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Preston has had a renaissance in recent years, transforming itself into a vibrant northern city. Located around 50 kilometres north of both Manchester and Liverpool, Preston has its roots in the industrial revolution. The streets are lined with iconic terraced buildings, but the city centre has been revamped as a bustling hub for shopping and entertainment. Nature continues to surround the city and Preston is a gateway for journeys into the Lake District or the rolling fields of the Ribble Valley.

The city has established itself as one of Northern England’s major shopping destinations, with a revamped, pedestrianised city centre. At the heart of the city is the Harris Public Library, one of England’s finest Grade I listed buildings. Travel beyond the centre, and there are eclectic attractions, including parks, small brownstone villages, and hiking trails. The best way to gain an overview of Preston is to cycle the Guild Wheel, a 34-kilometre trail that encircles the city centre.

Preston’s location has made it a transport hub. It’s on the high-speed west coast railway from London to Scotland and trains to the capital city take around 2.5 hours. Liverpool and Manchester are both within an hour by public transport, as are many of the attractions in the Lake District. There are direct trains to Preston from Manchester Airport, but visitors landing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport will need to first take a bus to Liverpool Lime Street Station. Preston sits at the intersection of four northern England motorways, notably the M6 and M65, making it a convenient base for visiting destinations across the region.

Preston is England’s 50th city, having being upgraded from a town in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It had been a market town since 1179 and was one of the pre-eminent textile towns during the industrial revolution. Preston is the only town or city in England that maintains the tradition of a Guild.Every 20 years, four days of festivities celebrate the city and its market trading history in the same way they have done since the 12th century.