Preston surprises with quiet green spaces, bold heritage, and even creative visual statements at nearly every turn. Whether you’re wandering riverside parks, stepping inside grand civic buildings, or hunting murals along backstreets, the city has character to spare.
Below are some of the most rewarding sights in Preston - each distinctive, walkable, and alive with stories.
Find the best things to see in Preston
Start with Avenham and Miller Parks, a pair of Victorian-era parks that hug the River Ribble, just minutes from the centre. Avenham features formal lawns, a Japanese rock garden, riverside walks, the Belvedere pavilion, and the Swiss chalet. Miller Park complements with more structured gardens, floral displays, a grotto, and statues.
Together, they offer a gentle, scenic stroll that connects tramway relics, riverside paths, and green retreats in the heart of the city. These parks suit someone craving calm, natural beauty inside a city setting.
If you’d like to travel further, Brockholes Nature Reserve is a step into wild renewal. Once a quarry, it now spans around 250 acres of wetland, woodland and meadow, centred on a striking floating visitor village built over lakes.
The reserve’s trails and hides invite birdwatchers and nature lovers, and there’s a café overlooking the water. It works beautifully as a half-day escape for anyone wanting to shed city energy and observe wildlife in action.
In the city centre itself, The Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library is a cultural anchor. The Grade I-listed building houses art, local history, costume, ceramics and more.
One standout display is the “Poulton Elk”, a 13,500-year-old skeletal find, along with rotating exhibitions that draw regional interest. This makes this museum in Preston ideal for visitors who enjoy bridging local heritage, fine art, and architecture in one accessible stop.
Preston Docks, though no longer a working port, has strong echoes of the city’s industrial river heritage. The docks connect to the Ribble Steam Railway, where heritage steam trains run along a short branch line offering nostalgic locomotive rides. Even walking along the riverside here gives a sense of Preston’s maritime past and industrial transformations.
If you like self-led Preston sightseeing, follow the City Heritage Trail. It threads through Preston’s landmarks, along its civic buildings, statues, Georgian squares, and plaques. It’s a compelling choice for solo travellers or couples wanting to piece together Preston’s story on foot.
A vibrant layer above older bricks, the Street Art Murals in Preston bring out the city’s creative side. Large-scale works appear across the centre, many referencing Preston’s industrial roots, textile history, and urban identity. These murals are perfect for casual explorers seeking bold colours, Instagram moments, or a fresh perspective on the modern city.
Finally, drop by 53 Degrees, a live music and arts venue housed in a restored water tower. It hosts gigs, club nights, community events and late-night arts happenings. It’s especially appealing to younger audiences, live-music lovers, or anyone wanting to tap into Preston’s contemporary culture.