Fantastic unusual things to visit in and around Preston
How many have you visited?
Last updated 18th Jun 2020
There's a lot more to Preston than clothes shops and coffee shop chains. So if you have a bit of spare time on your hands, why not visit some of our hidden gems?
Not only has the Preston Market become a great addition to the city centre, there are also many picturesque parks, and charming buildings that you should look out for in and around the city.
1. Japanese Garden in Avenham Park
Hidden in the scenic Avenham Park, next to the River Ribble, the Japanese Garden is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle from the city. Sit on the benches overlooking everything going on in nearby Avenham Park, or the birds and fish in the ponds.
2. The Belvedere, Avenham Park
On the opposite side of Avenham Park to the Japanese Garden is The Belvedere. The Belvedere is a beautiful place with panoramic views and Roman architecture. It’s also a wedding venue where couples can have their own flag flying on the flagpole! It was originally built in nearby Miller Park in 1865, before being moved to its current position in 1875. It was later renovated in 2008, and is now a Grade II listed building.
3. West Grotto in Miller Park
While you're in Avenham Park why not do the short walk across to The West Grotto. It features a small waterfall and light display sequence! It was built in 1867 and is one of the several rock features in Avenham and Miller Parks. There are several LED lights set within the pools, which project into the falling water.
4. Preston Market
Preston Market is home to Livesey's Butchers, Pickles of Preston - perfect for cheese-lovers, Redmans, for cooked meat, and Superveg for your fruit and veg, amongst many other local traders.
The market was revamped and reopened in its new location in 2018, and despite a few teething problems has become the place to visit for local meat, fish, fruit and veg.
5. First KFC in the UK
If you want fast food in Preston, you've got to go to the first KFC that opened in the UK. The restaurant opened in 1965 and was the first American fast food restaurant chain to open in the country. It is still in the same location on Fishergate.
6. Fishergate Bollard
The Fishergate Bollard is a local celebrity in its own right! At the junction between Fishergate, Corporation Street and Butler Street, near Debenhams in Preston, the bollards often make the news after someone unwittingly drives onto the plinth.
The regularity of these instances resulted in the bollard getting its own Twitter account, being nominated for a business award and receiving Tripadvisor reviews.
During the Coronavirus lockdown, the bollard's account joked about doing a virtual quiz 'with the lads'.
The infamous Fishergate bollard has now been replaced by Lancashire County Council, with new bollards made of steel which include a reflective red rose, and lettering for added visibility. The surround at the base will also help to reduce the likelihood and impact of any collision.
How many of these fantastic gems have you visited? If you can think of anymore let us know!
Now take a look at 10 facts you probably didn't know about Lancashire:
First KFC
The first KFC in the UK opened in Preston in 1965, on Fishergate, and it's still there to this day, with photos of the opening on the wall. On Valentine's Day in 2016 they offered a table service, how romantic.
First motorway
The first motorway in the UK was built around Preston and opened in 1958. Now known as the M6, the motorway was originally called the Preston Bypass. The Bypass was an eight mile stretch of motorway.
Preston North End
Preston North End (PNE) football club was originally founded as a cricket club in 1863.
PNE was a founding member of the football league. In 1887, PNE beat Hyde 26–0 in the First Round of the FA Cup. This is still a record winning margin in English first-class football.
Preston Bus Station
Preston Bus Station was believed to be the second largest in Europe and is now a Grade II listed building.
At one point the bus station had a massive 80 bays, however, the side nearest the city centre has now been converted to a public square, while 40 bays still remain on the other side of the station.
Big Daddy giant crab
Sea Life Blackpool was home to a record breaking crab. Big Daddy held the record for the 'longest leg on a crab' which measured 1.43 m (4 ft 8.5 in), measured on 8th of August 2013.
Mass fingerprinting
Blackburn was the first town in the UK to take on mass fingerprinting following the murder of June Anne Devaney in May 1948.
Blackburn Rovers
Like PNE, Blackburn Rovers was a founder member of the Football League.
Blackburn Rovers' blue and white home colours come from a group of public schoolboys who founded the club in 1875. Their school uniform was very similar in design and colour.
King James I
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, is the location of the sirloin steak getting its name. It is said that King James I knighted a particularly tasty piece of beef saying 'arise Sir Loin'.
The Big One rollercoaster
When it opened, the Big One rollercoaster in Blackpool was the largest and steepest in the world. It held this title until 1996 when Fujiyama in Japan became the highest in the world. It is still a huge attraction to this day, and on certain dates it's possible to climb the Big One for charity.
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College and the surrounding Ribble Valley are said to be the inspiration for JRR Tolkien's best-seller, Lord of the Rings.
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