the 1950s-60s, where Stirling Moss took his first home GP win. Club sprints still run on the old track.

36 km · about 40 min drive

cafe

Rapha Clubhouse Manchester

Manchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.

44 km · about 50 min drive

natural wonder

Malham Cove

Vast curved limestone cliff rising 80 metres from the valley floor, crowned with an extraordinary limestone pavement of weathered clints and grykes.

50 km · about 55 min drive

natural wonder

Gordale Scar

A jaw-dropping limestone ravine with waterfalls tumbling between overhanging cliffs near Malham.

51 km · about 60 min drive

landmark

Ribblehead Viaduct

Magnificent Victorian railway viaduct with 24 arches striding across the bleak moorland of the Yorkshire Dales, an engineering marvel of the 1870s.

54 km · about 65 min drive

museum

Lakeland Motor Museum

Riverside museum at Backbarrow with 30,000 exhibits including 140 classic vehicles and a dedicated exhibition on the Campbells' Bluebird land and water speed record machines.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Preston

  • 25 kmTrough of BowlandRemote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
  • 66 kmSnake PassA twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
  • 67 kmSnake Pass SummitThe highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
  • 72 kmButtertubs PassA high, narrow Dales road over the moors, named for deep limestone potholes and ranked among Britain's best drives.
  • 74 kmCat and Fiddle RoadA thrilling moorland road between Macclesfield and Buxton in the Peak District, one of the UK's most famous driving roads.
  • 74 kmCat and Fiddle ViewpointA high-altitude viewpoint on the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton, one of England's highest roads with expansive moorland vistas.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Preston.

Red Scar

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 1,244

Goosnargh

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 1,398

Leyland

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 37,614

Clayton-le-Woods

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 14,528

Longridge

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 7,526

Euxton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 7,863

Freckleton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 km awayPop. 8,049

Kirkham

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

11 km awayPop. 7,883

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence