Editing Preston, Lancashire

{{Short description|City in Lancashire, England}}
{{About|the city in Lancashire, England|the local government district|City of Preston, Lancashire}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
 | official_name            = Preston
 | country                  = England
 | region                   = North West England
 | static_image             = {{multiple images|perrow=1 2|align=center|total_width=240px|border=infobox
   | image1 = Preston Flag Market.jpg
   | image2 = Preston Corn Exchange.jpg
   | image3 = Along Friargate - geograph.org.uk - 5890270.jpg
   | image4 = County Hall, Preston - geograph.org.uk - 5958504.jpg
   | image5 = St. Walburge's Church, Preston - geograph.org.uk - 4769806.jpg
 }}
 | static_image_caption     = {{ubl|From left to right:|Top: [[Sessions House, Preston|Sessions House]], [[Preston Cenotaph]] and [[Harris Museum]]| Middle: the [[Corn Exchange, Preston|Corn Exchange]] and Friargate|Bottom: [[County Hall, Preston|County Hall]] and [[Church of St Walburge, Preston|St Walburge's Church]]}}
 | static_image_2_name      = Preston town flag.svg
 | static_image_2_width     = 150px
 | static_image_2_caption   = The city flag
 | population               = 147800
 | population_ref           = ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000123/|title=How life has changed in Preston: Census 2021|website=sveltekit-prerender}}</ref>
 | population_demonym       = Prestonian
 | coordinates              = {{Coord|53.759|-2.699|type:city(114,300)_region:GB-LAN|display=inline,title}}
 | label_position           = left
 | post_town                = PRESTON
 | postcode_area            = PR
 | postcode_district        = PR1-PR2
 | dial_code                = 01772
 | constituency_westminster = [[Preston (UK Parliament constituency)|Preston]]
 | constituency_westminster1= [[Ribble Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Ribble Valley]]
 | civil_parish             = 
 | shire_district           = [[City of Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]
 | shire_county             = [[Lancashire]]
 | type                     = City
 | pushpin_map              = United Kingdom City of Preston#United Kingdom Preston
 | pushpin_map_caption      = City centre in the City of Preston district##City centre within Preston unparished area
}}

'''Preston''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-Preston.ogg|ˈ|p|r|ɛ|s|t|ən}}) is a city{{Efn|The area that is the subject of this article does not have legal city status of itself, but is widely regarded as a city since it is the main and nominate settlement in the City of Preston local government area.}} on the north bank of the [[River Ribble]] in [[Lancashire]], England. The city is the [[administrative centre]] of the county of Lancashire and the wider [[City of Preston, Lancashire|City of Preston]] local government district. Preston and its surrounding district obtained [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 2002, becoming England's 50th city in the 50th year of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]]'s reign.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1872505.stm 'Proud Preston' wins city status]" ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822175750/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1872505.stm |date=22 August 2007 }}), BBC News, 14 March 2002. Retrieved 6 June 2006.</ref> Preston had a population of 147,800 at the 2021 census, {{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} the City of Preston district 156,411 in 2023<ref>City of Preston: 132,000.[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do;jsessionid=ac1f930d30d899479cecf37043e19d7a8d3fa6304509?a=7&b=277022&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463253&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282408183176&enc=1&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssvg=false&nswid=108 Preston (Local Authority): Key Figures for People and Society: Population and Migration] ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211738/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do;jsessionid=ac1f930d30d899479cecf37043e19d7a8d3fa6304509?a=7&b=277022&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463253&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282408183176&enc=1&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssvg=false&nswid=108 |date=3 March 2016 }}), Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 21 August 2010.<br />The population for the unparished area is calculated by subtracting the populations of the three rural Middle Layer Super Output Areas, Preston 001 (5,185), Preston 002 (6,417) and Preston 010 (6,134).
[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=282427&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463316&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282409253613&enc=1 Preston 001 (Middle Layer Super Output Area): Key Figures for People and Society: Population and Migration] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622125329/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=282427&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463316&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282409253613&enc=1 |date=22 June 2011 }}, Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 21 August 2010.<br />[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=282428&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463202&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282409467504&enc=1 Preston 002 (Middle Layer Super Output Area): Key Figures for People and Society: Population and Migration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622125439/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=282428&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463202&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282409467504&enc=1 |date=22 June 2011 }}, Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 21 August 2010.<br />[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=282436&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463283&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282409652894&enc=1 Preston 010 (Middle Layer Super Output Area): Key Figures for People and Society: Population and Migration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622125518/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=282436&c=Preston&d=13&e=13&g=463283&i=1001x1003x1004&o=280&m=0&r=1&s=1282409652894&enc=1 |date=22 June 2011 }}, Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 21 August 2010.</ref> and the Preston Built-up Area 313,322.<ref name="BUA">{{cite web| url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx| title=2011 Census – Built-up areas| publisher=[[Office for National Statistics|ONS]]| access-date=15 August 2013| archive-date=25 May 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525162650/http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx| url-status=live}}</ref> The Preston Travel To Work Area, in 2011, had a population of 420,661,<ref>{{Cite web|title = Lancashire – UK Census Data 2011|url = http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lancashire-e10000017#sthash.HuDieuHn.dpbs|website = UK Census Data|access-date = 8 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043249/http://www.ukcensusdata.com/lancashire-e10000017#sthash.HuDieuHn.dpbs|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref> compared with 354,000 in the previous census. The south bank of the Ribble is part of the Preston urban area, although it forms the [[South Ribble]] borough that is administratively separate.

Preston and its surrounding area have provided evidence of ancient [[Roman Britain|Roman]] activity, largely in the form of a [[Roman road]] that led to a camp at [[Walton-le-Dale]]. The [[Angles (tribe)|Angles]] established Preston; its name is derived from the [[Old English]] meaning "priest's settlement" and in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' is recorded as "Prestune". In the [[Middle Ages]], Preston was a parish and township in the hundred of [[Amounderness]] and was granted a Guild Merchant charter in 1179, giving it the status of a [[market town]]. Textiles have been produced since the mid-13th century when locally produced wool was woven in people's houses. [[Flemish people|Flemish]] weavers who settled in the area in the 14th century helped develop the industry. In the early-18th century, [[Edmund Calamy (historian)|Edmund Calamy]] described Preston as "a pretty town with an abundance of gentry in it, commonly called Proud Preston".<ref>{{Cite journal
 | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53190#n66
 | title = The parish of Preston', A History of the County of Lancaster
 | year = 1912
 | journal = A History of the County of Lancaster
 | pages = 72–91
 | volume = 7
 | access-date = 13 March 2009
 | archive-date = 9 January 2021
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144837/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp72-91#n66
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref> Sir [[Richard Arkwright]], inventor of the [[spinning frame]], was born in the town. The most rapid period of growth and development coincided with the industrialisation and expansion of [[textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution|textile manufacturing]]. Preston was a [[boomtown]] of the [[Industrial Revolution]], becoming a densely populated engineering centre, with large industrial plants. The town's textile sector fell into terminal decline from the mid-20th century and Preston has subsequently faced similar challenges to other [[Post-industrial society|post-industrial]] [[Northern England|northern]] towns, including deindustrialisation, economic deprivation and housing issues.

Preston is the seat of [[Lancashire County Council]], houses the main campus of the [[University of Central Lancashire]] (UCLan) and is home to [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], a founding member of [[the Football League]] and the first [[List of English football champions|English football champions]] in [[1888–89 Preston North End F.C. season|1889]]. In that season, the team also won the league and cup [[Double (association football)|double]] and went unbeaten in the league. It took 115 years until another team went a full season unbeaten. After winning another league title the following year, the team has not won a championship since and their latest major trophy was the [[1938 FA Cup Final|1938 FA Cup]].

The demonym for residents of the city is "Prestonian".<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Prestonian|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Prestonian|journal=The Free Dictionary|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144844/https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Prestonian|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.preston.gov.uk/thecouncil/news-room/the-prestonian/|title=The Prestonian {{!}} Preston City Council|last=m.moville|website=Preston.gov.uk|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230090949/http://www.preston.gov.uk/thecouncil/news-room/the-prestonian/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Toponymy==
Preston was recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as {{lang|la|Prestune}}.<ref>Hunt, 1992. p. 9.</ref> Various other spellings occur in early documents: ''Prestonam'' (1094), ''Prestone'' (1160), ''Prestona'' (1160), ''Presteton'' (1180), and ''Prestun'' (1226). The modern spelling occurs in 1094, 1176, 1196, 1212, and 1332.<ref>Hunt, 1992. p. 10.</ref> The town's name is derived from the [[Old English]] words {{lang|ang|Presta}} and {{lang|ang|tun}}. The {{lang|ang|tun}} (enclosure, farmstead, village, manor, estate)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names/engplnam.html |title=History of English Place-Names |publisher=Heraldry.sca.org |date=1 October 2005 |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144832/http://heraldry.sca.org/names/engplnam.html |url-status=live }}</ref> of the {{lang|ang|Presta}}.<ref>Hunt, 2003. p. 31.</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Lancashire}}

===Early development===
During the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] period, Roman roads passed close to what is now the centre of Preston. For example, the road from [[Luguvalium]] to [[Mamucium]] (now Carlisle to Manchester) crossed the [[River Ribble]] at [[Walton-le-Dale]], {{convert|3/4|mi|km|0}} southeast of the centre of Preston, and a Roman camp or station may also have been here.<ref>[[William Dobson (antiquary)|William Dobson]], ''Rambles by the Ribble'', Volume 3, "[https://books.google.com/books?id=qu4-AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA78 Ch. 8, Walton-le-Dale] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107000423/https://books.google.com/books?id=qu4-AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA78 |date=7 January 2020 }}", Publisher: W. and J. Dobson, 1864</ref><ref>Charles Hardwick, "On the Roman Remains Recently Discovered at Walton-le-Dale, Near Preston", in ''Transactions'', Volumes 7–8, Historic Society of Lancashire and Published 1855, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MAUNAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA127 pp. 127] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231021254/https://books.google.com/books?id=MAUNAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA127 |date=31 December 2019 }}</ref> At Withy Trees, {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km|0}} north of Preston, the road crossed another Roman road from [[Bremetennacum]] (the Roman fort at [[Ribchester]]) to the coast.<ref>Hodge, 1997. pp. 3–5.</ref>

An explanation of the origin of the name is that the Priest's Town refers to a priory set up by St Wilfrid near the Ribble's lowest ford. This idea is supported by the similarity of the [[Lamb of God|Paschal lamb]] on Preston's crest with that on St Wilfrid's.<ref>Walsh and Butler, 1992.</ref>

When first mentioned in the 1086 [[Domesday Book]], Preston was already the most important town in [[Amounderness]] (the area of Central Lancashire between the rivers [[River Ribble|Ribble]] and [[River Cocker, Lancashire|Cocker]], including [[The Fylde]] and the [[Forest of Bowland]]). When assessed for tax purposes in 1218 – 19 it was the wealthiest town in the whole county.<ref>Hodge, 1997. pp. 6–10.</ref>

===Guild Merchant===
[[File:Guild emblem.jpg|thumb|2012 Preston Guild roadside emblem]]
The right to hold a ''Guild Merchant'' was conferred by [[Henry II of England|King Henry II]] upon the [[burgess (title)|burgesses]] of Preston in a charter of 1179; the associated Preston Guild is a civic celebration held every 20 years, the last being in 2012. It is the only guild still celebrated in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitpreston.com/visitor-information/about-preston/preston-guild|title=Preston Guild|publisher=Visit Preston |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

Before 1328, celebrations were held at irregular intervals, but at the guild of that year it was decreed that subsequent guilds should be held every 20 years. After this, there were breaks in the pattern for various reasons, but an unbroken series were held from 1542 to 1922. A full 400-year sequence was frustrated by the cancellation of the 1942 guild due to [[World War II]], but the cycle resumed in 1952. The expression '(Once) every Preston Guild', meaning 'very infrequently', has passed into fairly common use, especially in Lancashire.

Guild week is always started by the opening of the Guild Court, which since the 16th century has traditionally been on the first Monday after the feast of the [[Beheading of John the Baptist]] celebrated on 29 August. As well as concerts and other exhibitions, the main events are a series of processions through the city. Numerous street parties are held in the locality.

In 1952 the emphasis was on the bright new world emerging after the war. The major event, held in the city's [[Avenham Park]], had every school participating, and hundreds of children, from toddlers to teenagers, demonstrated different aspects of physical education in the natural amphitheatre of the park.

The 2012 guild formally opened on 2 September with a mayoral proclamation and the return of "friendship scrolls" that had travelled the world.<ref>[http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2012-09-01/preston-guild-friendship-scrolls-return/  Preston Guild – Friendship scrolls return] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144844/https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2012-09-01/preston-guild-friendship-scrolls-return |date=9 January 2021 }} Retrieved 3 September 2012.</ref> Highlights in the programme for the 2012 celebration included two concerts in Avenham Park – one by [[Human League]] and another, a "Proms In The Park", featuring [[José Carreras]], [[Katherine Jenkins]] and the [[Manchester Camerata]].

===Pre-industrial Preston===
[[File:Plaque in Preston Lancashire commemorating Rev Joseph (Daddy) Dunn and first gas-lit building.jpg|thumb|Plaque in Fox Street commemorating the work of [[Joseph Dunn (revolutionary)|Reverend Joseph Dunn]] in bringing [[gas lighting]] to the town]]

In the mid-12th century, Preston was in the hundred of [[Amounderness]], in the deanery of Amounderness and the archdeaconry of [[Richmond, North Yorkshire|Richmond]]. The name "Amounderness" is more ancient than the name of any other "Wapentake" or hundred in the County of Lancashire, and the fort at Tulketh, strengthened by [[William the Conqueror]], shows that the strategic importance of the area was appreciated even then.<ref>{{cite web |author=John Moss, for Papillon (Manchester UK) Limited |url=http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/lancashire1.html |title=The County of Lancashire, England, UK |publisher=Manchester2002-uk.com |access-date=17 July 2010 |archive-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326000753/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/lancashire1.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

{{wikisource|Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1834/Preston|'Preston', a poetical illustration by L. E. L.}}
The location of the city, almost exactly midway between [[Glasgow]] and London, led to many confrontations with [[Scotland]]. Preston was burned by the Scots during [[The Great Raid of 1322]] but two years later had quickly recovered. Decisive battles were also fought here, most notably during the [[English Civil War]] at the [[Battle of Preston (1648)]], and then the first [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] rebellion, whose invasion of England was brought to a conclusion by the defeat of the pro-Catholic and pro-monarchial Jacobite army at the [[Battle of Preston (1715)]]. [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]] alludes to this latter defeat in her poetical illustration, ''Preston'', to an engraving of a painting by [[Thomas Allom]], in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book 1834.<ref>{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1834|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=19BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PT66|section=poetical illustration|pages=50-51|year=1833|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1834|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=19BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PT68|section=picture|year=1833|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>

[[File:Hardwick(1857) p2.090 - Map of Preston as it was in 1774.jpg|thumb|left|Preston in 1774]]
In the last great Jacobite Rising, on 27 November 1745 the Jacobite Prince of Wales and Regent, [[Bonnie Prince Charlie]] passed through Preston with his Highland Army on the way south through Chorley and Manchester to Derby intending to take London and the Crown. Preston was the first of quite a few places in England where the Prince was cheered as he rode by and where he was joined by some English volunteers for his Army. One Jacobite eyewitness noted that from Preston onwards, "at every town we were received with ringing of bells, and at night we have bonfires, and illuminations".<ref>SP 36/75, fol.84, fols.177a, 179, Alexander Blair to Mrs Blair, 5 December.1745.</ref> Another Jacobite eyewitness noted in a private letter from Preston on 27 November 1745: "People here are beginning to join [us] very fast; we have got about sixty recruits today".<ref>SP 36/75, fol.87, – to Lady Gask, 27 November.1745.</ref> From 10 to 12 December the Prince gave his retreating Army a rest in Preston on their long, last and fatal retreat from Derby through Lancaster and Carlisle to their dreadful day of destiny the following 16 April on [[Battle of Culloden|Culloden Moor]] near [[Inverness]].<ref>Fitzroy Maclean, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' 1988</ref>

===Industrial Revolution===
The 19th century saw a transformation in Preston from a small market town to a much larger industrial one, as the innovations of the latter half of the previous century such as [[Richard Arkwright]]'s [[water frame]] (invented in Preston) brought cotton mills to many northern English towns. With industrialisation came examples of both oppression and enlightenment.

The town's forward-looking spirit is typified by it being the first English town outside London to be lit by gas. The Preston Gas Company was established in 1815 by, amongst others, a Catholic priest: Rev. Joseph "Daddy" Dunn of the [[Society of Jesus]]. The [[Preston and Wigan Railway]] arrived in 1838, shortly afterwards renamed the [[North Union Railway]]. The [[Sheffield]] firm of [[Thos. W. Ward]] Ltd opened a [[ship breaking]] yard at [[Preston Dock]] in 1894.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ribblesteam.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/preston-dock-shipbreakers/ |title=Preston Dock – Shipbreakers |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=12 October 2013 |website=ribblesteam.wordpress.com |publisher=The Ribble Pilot |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144835/https://ribblesteam.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/preston-dock-shipbreakers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The more oppressive side of industrialisation was seen during the [[Preston Strike of 1842]] on Saturday 13 August 1842, when a group of cotton workers demonstrated against the poor conditions in the town's mills. The [[Riot Act]] was read and armed troops corralled the demonstrators in front of the [[Corn Exchange, Preston|Corn Exchange]] on Lune Street. Shots were fired and four of the demonstrators were killed. A commemorative sculpture now stands on the spot (although the soldiers and demonstrators represented are facing the wrong way). In the 1850s, [[Karl Marx]] visited Preston and later described the town as "the next [[St Petersburg]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1854/08/01a.htm|title=Karl Marx in the New York Daily Tribune 1854|date=1 August 1854|access-date=20 September 2006|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144910/https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1854/08/01a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Charles Dickens]] visited Preston in January 1854 during [[Preston strike of 1853–4|a strike by cotton workers]] that had by that stage lasted for 23 weeks. It is believed that the town of "Coketown" in the novel ''[[Hard Times (novel)|Hard Times]]'' was inspired by this visit to Preston. In 1858, the [[Preston Power Loom Weavers' Association]] was founded, and by 1920 it had more than 13,000 members in the town.<ref name="marsh">{{cite book|last1=Marsh|first1=Arthur|last2=Ryan|first2=Victoria|last3=Smethurst|first3=John B.|title=Historical Directory of Trade Unions|volume=4|date=1994|publisher=Ashgate|location=Farnham|isbn=9780859679008|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historicaldirect0004mars/page/113 113–115]|url=https://archive.org/details/historicaldirect0004mars/page/113}}</ref>

[[File:Fishergate, Preston, about 1904.jpg|thumb|Fishergate and the [[Preston Town Hall#Fourth town hall|Town Hall clock tower]] in about 1904]]
The Preston Temperance Society, led by [[Joseph Livesey]] pioneered the [[Teetotalism|Temperance Movement]] in the 19th century. Indeed, the term [[teetotalism]] is believed to have been coined at one of its meetings. The website of the [[University of Central Lancashire]] library has a great deal of information on Joseph Livesey and the Temperance Movement in Preston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uclan.ac.uk/library/usersupport/lrs/collections/livesey/index.htm|title=The Livesey Collection|access-date=20 September 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060911182933/http://www.uclan.ac.uk/library/usersupport/lrs/collections/livesey/index.htm |archive-date = 11 September 2006}}</ref>

Preston was one of only a few industrial towns in Lancashire to have a functioning corporation (local council) in 1835 (its charter dating to 1685), and was reformed as a [[municipal borough]] by the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]]. It became the [[County Borough of Preston]] under the [[Local Government Act 1888]]. In 1974, county boroughs were abolished, and it became part of the larger part of the new non-metropolitan district, the [[Borough of Preston]], which also included [[Fulwood Urban District]] and much of [[Preston Rural District]]. The borough acquired city status in 2002.

===Preston since the early 20th century===
[[File:Preston Town Hall, from the Guild Hall balcony - geograph.org.uk - 161713.jpg|thumb|[[Preston Town Hall]], completed in 1934]]
By 1901, nearly 120,000 people were living in Preston, now a booming industrial town.

New industries arrived in Preston during the interwar years which helped ease the pain felt through the sharp decline of the cotton industry. Electrical goods manufacturing and engineering arrived in the town, and the building sector enjoyed a boom with nearly 3,000 [[Council housing|council houses]] being built between 1920 and 1939. Some 1,500 houses were built for private sale.{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}}

Despite its heavy industry, Preston endured only a handful of [[Luftwaffe]] air raids in World War II and there were no fatalities in the town, although an air crash in the [[Freckleton]] district claimed the lives of 61 people in 1944.

For some 20 years after 1948, Preston became home to a significant number of Asian and [[Caribbean]] [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] immigrants, who mostly worked in the manufacturing industry. However, an economic decline hit the town once again in the 1970s, capped by the closure of the [[Courtaulds]] factory in 1979 (nearly 3,000 job losses) and the decline of the [[Preston Dock|docks]] on the [[River Ribble]], which finally closed in 1981. Mass unemployment was firmly back in Preston by the early 1980s, although it was now very much a national crisis due to the [[Early 1980s recession#United Kingdom|recession of that time]].
[[File:Moor Park, Preston - geograph.org.uk - 557547.jpg|thumb|left|[[Moor Park, Preston|Moor Park]]]]
The rehousing of families from town centre slums to new council houses continued after World War II, though it slowed down to a virtual standstill after 1975.{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}} The face of the town centre began to change in the 1960s, with old developments being bulldozed and replaced by modern developments such as the [[St George's Shopping Centre (Preston)|St George's Shopping Centre]], which opened in 1966, and the [[Fishergate Shopping Centre]] which was built nearly 20 years later. The remains of the Victorian town hall, designed by [[George Gilbert Scott]] and mostly destroyed by fire in 1947, were replaced by an office block (Crystal House) in 1962, and a modern-architecture [[Preston Guild Hall|Guild Hall]] opened in 1972, to replace the Public Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/General/musicinpreston.html|title=Music in Preston|work=Made in Preston|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144835/http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/General/musicinpreston.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The town was by-passed by [[Preston By-pass|Britain's very first motorway]], built and operated by engineer James Drake, which was opened by [[Harold Macmillan]] in December 1958. Within a decade, this formed part of the [[M6 motorway|M6]] – giving Preston a direct motorway link with [[Manchester]] and [[Birmingham]]. The late 1960s saw the completion of Ringway, a [[Bypass (road)|bypass]] around the town centre, as well as a [[Preston bus station|new bus station]].<ref>Lambert, Tim, [http://www.localhistories.org/preston.html A Brief history of Preston, Lancashire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144835/http://www.localhistories.org/preston.html |date=9 January 2021 }}</ref>

On 6 April 2012 the city's residents performed the ''[[Preston Passion]]'', a dramatised version of the [[Passion of Christ]], which was broadcast live by [[BBC One]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-17633443 |title=Live Preston Passion |work=BBC News |date=6 April 2012 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144839/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-17633443 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Governance==
{{further|City of Preston, Lancashire}}
The unparished urban settlement of Preston is represented by 19 of the 22 council wards within [[Preston City Council]] which is based at [[Preston Town Hall]] on Lancaster Road. From the 2024 General Election, Preston is divided between two Westminster constituencies, namely [[Preston (UK Parliament constituency)|Preston]] and [[Ribble Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Ribble Valley]]. The [[County Hall, Preston|County Hall]] is located on Fishergate and is the main office for [[Lancashire County Council]].<ref>"Opening of the new Town-Hall at Preston". ''The Times''. 15 September 1882.</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Map of Preston.png|thumb|300px|Regions of Preston]]
{{Further|List of places in Preston}}

The [[River Ribble]] provides a southern border for the city. The [[Forest of Bowland]] forms a backdrop to Preston to the northeast while [[the Fylde]] lies to the west. At {{Coord|53|45|N|2|42|W}}, Preston is approximately {{convert|27|mi}} north west of [[Manchester]], {{convert|26|mi}} north east of [[Liverpool]], and {{convert|15|mi}} east of the coastal town [[Blackpool]].

The current borders came into effect on 1 April 1974, when the [[Local Government Act 1972]] merged the existing [[County Borough of Preston]] with [[Fulwood Urban District]] as an unparished area within the [[Borough of Preston]]. Preston was designated as part of the [[Central Lancashire]] new town in 1970.

===Climate===

{{Panorama
 | image      = File:Preston skyline panorama.jpg
 |alt         = 
 | fullwidth  = 27255
 | fullheight = 875
 | caption    = A panoramic view of Preston, viewed from Penwortham Lane.
 | height     = 200
}}
The climate of Preston is of a temperate maritime type, with a narrow range of temperatures, similar to the rest of the British Isles. Being relatively close to the Irish sea, this is more pronounced than areas to the south and east of Preston. The official Met Office weather station is located at Moor Park, less than {{convert|1|mi}} north of the city centre, and surrounded by built-up areas, suggesting a degree of urban warming is likely, particularly during clear and calm nights.

The absolute high recorded at the weather station was {{convert|38.2|°C|°F|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=1990&indexid=TXx&stationid=1806
|title=August 1990 Maximum
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144848/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=1990&indexid=TXx&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> during July 2022. In a typical year the warmest day should reach {{convert|27.6|°C|°F|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TXx&stationid=1806
|title=1971–00 Annual average maximum
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=29 October 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029095614/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TXx&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> and 5.9 days<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=SU&stationid=1806
|title=Max >25c days
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144927/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=SU&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> in total should attain a maximum temperature of {{convert|25.1|°C|°F|abbr=on}} or more. In October 2011, a new record October high temperature of 26.9&nbsp;°C was set.<ref>{{cite news
 | url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/story-shorts-04-10-11-1-3835179
 | title=Hot weather breaks record
 | newspaper=Lancashire Evening Post
 | date=4 October 2011
| access-date=26 April 2012
| location=Preston
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927195741/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/story-shorts-04-10-11-1-3835179
 | archive-date=27 September 2013
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>

The absolute minimum is {{convert|-13.3|°C|°F|abbr=on}}, recorded during February 1969.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=8&year=1969&indexid=TNn&stationid=1806
|title=February 1969 minimum
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144927/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=8&year=1969&indexid=TNn&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> In a typical year the coldest night should fall to {{convert|-6.8|°C|°F|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TNn&stationid=1806
|title=1971–00 Average coldest night
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144853/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=TNn&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> and 40.2 nights<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=FD&stationid=1806
|title=1971–00 average frost
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144907/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=FD&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> should receive an air frost. The lowest temperature in recent years was {{convert|-9.2|°C|°F|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/dec/20/winter-weather-coldest-places-britain
|title=20 December 2010 minimum
|access-date=26 February 2011
|location=London
|work=The Guardian
|first=Simon
|last=Rogers
|date=21 December 2010
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144858/https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/dec/20/winter-weather-coldest-places-britain
|url-status=live
}}</ref> during December 2010.

Annual rainfall totals just under 1000&nbsp;mm per year,<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=RR&stationid=1806
|title=1971–2000 Rainfall
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=29 October 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029103224/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=RR&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> with over 1&nbsp;mm of precipitation falling on 150 days.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=RR1&stationid=1806
|title=1971–00 Wetdays
|access-date=26 February 2011
|archive-date=9 January 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144905/https://eca.knmi.nl/utils/calcdetail.php?seasonid=0&periodid=1971-2000&indexid=RR1&stationid=1806
|url-status=live
}}</ref> All averages refer to the period 1971–2000.

In October 2014 Preston was officially ranked "the wettest city in England", and third wettest in the UK behind [[Cardiff]] and [[Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/preston-is-officially-the-third-wettest-place-in-britain/ |title=Preston is officially the third WETTEST city or town in Britain |publisher=BlogPreston |author=Ed Walker |date=17 October 2014 |access-date=10 February 2020 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144852/https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/preston-is-officially-the-third-wettest-place-in-britain/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also ranked "the gloomiest city in England", as it gets fewer hours of sunshine in a year than any other English city or town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/preston-is-officially-englands-gloomiest-city/ |title=Preston is officially England's GLOOMIEST city |publisher=BlogPreston |author=Ed Walker |date=21 October 2014 |access-date=10 February 2020 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144852/https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/10/preston-is-officially-englands-gloomiest-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in March 2018 the [[Lancashire Evening Post]] reported that Preston has lost its "soggy city status" to the neighbouring city of [[Lancaster, Lancashire|Lancaster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/weather/preston-loses-its-soggy-city-status-lancashire-neighbour-313928 |title=Preston loses its soggy city status to Lancashire neighbour |publisher=Lancashire Evening Post |date=23 March 2018 |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144905/https://www.lep.co.uk/news/weather/preston-loses-its-soggy-city-status-lancashire-neighbour-313928 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 August 1893, approximately {{convert|32|mm|in}} of rain fell in Preston in 5 minutes, being a record for the most rainfall to fall in that time in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-extremes|title=UK climate extremes UK rainfall records for short durations |publisher=[[Met Office]]|access-date=3 July 2021 }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Preston Moor Park, elevation 33&nbsp;m, 1971–2000, extremes 1960–2005
|collapsed =
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan record high C = 14.1
|Feb record high C = 16.2
|Mar record high C = 22.2
|Apr record high C = 24.0
|May record high C = 27.3
|Jun record high C = 30.6
|Jul record high C = 38.2
|Aug record high C = 33.1
|Sep record high C = 26.8
|Oct record high C = 23.6
|Nov record high C = 18.4
|Dec record high C = 15.6
|year record high C = 33.1
|Jan high C = 6.9
|Feb high C = 7.3
|Mar high C = 9.4
|Apr high C = 12.0
|May high C = 15.6
|Jun high C = 17.7
|Jul high C = 19.8
|Aug high C = 19.5
|Sep high C = 16.8
|Oct high C = 13.4
|Nov high C = 9.7
|Dec high C = 7.7
|year high C = 13.0
|Jan low C = 1.7
|Feb low C = 1.9
|Mar low C = 3.1
|Apr low C = 4.5
|May low C = 7.1
|Jun low C = 10.0
|Jul low C = 12.2
|Aug low C = 12.1
|Sep low C = 9.9
|Oct low C = 7.3
|Nov low C = 4.0
|Dec low C = 2.4
|year low C = 6.4
|Jan record low C = −11.1
|Feb record low C = −13.3
|Mar record low C = −9.4
|Apr record low C = −4.5
|May record low C = −2.3
|Jun record low C = 0.6
|Jul record low C = 4.4
|Aug record low C = 2.8
|Sep record low C = −0.5
|Oct record low C = −5.2
|Nov record low C = −6.7
|Dec record low C = −12.8
|year record low C = −13.3
|Jan precipitation mm = 93.83
|Feb precipitation mm = 63.66
|Mar precipitation mm = 79.11
|Apr precipitation mm = 52.08
|May precipitation mm = 58.79
|Jun precipitation mm = 73.51
|Jul precipitation mm = 65.40
|Aug precipitation mm = 86.51
|Sep precipitation mm = 92.00
|Oct precipitation mm = 113.78
|Nov precipitation mm = 103.86
|Dec precipitation mm = 112.02
|year precipitation mm = 997.99
|Jan snow days = 2
|Feb snow days = 2
|Mar snow days = 1
|Apr snow days = 1
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 1
|Dec snow days = 2
|year snow days = 9
|source 1 = KNMI<ref>{{cite web
 | url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=**&indexid=**&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=0&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-461428.571429&miny=-4727380.952381&maxx=405238.095239&maxy=-4077380.952380&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom
 | title=Climate Normals 1971–2000
 | publisher=KNMI
 | access-date=26 February 2011
 | archive-date=1 January 2016
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101221941/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=**&indexid=**&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=0&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-461428.571429&miny=-4727380.952381&maxx=405238.095239&maxy=-4077380.952380&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom
 | url-status=live
}}{{full citation needed|date=November 2012}}<!--Reason: Unclear how to find the data from the URL supplied--></ref>
|date=February 2011
}}

== Religion ==
One of the proposed derivations of the city's name coming from 'Priests' town'. The lamb on the city shield is a biblical image of Jesus Christ, and the same image that represented 7th-century bishop [[St Wilfrid]], the city's patron saint who is historically linked to the city's establishment. The "PP" on the city shield stands for "Princeps Pacis" (Prince of Peace), another title for Christ invoking Him as protector of the city, though it is also often taken to stand for the city's nickname "Proud Preston". In fact, there were originally three letters "P" on the [[coat of arms]], with one being lost over time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preston.gov.uk/thecouncil/the-mayor/civic-regalia |title=Civic regalia, insignia and Mayoral chains |publisher=Preston City Council |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=14 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114154421/http://www.preston.gov.uk/thecouncil/the-mayor/civic-regalia/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 2001 Census recorded 72% of the population of the City of Preston as Christians, 10% as having no religion, and 8% as Muslims.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=deviated |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/30UK-A.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629181252/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/30UK-A.asp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date= 6 June 2006 |title=Census 2001 – Profiles – Preston |website=Office for National Statistics }}</ref> The Hindu and Sikh populations are smaller at 3% and 0.6% respectively, but in both cases this represents the highest percentage of any local authority area in the North West. 2% of the city's population were born in other EU countries. Though still small in number in Preston, the [[Latter-day Saints]] maintain a large profile.

Preston has places of worship for people of a wide variety of religions, including churches of many [[Christianity|Christian]] denominations. There are also places of worship for [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], [[Hinduism|Hindus]], [[Islam|Muslims]], the [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Latter-day Saints]], [[Sikhism|Sikhs]] and [[The Salvation Army]], amongst others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/preston|title=Preston|website=The Salvation Army |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115044210/https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/preston |archive-date= Jan 15, 2024 }}</ref> Preston was also home to an [[Ashkenazi|Ashkenazi Orthodox]] [[Jewish synagogue]] on Avenham Place, formed in 1882, but this closed during the mid-1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/preston/index.htm |title=Preston Synagogue & Jewish Community: Preston, Lancashire |publisher=JCR-UK |date=19 February 2013 |access-date=2 March 2013 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144932/https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/preston/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Mosque - geograph.org.uk - 1533743.jpg|thumb|Masjid-e-Noor on Noor Street]]
[[File:Front View of Jamea Masjid.gif|thumb|right|[[Jamea Masjid, Preston|Jamea Masjid]] close to Preston City Centre]]
Preston has a significant Muslim ([[Sunni]] Branch, particularly [[Hanafi]] school) population, the majority of which is of [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indian]] descent. The Muslim population is centred in the Deepdale, Riversway, Fishwick, Fulwood and Frenchwood areas. Preston has 12 mosques: five in Deepdale & St George's, one in Frenchwood, one in Riversway, two in Adelphi and three in Fishwick.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

===Church denominations===

A wide range of denominations are, or have been, represented in the city including: [[Latin Church]] Catholics, [[Baptist]], [[Christadelphian]], [[Congregational]], [[Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion]], [[Evangelical]], [[Methodist]], [[Pentecostal]], [[Presbyterian]], [[Swedenborgian]] and [[Wesleyan Methodist Church (Great Britain)|Wesleyan Methodist]]. The [[Society of Friends]] meet at the Preston Friends Meeting House at 189 St George's Road.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lancsquakers.org.uk/preston.php |title=Preston Quakers |access-date=21 May 2019 |archive-date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921165327/http://www.lancsquakers.org.uk/preston.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Preston has a strong Roman Catholic Christian history and tradition, recently noted by Archbishop Vincent Nichols in his Guild 2012 Mass Homily: "The history of the Christian and Catholic faith is long and deep here in Preston."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rcdow.org.uk/fileupload/upload/PrestonGuildMass39201234132.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 August 2013 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111636/http://www.rcdow.org.uk/fileupload/upload/PrestonGuildMass39201234132.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Preston lies in the Roman Catholic [[Diocese of Lancaster]] and the Anglican [[Diocese of Blackburn]]. There are at least 73 churches, chapels, missions and meeting houses, as well as 15 cemeteries and burial sites, for which records exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Preston/|title=GENUKI: Preston, Lancashire genealogy|work=genuki.org.uk|access-date=15 January 2012|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144912/https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Preston/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Carey Baptist Church, Preston|Carey Baptist Church]], on Pole Street, was built in 1826 for the Calvinistic Methodists of [[Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion|Lady Huntington]]. Formerly known as St Paul's Chapel, it was purchased by the Baptists in 1855. It is a Grade II listed building.<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1207315|desc= Carey Baptist Church, Preston|grade=II|access-date= 29 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Preston/Preston/carey/index.html|title=Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project – District of Preston|website=Lan-opc.org.uk}}</ref><!-- better sources available at the target article --> The church survives remains active in the community.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Preston was the location of the world's first foreign mission of the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (commonly known as the Mormons). As early as 1837 the first [[Mormon missionaries|Latter-day Saint missionaries]] to Great Britain began preaching in Preston and, in particular, other small towns situated along the River Ribble. Preston is home to the world's oldest continuous [[Branch (LDS Church)|branch]] (a small congregation) of the church.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lds.org.uk/media_news.php |title=Media Newsroom |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints |year=2007 |access-date=22 May 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070514193120/http://lds.org.uk/media_news.php |archive-date = 14 May 2007}}</ref> An official memorial to the church pioneers may be found in the Japanese Garden in Avenham Park. In 1998 the church erected a large temple at [[Chorley]], near Preston, described by [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] newspaper as "spectacular".<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1998/05/15/nmor15.html Mormons reveal secrets of the temple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020310124501/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=%2Farchive%2F1998%2F05%2F15%2Fnmor15.html |date=10 March 2002 }}. www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2008.</ref> The temple is officially known as the [[Preston England Temple]].

===Church buildings===
[[File: Preston City Minster.jpg |thumb|right|[[St John's Minster, Preston|St. John's Minster]] on Church Street]]
[[St John's Minster, Preston|St. John's Minster]], formerly the Church of St John the Evangelist and prior to the reformation; St Wilfrid's Parish Church, is located on Church Street, in the centre of the city. From its origin, it has been the parish church of Preston. The [[Church of St George the Martyr, Preston|church of St George the Martyr]], located on Georges Road, was founded in 1723.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Preston/StGeorgetheMartyr.shtml|title=GENUKI: St George the Martyr Church of England, Preston, Lancashire genealogy|work=genuki.org.uk|access-date=15 January 2012|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144925/https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Preston/StGeorgetheMartyr|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the many large active Roman Catholic parish churches is [[Church of St Thomas of Canterbury and the English Martyrs, Preston|St Thomas of Canterbury and the English Martyrs]], located on Garstang Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englishmartyrspreston.org.uk/|title=St John XXIII Parish Preston|work=englishmartyrspreston.org.uk|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502005839/http://www.englishmartyrspreston.org.uk/|archive-date=2 May 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Church of St Walburge.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|[[Church of St. Walburge, Preston|St. Walburge's Church]]]]

[[St Walburge's Church]], designed by [[Joseph Hansom]] of [[Hansom Cab]] fame, has, at {{convert|309|ft|0|abbr=}}, the tallest spire in England on a church that is not a cathedral and the third tallest in the UK.<ref name=StWalburges>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-visitor.com/preston/information.html|title=Guide to Preston|access-date=24 August 2007|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144950/http://www.cityvisitor.co.uk/preston/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2016, [[St Ignatius Church, Preston|St Ignatius Church]] in Preston, which had been gifted by the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster to the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic]] community, was raised to the status of a cathedral by [[Pope Francis]]. It now serves as the seat of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Great Britain]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pope creates new eparchy in Preston for Syro-Malabar Catholics|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/07/29/pope-creates-new-eparchy-in-preston-for-syro-malabar-catholics/|newspaper=Catholic Herald|access-date=30 July 2016|archive-date=30 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730160449/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/07/29/pope-creates-new-eparchy-in-preston-for-syro-malabar-catholics/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pope turns ex-Preston church into Indian Catholic cathedral|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-36913044|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210113015/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-36913044|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
{{see also|List of tallest buildings and structures in Preston}} 
[[File: Harris Museum Preston.jpg|thumb|The [[Harris Museum]]]]
There are many notable buildings dotted in and around the city centre including the [[Miller Arcade]], the Town Hall, the [[Harris Museum]]<!--I assume that was what was meant by previous version's "Harris Building"? Or do you mean the Avenham Institute?-->, the [[St John's Minster, Preston|Minster Church of St. John the Evangelist]] (formerly Preston Parish Church, elevated to Minster church status in June 2003), the former [[Corn Exchange, Preston|Corn Exchange and Public Hall]], [[St Wilfrid's Church, Preston|St. Wilfrid's Catholic Church]], Fishergate Baptist Church, and many beautiful Georgian buildings on [[Winckley Square]].<!-- comment out, pending cite: As well as Preston market the biggest open-air structure without centre supports in Europe.--> Many Catholic and Anglican parish churches are also to be found throughout the city. [[Preston (HM Prison)|HMP Preston]] is also a good example of a typical Victorian radial-design prison. Modern architecture is represented by the [[Preston Guild Hall|Guild Hall]] and [[Preston bus station]], which was featured on the 2012 [[World Monuments Fund]]'s list of sites at risk due to threats of demolition,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15180978 |title=Preston bus station on UK monument 'at risk' list |access-date=5 October 2011 |work=BBC News |date=5 October 2011 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144932/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-15180978 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmf.org/project/british-brutalism/ |title=British Brutalism-World Monuments Fund |access-date=5 October 2011 |archive-date=12 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012022751/http://www.wmf.org/project/british-brutalism |url-status=live }}</ref> before becoming Grade II listed.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:33%;"| Museums
! style="width:33%;"| Parks
! Nature reserves
|- valign="top"
|
*[[Harris Museum]] and Art Gallery
*[[Broughton, Lancashire|Broughton Cottage Museum]]
*[[Lancashire Infantry Museum]]
*[[Ribble Steam Railway]]
*[[Museum of Lancashire]]
|
*[[Avenham Park]]
*[[Ashton Park]]
*[[Moor Park, Preston|Moor Park]]
*[[Miller Park, Preston|Miller Park]]
*[[Ribbleton|Ribbleton Park]]
*[[Winckley Square]]
*Brookfield Park
*Conway Park
*Haslam Park
*Mill Lane Park
|
*[[Brockholes (nature reserve)]]
*Conway Park Woods
*Fishwick Nature Reserve
*Grange Valley
*Highgate Park Woods
*Hills and Hollows
*Mason's Wood
*Pope Lane Field and Boilton Wood
*Squire Andertons Wood
|}

===Listed buildings===
{{main|Listed buildings in Preston, Lancashire}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:25%;" {{Grade I colour}}| Grade I
! style="width:25%;" {{Grade II* colour}}| Grade II*
! colspan=2 {{Grade II colour}}| Grade II
|- valign="top"
|
*[[Harris Museum|Harris Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery]]
*[[Preston Cenotaph]]
*[[Church of St. Walburge, Preston|St Walburge's Church]]
|
*[[Arkwright House, Preston|Arkwright House]]
*[[Avenham Park]]
*The Bull and Royal Hotel
*Harris Institute
*[[Miller Park, Preston|Miller Park]]
*[[Moor Park, Preston|Moor Park]]
*[[Church of St George the Martyr, Preston|St George the Martyr's Church]]
*[[St Ignatius Church, Preston|St Ignatius Church]]
*[[St John's Minster, Preston|St John's Minster]]
*[[St Mark's Church, Preston|St Mark's Church]]
*[[St Michael and All Angels Church, Ashton-on-Ribble|St Michael and All Angels Church]]
*[[St Peter's Church, Preston, Lancashire|St Peter's Church]]
*[[St Wilfrid's Church, Preston|St Wilfrid's Church]]
*[[Sessions House, Preston|Sessions House]]
|
*[[All Saints Church, Preston|All Saints Church]]
*[[Preston bus station|Bus Station]]
*[[Carey Baptist Church, Preston|Carey Baptist Church]]
*[[Covered Market, Preston|Covered Market]] and Fish Market
*Deepdale Hall (former [[Preston Royal Infirmary|Royal Infirmary]])
*[[Emmanuel Church, Preston|Emmanuel Church]]
*[[Church of St Thomas of Canterbury and the English Martyrs, Preston|English Martyrs Church]]
*[[Fishergate Baptist Church]]
*Fishergate Bridge
*[[Miller Arcade]]
*[[City Church, Preston|North Road Pentecostal Church]]
*[[Penwortham Old Bridge]]
*Post Office, Birley Street
*[[Preston railway station]]
|
*[[Public Hall, Preston|Public Hall]] (Corn Exchange)
*[[Ribbleton railway station]]
*[[St Andrew's Church, Ashton-on-Ribble|St Andrew's Church]]
*St Augustine's Church portico and towers
*[[St Joseph's Church, Preston|St Joseph's Church]]
*[[St Luke's Church, Preston|St Luke's Church]]
*[[St Mary's Church, Preston|St Mary's Church]]
*[[St Paul's Church, Preston, Lancashire|St Paul's Church]]
*[[St Thomas' Church, Preston|St Thomas' Church]]
*Town Hall
*[[Tulketh Mill]]
*Windmill, Cragg's Row
and hundreds more<ref>[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/lancashire/preston Listed Buildings in Preston, Lancashire, England] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113220314/https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/lancashire/preston |date=13 January 2021 }}, retrieved 26 September 2013</ref>
|}

The chimney of the Grade II listed [[Tulketh Mill]] was designed by engineer Fred Dixon of Bolton for the Tulketh Spinning Company and dates from 1905. It has its own Grade II listing, the designation record describing it as "very tall, forms group with associated mill, both being very prominent landmarks to the north-west of the town".<ref>{{NHLE|num=1279845|desc=Chimney to Tulketh Mill|grade=II|access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Craggs Row Windmill Preston 20200323.jpg|The old windmill on Cragg's Row 
File:Tulketh_Mill_and_Chimney_20180806.jpg|[[Tulketh Mill]] and its chimney, as seen from the [[Lancaster Canal]]
File:Deepdale Hall Preston 20191023.jpg|Deepdale Hall
File:Inside Miller Arcade, Preston 20181226.jpg|The interior of [[Miller Arcade]] at Christmas
</gallery>

===Monuments and public artworks===
Preston has a number of notable monuments and public artworks, including:
* Obelisk: located opposite the Cenotaph on Preston's Market Square, the Obelisk dates back to 1782 and was originally installed for the Guild celebration of the same year.<ref>{{cite book |title=Preston City Centre Statue Trail |publisher=VisitPreston |page=3 |format=PDF |url=http://www.visitpreston.com/assets/legacy/getasset?id=fAA4ADQANwA4AHwAfABUAHIAdQBlAHwAfAAwAHwA0 |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144930/https://www.visitpreston.com/assets/legacy/getasset?id=fAA4ADQANwA4AHwAfABUAHIAdQBlAHwAfAAwAHwA0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Peace Gardens: located on Friargate, the gardens, designed by Graham Mort, originally housed the praying hands sculpture which now resides on Fylde Road.<ref>{{cite book |title=Preston City Centre Statue Trail |publisher=VisitPreston |page=2 |format=PDF |url=http://www.visitpreston.com/assets/legacy/getasset?id=fAA4ADQANwA4AHwAfABUAHIAdQBlAHwAfAAwAHwA0 |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144930/https://www.visitpreston.com/assets/legacy/getasset?id=fAA4ADQANwA4AHwAfABUAHIAdQBlAHwAfAAwAHwA0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Preston Martyrs' Memorial: located in front of the Corn Exchange in Lune Street, this sculpture marks the site of the [[Preston Strike of 1842|Lune Street Riots]] which occurred during the [[1842 general strike|1842 General Strike]], when troops opened fire on striking mills workers, killing four and injuring three.<ref>{{cite book |title=Preston City Centre Statue Trail |publisher=VisitPreston |page=1 |format=PDF |url=http://www.visitpreston.com/assets/legacy/getasset?id=fAA4ADQANwA4AHwAfABUAHIAdQBlAHwAfAAwAHwA0 |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144930/https://www.visitpreston.com/assets/legacy/getasset?id=fAA4ADQANwA4AHwAfABUAHIAdQBlAHwAfAAwAHwA0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Tom Finney#Death and legacy|''The Splash'']]: a sculpture of [[Tom Finney]], located in front of the [[Deepdale|Deepdale football stadium]]. The statue is based upon a famous photo taken of Finney in a game against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in 1956, which was named England's Sports Photograph of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitpreston.com/visit/things-to-do-in-preston/walksandtours/self-guidedwalks/preston-statues/ |title=Preston City Centre Statue Trail |publisher=VisitPreston |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144936/https://www.visitpreston.com/visit/things-to-do-in-preston/walksandtours/self-guidedwalks/preston-statues/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* A bronze [[Wallace & Gromit]] bench statue, with Wallace in ''[[The Wrong Trousers|Wrong Trousers]] and Gromit'' reading his newspaper on the bench, was erected in September 2021 at the south market hall entrance to the [[Covered Market, Preston|Covered Market]] to commemorate its creator [[Nick Park]], who originated from Preston.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-58516735|title=Wallace and Gromit: Creator Nick Park unveils comedy duo's Preston statue|date=10 September 2021|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jun/05/preston-wallace-and-gromit-statue-wrong-trousers-bench|title=It's a cracking statue, Gromit: Preston unveils 'wrong trousers' bench|work=The Guardian|date=5 June 2021}}</ref> Their archnemesis, Feathers McGraw, soon joined them when his statue was unveiled by Nick Park as part of the opening of the Animate extension in February 2025.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwywyl84v5eo| title = BBC: "Statue of Wallace and Gromit villain unveiled" 20 February 2025| date = 20 February 2025}}</ref>
* ''Cotton Reel'': designed by artist designed by Van Nong, this sculpture of a large cotton reel and needle is located in Avenham Road (between the city centre and Avenham Park) and commemorates the former Simpsons Gold Thread Works, which advanced the science of gold thread manufacture and from 1839 provided gold and silver thread for the military, royalty, cruise ships (including ''[[Titanic]]''), and [[freemasonry]].
* Landscape With Trees: designed by artist Clare Bigger, this series of four metre high stainless steel pylons of stylised trees is located in Friargate in the city centre.
<gallery>
File:Cotton Reel Preston 20200613.jpg|The ''Cotton Reel'' in Avenham Road
File:Tom_Finney_The_Splash_20180802.jpg|''The Splash'', depicting [[Tom Finney]], at [[Deepdale|Deepdale Stadium]]
File:Wallace and Gromit Preston 20211015.jpg|[[Wallace & Gromit]] bronze sculpture at the Preston Market Hall
File:Preston Martyrs Memorial (1 of 2) 20180830.jpg|Preston Martyrs' Memorial (the troops)
File:Preston Martyrs Memorial (2 of 2) 20180830.jpg|Preston Martyrs' Memorial (the victims)
</gallery>

==Economy==
Preston has seen many changes over the course of its history in regards to its local economy, shifting from a market town to the textile industry and more recently to tertiary education and research.

The city was home to [[Alstom]] Transport's main UK spare parts distribution centre (formerly [[GEC Traction|GEC Traction Ltd]]) until it transferred operations to [[Widnes]] in July 2018.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-41753242| publisher=BBC News| title=Rail firm Alstom to close historic Preston site after 120 years| date=25 October 2017| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144958/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-41753242| url-status=live}}</ref> [[Matalan]] Retail Ltd was also founded in Preston under the name Matalan Cash and Carry. Although the head office of Matalan moved to [[Skelmersdale]] in 1998, the city still has the tax office for the company (located in [[Winckley Square]]).

Goss Graphic Systems Limited, a global supplier of [[printing press]]es based in the United States, formerly employed more than 1,000 people in Preston, but in 2007 the company moved manufacturing to the United States, China and Japan and now has around 160 employees in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Goss-in-talks-to-axe.5109639.jp | title=Goss in talks to axe 60 more staff | first=David | last=Coates | work=[[Lancashire Evening Post]] | publisher=[[Johnston Press]] | date=25 March 2009 | access-date=5 April 2009 | archive-date=27 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327205905/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Goss-in-talks-to-axe.5109639.jp | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Unemployment in Preston rose 15% in the year up to April 2012 to a total of 3,783 claimants.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lancashire County Council, Unemployment core data, official unemployment and claimant count. |publisher=Lancashire County Council |url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/office_of_the_chief_executive/lancashireprofile/unemployment/core.asp#ccpr |url-status=dead |access-date=30 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415021115/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/office_of_the_chief_executive/lancashireprofile/unemployment/core.asp#ccpr |archive-date=15 April 2012 }}</ref> However, in November 2018 Preston was named as "Most improved city in UK", with unemployment down to 3.1% from 6.5% in 2014, and improvements above the national average for health, transport, the work-life balance of its residents, and for the skills among both the youth and adult populations.<ref>{{cite web|author=Partington|first=Richard|date=1 November 2018|title=Preston named as most improved city in UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/01/preston-named-as-most-most-improved-city-in-uk|url-status=live|access-date=15 February 2020|work=The Guardian|archive-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113063305/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/nov/01/preston-named-as-most-most-improved-city-in-uk}}</ref>

===Major employers===
Preston is a major centre of the British defence aerospace industry with [[BAE Systems]], the UK's principal military aircraft design, development and manufacture supplier, having its Military Aircraft headquarters located in nearby [[Warton, Fylde|Warton]]. The company has two of its major facilities located some miles on either side of the city. [[BAE Warton]] is located to the western side of the city whilst [[BAE Samlesbury]] is located to the east, over the [[M6 motorway]]. BAE Systems also operate large office facilities at the Portway area within the city and at The Strand office complex.

On 20 February 2006, the telecommunications retailer [[The Carphone Warehouse]] took over Tulketh Mill (formerly the home of the [[Littlewoods]] catalogue call centre) in the [[Ashton-on-Ribble]] area of the city. The building has undergone an extensive interior refurbishment and since March 2007 had been the workplace of some 800 employees. The site's main purpose was as a [[call centre]] for the broadband and [[landline]] services provider [[TalkTalk Group|TalkTalk]] as well as [[The Post Office]] and [[Student Loans Company]]. The site also housed call centres for [[Team Knowhow]] and [[Carphone Warehouse]] which are now part of [[Dixons Carphone]]. It was officially opened on 19 December 2006 by CEO [[Charles Dunstone]] and the Mayor of Preston. Following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], [[Dixons Carphone]] along with other tenants within Tulketh Mill, moved to a hybrid working solution (time split between working from home and working from the office), eventually moving to a permanent working from home solution and as of August 2022 [[Dixons Carphone]] no longer have any operations based in Tulketh Mill.

Due to Preston's location as a transport hub, sitting between the M6, M55, M65, and M61 it is home to several freight and haulage companies. Haulage supplier and operator James Hall and Co who supply produce for [[Spar (store)|Spar store]]s in the north of England have their head office – the biggest building in the city of Preston<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.preston-city.com/files/news/PCC%20Newsletter%20v4.pdf|title=Confirmation of Relocation|access-date=25 April 2007|archive-date=26 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070726062629/http://www.preston-city.com/files/news/PCC%20Newsletter%20v4.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> – located just off the M6 Junction 31a at Bowland View.

The [[Riversway]] area (in the [[Ashton-on-Ribble]] area of the city) is also home to the [[Preston Dock]]lands, once Europe's largest single dock basin, which has undergone redevelopment. Several office areas around the docks, along with significant residential presence. Several small businesses such as the [[The Football League|Football League]]'s LFE headquarters<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact LFE|url=http://www.lfe.org.uk/contact/contact-lfe|publisher=League Football Education|access-date=13 December 2011|year=2009|archive-date=3 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203005735/http://www.lfe.org.uk/contact/contact-lfe|url-status=dead}}</ref> are based in the area, together with Riversway Developments<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.riverswaydevelopments.co.uk | title=Riversway Developments | access-date=6 June 2021 | archive-date=9 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145012/http://www.riverswaydevelopments.co.uk/ | url-status=live }}</ref> who have been responsible for some of this redevelopment.

The financial sector also has a presence in the city with a large selection of consultancies, insurance and law firms based in [[Winckley Square]] in the city centre.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

The [[Westinghouse Electric Company]] (formerly [[BNFL]]) Springfields nuclear processing plant also lies to the west of the city boundary at [[Salwick]].

[[Skiddle]] is an event ticketing operation based in Preston since 2001, which claims to be the UK's largest what's on the guide.

===Retail===
[[File:Fishergate, weekday afternoon - geograph.org.uk - 1710853.jpg|thumb|Fishergate, Preston's main shopping district]]

Retail is also a major contributor to Preston's economy. The city's main high streets are Fishergate and Friargate which offer shops, bars and restaurants with many more tucked away down the side streets. Two major shopping centres are located along the high streets:
*[[Fishergate Shopping Centre]] – which had a [[Debenhams]] department store (closed May 2021)
*[[St George's Shopping Centre (Preston)|St George's Shopping Centre]] (formerly ''The Mall Preston'') – a popular centrally located shopping mall dating from the 1960s.

Preston is also home to the historic [[Covered Market, Preston|Covered Market and Fishmarket]]. In 2016 these sites were redeveloped, and the old covered market now contains the new Market Hall and the Outdoor and Secondhand Markets, and the old fish market now contains the Box Market, a unique shopping space consisting of upgraded shipping containers. Market vendors sell fresh and local quality meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, other hot and cold food to eat in or take away, as well as brewed ales and artisan coffee. The markets are open Monday–Saturday, and on Tuesdays a [[car boot sale]] operates from the Outdoor Market.<ref name=PrestonMarkets>{{cite web| url=https://www.prestonmarkets.co.uk/| publisher=Preston Markets| title=Preston Markets| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145000/https://www.visitpreston.com/visit/shopping/preston-markets/| url-status=live}}</ref>

Also in the city centre is the [[Miller Arcade]], a specialist shopping centre in a listed building (which formerly included a [[Victorian Turkish baths]]), is situated off Fishergate near the [[Harris Museum]].

The first [[KFC]] outlet in the UK was opened on Fishergate in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Business|url=http://www.kfcdevelopment.co.uk/aboutus.aspx|work=KFC Development|publisher=Kentucky Fried Chicken|access-date=13 December 2011|year=2008|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421023716/http://www.kfcdevelopment.co.uk/aboutus.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The Flag Market is the home of fast food provider Spud Bros. They are based at the Hot Potato Tram which has been serving up [[baked potato]]es and [[Black peas|parched peas]] to Preston visitors since 1955.<ref>https://www.lep.co.uk/news/meet-the-spud-brothers-who-are-taking-over-preston-one-jacket-potato-at-a-time-4489674</ref>

A number of large retail shopping centres can be found in Preston's suburbs and surrounding towns, including:

*Deepdale Shopping park, on the A5085 Blackpool Road on the northern edge of the city, has over 30 major stores Free parking is provided for over 1,000 cars.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.deepdaleshoppingpark.com/| title=Deepdale Shopping Park| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145031/https://www.google.com/maps/place/Deepdale+Shopping+Park/@53.7741999,-2.6787,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x487b0d0200326285:0x83b6dae280d435c2!8m2!3d53.7741999!4d-2.6765113?hl=en&shorturl=1| url-status=live}}</ref>
*Riversway Retail Park, located off the A583 Riversway at [[Ashton-on-Ribble]]. Free parking is provided.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.the-shops.co.uk/PR2/preston/| publisher=The Shops| title=List of shops in Preston (PR2)| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144951/https://www.the-shops.co.uk/PR2/preston/| url-status=live}}</ref>
*Capitol Centre Retail Park on the A6 London Way just outside the city boundary at [[Walton-le-Dale]], in the neighbouring borough of [[South Ribble]]. The centre has over 20 major stores. Free car parking is provided along with a bus interchange.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://capitolcentre.waltonledale.co.uk/| title=Capital Centre Walton-le-Dale| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144954/http://capitolcentre.waltonledale.co.uk/| url-status=live}}</ref>
*South Rings Business Park is located several miles outside Preston, off the A6 at [[Bamber Bridge]], near the intersection of the M6, M65 and M61 motorways. Free car parking is provided.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://capitolcentre.waltonledale.co.uk/south-rings/| title=Capital Centre Walton-le-Dale| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145015/http://capitolcentre.waltonledale.co.uk/south-rings/| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Education and research===
The [[University of Central Lancashire]] ("UCLan ") has become a major employer and source of economic growth not just for Preston in recent years, but for Lancashire as a whole, providing direct and indirect benefits to the local economy through employment, housing and retail.

The Regeneris Report commissioned by the [[Lancashire County Council]] in 2013/14 found that UCLan:
* contributed over £200m to the North West economy
* was one of the largest employers in Preston and supported an estimated 4,300 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs in the North West through its core economic footprint and through the expenditure of students
* with 36,160 students was the largest university in Lancashire and the third-largest in the North West, with the 9th largest undergraduate population of all UK universities
* graduates add on average £24m to the North West economy per annum through increased skills and productivity<ref name=UCLanRegeneris>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/report_highlights_uclans_importance_to_regional_economy.php| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=Report Highlight's UCLan'S Importance To Regional Economy| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144957/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news| url-status=live}}</ref>

In terms of direct economic benefits, in 2013/14 UCLan:
* directly employed 3,290 staff 
* spent £15 million on suppliers based throughout Lancashire and the wider North West area
* had 18,390 full-time students residing in the North West who spent a total of £210m throughout the region, with £155m of that being spent in Lancashire.<ref name=UCLanRegeneris />

In 2015, UCLan announced its intention to create historic and transformational change at its Preston Campus through a £200 million development programme entitled '''Campus Masterplan 2020'''. UCLan's vision over the next five years is to create a unified, sustainable and welcoming campus which will enhance the experience for all those visiting the university.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://uclanmasterplan.co.uk/| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=Campus Masterplan 2020| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144955/https://uclanmasterplan.co.uk/| url-status=live}}</ref> The long-term vision is to spark a major focus on regeneration and business investment in the university quarter, reinforce the university's ties to the local community and create wider benefits for Preston and beyond.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://uclanmasterplan.co.uk/our-vision/| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=Campus Masterplan 2020 – Our Vision| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144955/https://uclanmasterplan.co.uk/our-vision/| url-status=live}}</ref>

September 2019 saw the opening of the £35 million Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC), a facility with integrated teaching and research space.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/about_us/| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=About Us| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145014/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/about-us| url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:UCLan_Gateway_20200212.jpg|thumb|Construction of [[University of Central Lancashire|UCLan]]'s new student centre and public square]]
[[File:University Square Preston 20211113.jpg|thumb|The newly opened Student Centre and University Square]]

Also under development is the £57 million Student Centre and public square, which will provide a new campus reception building housing several student services, meeting rooms, office space, event venues and a rooftop garden. The new public square, provisionally known as ''Adelphi Square'', will span over 8,400 square metres<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/flagship-project.php| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=University's flagship project will complete in 2020| date=27 August 2019| access-date=12 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145017/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news| url-status=live}}</ref> and will be constructed in front of the new student centre and opposite the EIC, on empty land that was previously the site of the Fylde Building and public land bought by UCLan from the council. The project has seen the demolition of existing housing in St Peter's Square opposite the UCLan Library and St Peter's Arts Centre, and redevelopment of the A583 and other nearby public roadways, including the Adelphi roundabout, which will result in revised traffic flows. Construction commenced in the third quarter of 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2021.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://uclanmasterplan.co.uk/highways/| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=Campus Masterplan 2020 – Highways| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145026/https://uclanmasterplan.co.uk/highways/| url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 July 2021 UCLan officially took ownership of the new Student Centre and University Square (which had provisionally been known as Adephi Square) when a ceremonial key was presented to the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Baldwin, by the project's major contractor [[Bowmer + Kirkland]]. The building became operational in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/uclan-takes-ownership-of-60-million-student-centre-and-university-square |title=UCLan takes ownership of £60 million Student Centre and University Square |publisher=University of Central Lancaster |date=30 July 2021 |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

As UCLan increases in the global rankings,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/uclan-cwur-rankings-2017.php| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=UCLan Listed In Top 3.3% Of Universities Worldwide| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144958/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/news| url-status=live}}</ref> it continues to attract more international students, researchers and Fellows, as well as partnerships with international learning institutions. It is anticipated that further economics benefits from increased foreign investment and business opportunities should entail.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.economist.com/international/2018/05/19/how-global-university-rankings-are-changing-higher-education| publisher=The Economist| title=How global university rankings are changing higher education| date=19 May 2019| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144955/https://www.economist.com/international/2018/05/19/how-global-university-rankings-are-changing-higher-education| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Proposed developments===
An £800 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/travel/800-million-plan-could-cause.3805457.jp|title=£800 million plan could cause more traffic chaos|access-date=22 February 2008|archive-date=27 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227161152/http://www.lep.co.uk/travel/800-million-plan-could-cause.3805457.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref> regeneration project known as the [[Preston Tithebarn redevelopment|Tithebarn Project]] was also planned for Preston. The project was originally managed by property giants [[Grosvenor Group|Grosvenor]] and [[Lendlease]], Grosvenor withdrew from the project,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/-700m-Tithebarn-project-hit.5739827.jp|title=Tithebarn Project Hit by Grosvenor Withdrawal|access-date=9 April 2010|archive-date=19 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019120339/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/-700m-Tithebarn-project-hit.5739827.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref> followed a few years later by Lendlease. The project was dependent upon a number of requirements (such as the re-location of the current [[Preston bus station|bus station]], which would cost at least £25million, and be funded largely by the taxpayer).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/bus_station_s_soaring_cost_1_767368|title=Soaring Cost of Replacing Bus Station|access-date=14 May 2010|archive-date=18 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518121551/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/bus_station_s_soaring_cost_1_767368|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2011, it was announced that [[John Lewis & Partners|John Lewis]], who were originally intended to be the major flagship store of the Tithebarn development had also withdrawn from the project, effectively killing it.<ref>{{cite news
 | url=http://www.lep.co.uk/community/john-lewis-pull-out-of-preston-revamp-1-3931003
 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420220742/http://www.lep.co.uk/community/john-lewis-pull-out-of-preston-revamp-1-3931003
 | url-status=dead
 | archive-date=20 April 2013
 | title=John Lewis pull out of Preston revamp
 | newspaper=[[Lancashire Evening Post]]
 | date=17 November 2011
 | access-date=26 April 2012
 | location=Preston
}}</ref> The council is now exploring more piecemeal ways of bringing in development<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/top-developer-is-still-in-the-frame-video-1-4490384|title=Top developer is still in the frame – VIDEO|work=lep.co.uk|access-date=30 April 2012|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414081620/https://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/top-developer-is-still-in-the-frame-video-1-4490384|url-status=dead}}</ref> and former [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour leader]] [[Jeremy Corbyn]] praises Preston for its "inspiring innovation".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/preston-hit-rock-bottom-took-back-control|title=In 2011 Preston hit rock bottom. Then it took back control.|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=31 January 2018|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145014/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/preston-hit-rock-bottom-took-back-control|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since city status was awarded in 2002, Preston has been targeted by a number of developers. Residential developments were particularly popular with new apartments planned in and around the city centre. Many of these developments however are still struggling to find buyers for these apartments, and there are rising numbers of repossessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Preston-The-city-of-ghosts.6205139.jp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409072212/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Preston-The-city-of-ghosts.6205139.jp|archive-date=9 April 2010|title=Preston: City Of Ghosts|date=6 April 2010|access-date=26 February 2012}}</ref> Office and hotel space is also in demand and a new Central Business District is being planned as well as a number of new hotels.

===Culture and music ===
In September 2024 Moor Park in the city was the venue for ''[[Radio 2 in the Park]]'', with guest artists including [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Sister Sledge]], [[Manic Street Preachers]] and the [[Pet Shop Boys]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e89j6q|title=Radio 2 in the Park 2024|website=BBC Music Events}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/bbc-radio-2-park-gets-29891411|title=Radio 2 in the Park has a flying start – but there's something different here|first=Greta|last=Simpson|date=8 September 2024|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>

==Transport==
The Guild Wheel is a [[public footpath]] and cycle route, created in 2012 in celebration of the [[#Guild Merchant|Preston Guild]] and officially opened in August of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=5989&pageid=34335|title=Guild Wheel – Welcome|work=lancashire.gov.uk|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225235549/http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=5989&pageid=34335|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{convert|21|mi}} in length, it encircles Preston, linking the city to the countryside and surrounding villages.<ref name="Guild Wheel">{{cite web|last=Baines|first=Becky|title=Miss|url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=5989&pageid=34335|publisher=Lancashire County Counvil|access-date=22 May 2014|archive-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225235549/http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=5989&pageid=34335|url-status=dead}}</ref> Walking and cycling on the pathway along the banks of the [[Lancaster Canal]] is popular among the city's residents and visitors.

The nearest airports from Preston with scheduled service are [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] and [[Manchester Airport]], about {{convert|40|mi|km}} south-west and south-east of the city respectively. Manchester Airport is linked by a direct rail service operated by [[TransPennine Express]]. [[Blackpool Airport]], approximately {{convert|16|mi|km}} to the west of Preston, provides facilities for private aviation and [[charter flight]]s. Although not a public airport, [[Warton Aerodrome]] is an active airfield west of the city and is the airfield for the [[BAE Systems Military Air & Information|BAE Warton factory]]. [[BAE Samlesbury]] to the east of the town was an active aerodrome, with a [[gliding]] club, but today serves as a facility for [[BAE Systems]] and no longer supports flying activities.

===Rail===
{{main|Preston railway station}}
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[[File: Preston railway station - geograph.org.uk - 5974936.jpg |thumb|Preston Railway Station]]
Preston has a long history with the railways. [[Preston railway station]] opened in 1838 and has since been rebuilt and extended several times. It is a major stop on the [[West Coast Main Line]] between [[London]] and [[Scotland]]. It also provides for local services around Preston as well as regional services to the [[The Fylde|Fylde Coast]], [[Cumbria]] and the [[Lake District]], and various towns and cities in [[Lancashire]], [[Merseyside]] and [[Yorkshire]].

The station has nine (9) platforms, eight (8) of which are in public use, and access is provided for the mobility-impaired. Facilities include:
* Staffed ticket office (limited hours) and self-service ticket machines
* Cafes and news agency
* Lost property office
* Toilets
* Waiting lounges
* Taxi rank
* Bus stop (near by)

The station is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is managed by [[Avanti West Coast]]. For local passenger services outside the city boundaries, there are also stations at [[Bamber Bridge]] and [[Lostock Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/pre.aspx |title=Stations & On Train |publisher=National Rail |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

The lines to [[West Lancashire Railway|Southport]] and [[Preston and Longridge Railway|Longridge]] closed to passengers in 1965 and 1930 respectively. The disused tracks of the Longridge line are extant as far as [[Deepdale, Preston|Deepdale]]. In 2010 plans were put forward to use part of this line for a demonstration tram system.<ref>(26 March 2010), [http://www.lep.co.uk/news/tram_system_demo_could_be_in_place_soon_1_752372 "Tram system demo could be in place soon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234209/https://www.lep.co.uk/news/tram_system_demo_could_be_in_place_soon_1_752372 |date=13 June 2018 }}, ''Lancashire Evening Post'', Preston. Retrieved 4 August 2011</ref>

==== Current routes and operators ====
As at May 2022 the station is serviced by the following rail operators providing passenger services on the following routes:

* Avanti West Coast: provides regular services between:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/where-we-go/our-routes/our-route-map |title=Avanti West Coast Network |publisher=Avanti West Coast |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
** [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and [[Blackpool North railway station|Blackpool]] via [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]] or [[Nuneaton railway station|Nuneaton]]
** London Euston and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] via Birmingham
** London Euston and [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow]] via Birmingham or Nuneaton
* [[Caledonian Sleeper]]: an overnight [[Sleeping car|sleeper service]] operating between London to Scotland; only the ''Highland Sleeper'' stops at Preston (the ''Lowland Sleeper'' is express to and from [[Carlisle]]). Northbound services operates from Euston station in London to [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Waverley station]] in Edinburgh, where the train divides into three different trains for the final destinations of [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]], [[Fort William railway station|Fort William]] and [[Inverness railway station|Inverness]]. Southbound services are the reverse, whereby the three trains come together at Edinburgh and continue south to London as one.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
* [[Northern Trains]]: provides regular services to many destinations in the North including:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/network-map |title=Rail Network Map |publisher=Northern |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
** [[Blackpool North railway station|Blackpool North]] via [[Poulton-le-Fylde railway station|Poulton-le-Fylde]]
** [[Blackpool South railway station|Blackpool South]] via [[Lytham railway station|Lytham]]
** [[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]] via [[Barrow-in-Furness railway station|Barrow in Furness]]
** [[Colne railway station|Colne]] via [[Blackburn railway station|Blackburn]], [[Burnley Central railway station|Burnley Central]]
** [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]]) via [[Wigan North Western railway station|Wigan]]
** [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester Piccadilly]] or [[Manchester Victoria railway station|Manchester Victoria]] via [[Bolton railway station|Bolton]]
** [[Morecambe railway station|Morecambe]] via [[Lancaster railway station|Lancaster]]
** [[Ormskirk railway station|Ormskirk]] via [[Croston railway station|Croston]]
** [[Windermere railway station|Windermere]] via [[Kendall railway station|Kendal]]
** [[York railway station]] via [[Blackburn railway station|Blackburn]], [[Hebden Bridge railway station|Hebden Bridge]], [[Bradford Interchange]], [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]]
** [[TransPennine Express]]: provides regular services between:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travelling-with-us/routes |title=Routes |publisher=TransPennine Express |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>
** [[Manchester Airport railway station|Manchester Airport]] and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]] via [[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]]
** Manchester Airport and [[Glasgow Central railway station|Glasgow]] via Carlisle

==== Former stations ====
Although Preston is now only served by its main railway station, in the preceding decades there were a number of other stations which have since closed (and many demolished). The following is a list of former stations which were located within the boundaries of the current day [[City of Preston, Lancashire|City of Preston]]:{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

* [[Barton & Broughton railway station|Barton & Broughton]]
* Butler Street (goods only)
* [[Deepdale railway station|Deepdale (Bridge)]]
* [[Deepdale Street railway station|Deepdale Street]]
* [[Preston Fishergate Hill railway station|Fishergate Hill]]
* [[Grimsargh railway station|Grimsargh]]
* Grimsargh WHR (separate station for the Whittingham Hospital railway)
* [[Lea Road railway station|Lea Road]]
* [[Maudland Bridge railway station|Maudland Bridge]]
* [[Maudlands railway station|Maudlands]]
* [[Maxwell House railway station|Maxwell House]]
* {{rws|Oxheys}} (goods only, serviced Oxheys Cattle Market)
* [[Ribbleton railway station|Ribbleton]]
* Whittingham Hospital

==== New stations ====
In December 2020, the Lancashire County Council approved a proposal to construct a new station in [[Lea, Lancashire|Lea]] west of the city, to service new housing estates being built in the area. The proposed station will be located near the site of the former Lea Road station which closed in 1938. Although a timeline is yet to be established and construction yet to begin, government funding of £22.3M (along with local funding of £21.M) is conditional that it must be spent by 2023.<ref name=LEP_LS>{{cite web |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/transport/new-preston-suburban-railway-station-moves-step-closer-3057903 |title=New Preston suburban railway station moves a step closer |publisher=Lancashire Evening Post  |author=Paul Faulkner |date=5 December 2020 |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>

==== Preston Dock branch line ====
With the industrialisation of Preston in the 19th century a branch line was built in 1846 from Preston's mail station to carry goods to and from [[Victoria Quay, Preston|Victoria Quay]] on the River Ribble. With the opening of the Albert Edward Basin and the new [[Preston Dock]] in 1892, the number and length of tracks increased and at their peak grew to over 25 miles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prestonstation.org.uk/Docks.html |title=Preston Dock |publisher=Preston Station Past and Present |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

With the closure of the docks in 1981 and its subsequent redevelopment, most of the tracks were removed and now only a small section remains, used by the [[Ribble Steam Railway]] (RSR) and for [[bitumen]] trains operating to and from the [[TotalEnergies|Total]] [[refinery]] at the Riversway industrial park.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ribblesteam.org.uk/news/ribble-steam-railway-and-preston-docks/ |title=Ribble Steam Railway and Preston Docks |publisher=Ribble Steam Railway and Museum |access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

A single station, [[Preston Riverside railway station|Preston Riverside]], is operated by the RSR for its heritage rail trips.

===Water===
====River Ribble====
{{main|River Ribble}}
[[File:Preston Riversway Docks.jpg|thumb|The [[River Ribble]], with the dock entrance to the left]]
The River Ribble has a length of approximately {{convert|75|mi|km}}, originating near the [[Ribblehead Viaduct]] in [[North Yorkshire]], flowing westward and passing through Preston and entering the [[Irish Sea]] at the [[Ribble and Alt Estuaries]] near [[Lytham]], approximately {{convert|11.5|mi|km}} to the west of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=The River Ribble and Its Tributaries |url=https://ribbletrust.org.uk/our-rivers/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Ribble Rivers Trust |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The Ribble has played an important role in the history of Preston. Archaeological evidence confirms human settlement along its banks going back to [[Neolithic]] times, as well as the [[Saxon]] and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] eras. The river was already a trading port by [[medieval]] times, increasing in use and importance in conjunction with the industrialisation of Preston, until the closure of the Port of Preston in 1981.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

The river suffers from an on-going issue of [[sedimentation]], and was regularly [[Dredging|dredged]] downstream of Preston while the city had an active port. Since dredging operations ceased, [[silt]] from the river is now spreading more widely over the beaches of its estuary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welsby |first=J. |last2=Motyka |first2=J. M. |date=April 1989 |title=A Macro Review of the Coastline of England and Wales Volume 8. The North West. The Great Orme to the Solway Firth. |url=https://eprints.hrwallingford.com/241/1/SR207.pdf |website=Hydraulics Research Wallingford |format=PDF |edition=Report SR 207}}</ref>

====Preston Dock====
{{main|Preston Dock}}
Preston Dock was a former [[Dock (maritime)|maritime dock]] located on the northern bank of the River Ribble approximately {{convert|1.6|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of the city centre. It was the location of the Port of Preston at the Albert Edward Basin which opened in 1892 and is connected to the river by a series of [[Lock (water navigation)|locks]]. The dock provided a [[port]] for shipping and ferry operations until its closure in 1981.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Records show that Preston was already a trading port by the 12th century and from around the mid-14th century ships would come up the river to unload and shelter in a natural basin known in its time as 'Preston Anchorage', where the Moor Brook joined the Ribble. In 1806 the Ribble Navigation Company was formed, and construction of the New Quays wharf (later renamed Victoria Quay) commenced a few years later further downstream along the section of the river where Marsh Lane joined Strand Road.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Sedimentation and the shallowness of the Ribble limited access to Victoria Quay to when the tide was high, and it was proposed that the river be diverted and an artificial tidal basin created whose water level could be controlled to allow 24-hour loading and unloading operations. In 1884 diversion of the Ribble began along with and the excavation of the what was to be the Albert Edward Basin along its northern bank, and in June 1892 the new Preston Dock was opened. However, the on-going issue of sedimentation required constant dredging of the Ribble and along with loss of trade to large ports around the country, the docks never returned a profit, leading to their closure in October 1981.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Redevelopment of the former docks began in 1985 and continued through to 1992. Renamed ''Riversway'', the first of the new retail and industrial estates, along with new roads, were opened in July 1987. Development of residential housing commenced in 1989, with the new estate along the basin's southern shore named Victoria Quay after the earlier docks.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

These days, the Albert Edward basin is used only for leisure activities, is home to many waterbirds. A public marina is located on its northwestern end, and access to and from the River Ribble is provided through the basin's original locks, operated by the Preston City Council; operating times are seasonal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prestonmarina.co.uk/index.php/lock-gates/ |title=Lock Gate Opening Times |publisher=Preston Marina |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

====Lancaster Canal====
{{main|Lancaster Canal}}
[[File:Narrowboat_Lancaster_Canal_Preston_20180806.jpg|thumb|A [[narrowboat]] on the [[Lancaster Canal]] at [[Ashton-on-Ribble]]]]
The [[Lancaster Canal]] runs from Preston to [[Kendal]] in [[Cumbria]]. It was originally planned to join the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]] at [[Westhoughton]] and while the section north to near [[Chorley]] was built, the section south from Preston was never built. Instead, a "temporary" bridge – which still stands today – was constructed over the Ribble near Avenham Park, and a tramway operated from 1803 to [[Walton Summit]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

From 1820 [[packet boat]]s carried passengers between Preston and Kendal, providing faster journeys than the stagecoaches of the day, and by 1833 travel time had been reduced to seven hours. From the 1930s leakage problems caused sections of the canal, now owned by the [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway|LMS Railway]], around Kendal to be closed to public traffic. However, the canal remained navigable to coal traffic from Preston to the Kendal Gas Works until 1944, but in 1955 the whole canal was closed to all traffic by an Act of Parliament. Subsequently, sections of the canal were filled in, later to be re-opened as interest in the canal returned, and currently, {{convert|42|mi|km|1}} of the canal from Preston to [[Tewitfield]] near [[Carnforth]] is open to navigation.<ref name=BP_PLC>{{cite web |url=https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2021/08/prestons-lost-canal-drunk-on-the-packet-boats/ |title=Preston's lost canal, drunk on the packet boats |publisher=Blog Preston |author=Geoffrey Whittaker |date=1 August 2020 |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

At Preston the canal originally terminated at a large boat basin located in the city centre between Marsh Lane and the A59 Ring Road, on the western side of Corporation Street. An aqueduct carried the canal from its current terminus on the northern side of Aqueduct Street in at [[Ashton-on-Ribble]], past the former [[Maudlands railway station]], paralleling the eastern side of the railway to the basin, where railway tracks, long since removed, provided access originally to Victoria Quay and later to the new Preston Dock. Following the [[Second World War]], as many industries around Preston closed, this section of the canal became derelict and in the 1960s it was filled in and a new terminus with mooring facilities built at Ashton. The land through which the canal ran is now the campus of the University of Central Lancashire, with the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre located over the former boat slip, and the site of the boat basin now a small retail mall with an [[Aldi]] supermarket.<ref name=BP_PLC/>

Originally the canal was isolated from the River Ribble, but this changed in 2002 with the opening of the [[Ribble Link]].

====Ribble Link====
{{main|Ribble Link}}
Opened in July 2002, the Ribble Link is a navigation [[waterway]] built along a section of the [[Savick Brook]] that connects the previously isolated Lancaster Canal to the River Ribble. Featuring a series of [[Lock (water navigation)|locks]], the Link allows narrowboats and other small watercraft to transit between the two waterways.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

The Link is approximately {{convert|4|mi|km}} in length, starting from the Lancaster Canal near [[Ingol]] and entering the Ribble (as the Savick Brook) south of [[Lea, Lancashire|Lea Gate]]. There are eight (8) locks in total, permitting boats up to {{convert|62|ft|m}} length and {{convert|10|ft|6|in|m}} in width to navigate its course.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Unlike a canal, vessels are not free to travel in either direction at any time. Traffic flow is controlled so that the Link can only be navigated in a specific direction on alternate days. The Link is only open for approximately 90 days between April and October, and is used by approximately 200 boats a year.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

The Link is operated by the [[Canal & River Trust]] and requires annual dredging to remain navigable.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

====Proposed developments====
In 2006 the Preston City Council, in conjunction with the [[South Ribble Borough Council]], proposed a major development estimated at £800 million to redevelop the city's docks and large sections of the River Ribble. Known as ''Riverworks'', the plan proposed new leisure facilities (watersports), landmark buildings, a new central park opposite [[Avenham Park]], office and retail space, new residential developments and the re-opening of some of Preston's old canal with new facilities for a "park and boat ride" scheme. The proposal met with considerable resistance from the local community (with 74% of residents objecting) and leisure and environmental groups due to the potential loss of green space, impact upon ecosystems (especially fish populations) and increased risk of flooding resulted in protests and campaigns being organised to have the project cancelled.<ref>{{cite web| title=Flood plain housing plan slammed| work=Lancashire Evening Post, 30 June 2007| url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news?articleid=2995255| access-date=1 July 2007| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144945/https://www.lep.co.uk/news| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/757438.river-plan-protest-walk/ |title=River Plan Protest Walk |publisher=Lancashire Telegraph |author=Emma Mayoh |date=11 May 2006 |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

In December 2007 the Preston City Council pulled out of a major part of the Riversworks plan, the highly contentious [[barrage (dam)|Ribble Barrage]], and stated the revised plan would only look at improving Preston Docklands (in particular, the on-going blue green algae problem) and extending the Lancaster Canal from its current terminus at [[Ashton-on-Ribble|Ashton]] into the city at the back of the University of Central Lancashire (near the site of the former boat basin which was filled in prior to the construction of the current campus).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1880448.council-pulls-out-of-ribble-barrage-plan/ |title=Council Pulls Out of Ribble Barrage Plan |publisher=Lancashire Telegraph |author=Andrew Greaves |date=4 December 2007 |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

A subsequent change in council's ''Sustainable Community Strategy'', especially in regards to ''Environmental'', ''Health and Well-being'' and  ''People and Communities'' policies and targets, resulted in a ban on development on green belt land, and along with city's new Local Plan, the remaining (re)development proposals within the Riverworks plan were abandoned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/displayFile.asp?FTYPE=D&FILEID=25856 |title=Preston Community Strategy 2009–2012 |publisher=Preston Strategic Partnership |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020081128/http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/displayFile.asp?FTYPE=D&FILEID=25856 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.preston.gov.uk/media/1952/Preston-s-Local-Plan/pdf/Preston-Local-Plan-2012-2026-_(8).pdf?m=637056240884300000 |title=Preston Local Plan 2012–2026 |publisher=Preston City Council |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

===Roads===
[[File:PrestonCityCentre.jpg|thumb|North Road approaches the city centre from the north]]
[[File:Motorway - geograph.org.uk - 260605.jpg|thumb|right|The [[M6 motorway|M6 Motorway]] at Junction 29]]
{{main|Transport in Preston}}
The [[Preston By-pass]], opened 5 December 1958, became the first stretch of motorway in the UK and is now part of the [[M6 motorway|M6]] with a short section now forming part of the [[M55 motorway|M55]]. It was built to ease traffic congestion caused by tourists travelling to the popular destinations of [[Blackpool]] and [[Lake District|The Lake District]]. The first [[traffic cones]] were used during its construction, replacing red lantern paraffin burners.

In the 1980s, a motorway around the west of the city which would have been an extension of the [[M65 motorway|M65]] to the [[M55 motorway|M55]] was started but never finished. Originally, the [[M55 motorway|M55]] had no junction 2, because it was reserved for this new western bypass; however the construction of junction 2 began in 2019 and will create a link with the [[A583 road|A583]], close to the [[Riversway Docklands]], in order to alleviate traffic on the M55 and the A6 at the Broughton Interchange to the north of Preston. The project is known as the Preston Western Distributor. The [[M6 motorway|M6]] between junctions 30 and 32 was widened extensively between 1993–95 to compensate. Junction 31A which has only a northbound exit and a southbound entry opened in 1997 to serve a nearby business park. Other motorways terminating close to the city are the [[M61 motorway|M61]] – Preston to [[Manchester]] via [[Chorley]] and [[Bolton]],
the [[M65 motorway|M65]] – Preston to [[Colne]] via [[Blackburn]], [[Accrington]] and [[Burnley]] and the [[M55 motorway|M55]] – Preston to [[Blackpool]] via [[Kirkham, Lancashire|Kirkham]].

Preston has several Taxi, Private Hire and Cab Companies serving Preston and surrounding Villages, including Millers, Uber and [http://www.allprestontaxis.co.uk|All Preston Taxis]

In conjunction with car parking facilities at the bus station, local services operate to and from two [[Preston Park & Ride|park and rides]] located on the outskirts of the city to minimise private vehicular traffic in the city centre; one at Portway in the [[Riversway]] area, and the other off the [[A6 road (England)|A6]] at [[Walton-le-Dale]].

[[File:Preston bus station 232-26.jpg|thumb|[[Preston bus station]]]]
Local, regional and national bus services operate from the [[Preston bus station]], which is located on the southeast edge of the city centre off the A59 and claimed by some residents to be the largest or second largest station in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/opinion_2_1845/second_best_city_1_162364 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907104929/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/opinion_2_1845/second_best_city_1_162364 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2012 |title=Second-best city |access-date=7 July 2010 |newspaper=Lancashire Evening Post }}</ref>

====National and regional bus services====
The national operators [[National Express Coaches|National Express]], [[Eurolines]], and [[Megabus (Europe)|Megabus]] provide services from the bus station to and from various major cities and destination en-route across the United Kingdom.

Stagecoach provides services to the nearby towns and cities of [[Blackpool]], [[Blackburn]], [[Bolton]], [[Liverpool]], [[Manchester]], [[Southport]] and [[Metropolitan Borough of Wigan|Wigan]] as well as [[Lancaster, Lancashire|Lancaster]] and [[Morecambe]] under the [[Stagecoach in Lancaster]] service.

[[Blackburn Bus Company]], part of the [[Transdev]] group, operates the 152 Hotline route to Blackburn and [[Burnley]]. An independent company, [[John Fishwick & Sons]], that provided frequent services into the city centre from Lower Penwortham, Lostock Hall, Leyland, Euxton and Chorley, ceased trading in October 2015.

====Local bus services====
Many services between Preston and the surrounding area are operated by [[Ribble Motor Services]] which became part of the [[Stagecoach Group]], using the name [[Stagecoach in Lancashire]].

[[Preston Bus]], formerly the city's [[municipal bus company]], operate local services within the city.

In October 2006, Preston Bus started operating two orbital bus routes.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wsWeedUr5QkC&pg=PA145 |title=Stagecoach Group Plc/Preston Bus Limited: A Report on the Completed Acquisition by Stagecoach Group Plc of Preston Bus Limited |author=[[Competition Commission]] |publisher=The Stationery Office |page=145 |isbn=978-0-11-706375-4 |year=2009 |access-date=29 April 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
[[Preston Bus#History|Competition]] for routes and passengers resulted in a [[bus war]] between the two companies after buses were [[Bus deregulation in the United Kingdom|deregulated]]. On 23 January 2009, Preston Bus was sold to Stagecoach<ref name=bus-hist>{{cite web |url=http://www.prestonbus.co.uk/about/TheHistoryofPublicTransportinPreston_3.html |title=The History of Public Transport in Preston |publisher=Preston Bus |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145017/http://www.prestonbus.co.uk/about/TheHistoryofPublicTransportinPreston_3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> for over £10.4 million. Routes were changed and the services were branded [[Stagecoach in Preston]]. Following a lengthy investigation which began soon after the takeover, the Competition Commission ruled on 11 November 2009 that the action by Stagecoach had adversely affected competition in the area and ordered it to sell Preston Bus. In January 2011, [[Rotala]] announced it had agreed to take over Preston Bus.<ref name=bus-hist/>

====Bus stop displays====
Preston was one of the first cities in the UK to have displays fitted to every bus stop which aim to provide an accurate time and destination of the next bus arriving using [[GPS tracking]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qlocal.co.uk/ormskirk/news_list/Real_Time_Bus_Information_for_Lancashire-20484.htm |title=Real Time Bus Information for Lancashire |publisher=Ormskirk Online News |date=27 March 2003 |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145007/https://www.qlocal.co.uk/ormskirk/news_list/Real_Time_Bus_Information_for_Lancashire-20484.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The service, initially restricted to services within the borough, was expanded to cover Fishwick's 111 Preston to Leyland route but was discontinued in 2011,<ref>[http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/save-our-buses/lancashire Lancashire | Campaign for Better Transport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508112210/http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/save-our-buses/lancashire |date=8 May 2014 }}. Bettertransport.org.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref> and reinstated on some routes in 2013.

==Education==
[[File:Uclanharris.JPG|thumb|Harris Building, [[University of Central Lancashire]]]]

The city is home to the [[University of Central Lancashire]]. Formerly known as The Harris Institute, Preston [[Polytechnic (United Kingdom)|Polytechnic]], and more recently (1985–1992) as Lancashire Polytechnic, "UCLan" was in 2006 the sixth largest university in the country, with over 33,000 students.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/facts.pdf |title= Pocket Facts |access-date= 6 June 2006 |archive-date= 29 February 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080229031621/http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/facts.pdf |url-status= dead }}&nbsp;{{small|(708&nbsp;KB)}}, University of Central Lancashire. Retrieved 6 June 2006.</ref>

===Colleges of further and higher education===
*[[Lancaster University School of Mathematics]] - State selective [[Maths school]] based in central Preston near Cardinal Newman College - focuses on a curriculum of A-levels with all students taking maths and further maths.
*[[Preston College]] – Mainly based in [[Fulwood, Lancashire|Fulwood]] with two campuses – one near the [[Royal Preston Hospital]] for A-Levels and vocational courses, and an arts college in [[Moor Park, Preston|Moor Park]]. Has COVE (Centre of Vocational Excellence) status in Retail.
*[[Trades Union Congress|TUC]] Education Unit – Based at Buckingham House, Preston city centre
*[[Royal Preston Hospital]] – A teaching hospital, with a proportion of medical students from the [[University of Manchester]] based here for their clinical training.
*[[Cardinal Newman College]] – Based on a single campus in [[Avenham]], close to the city centre.
<!-- Runshaw, Myerscough and Hutton Grammar are not in Preston -->

===High schools===
<!-- Please do not add schools that are outside the unparished area of Preston (see map in Geography section) -->
{{div col}}
*[[Archbishop Temple School]]
*[[Ashton Community Science College]]
*[[Broughton High School, Lancashire|Broughton High School]]
*[[Christ the King Catholic High School, Preston|Christ the King Catholic High School]]
*[[Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Fulwood|Corpus Christi Catholic High School]]
*[[Fulwood Academy]]
*[[Moor Park High School]]
*[[Our Lady's Catholic High School, Fulwood|Our Lady's Catholic High School]]
*[[Preston Muslim Girls High School]]
*[[Eden Boys Muslim High School]]
{{div col end}}

==Public health==
Preston has a number of [[Public hospital|public]] and [[Private hospital|private]] hospitals, including:
*Fulwood Hall Hospital, a private hospital in [[Fulwood, Lancashire|Fulwood]] operated by [[Ramsay Health Care UK]], providing a wide range of services<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.fulwoodhallhospital.co.uk/| title=Fulwood Hall Hospital| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145017/https://www.fulwoodhallhospital.co.uk/| url-status=live}}</ref>
*Greater Lancashire Hospital, a private hospital in [[Ribbleton]] operated by Bespoke Health Care Ltd, providing a limited range of services<ref>{{cite web| url=https://greaterlancashirehospital.co.uk/| title=Greater Lancashire Hospital| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144957/https://greaterlancashirehospital.co.uk/| url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Royal Preston Hospital]], a general and teaching public hospital at Fulwood

==Media==
The following regional radio stations include Preston within their coverage:
*[[BBC Radio Lancashire]] – Lancashire wide, news, talk, sport and music. (Broadcast from Blackburn)
*[[Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire]] – Lancashire and North West England, classic hits. (Broadcast from Manchester)
*[[Hits Radio Lancashire]] – Lancashire and North West England, pop music. (Broadcast from Manchester)
*[[Heart North West]] – across the North West, pop music. (Broadcast from Manchester)
*[[Smooth North West]] – across the North West, easy-listening music. (Broadcast from Manchester)
*[[Capital Manchester and Lancashire]] – across the North West, pop music. (Broadcast from Manchester)
*[[106.5 Central Radio|Central Radio North West]] – across [[The Fylde]], [[Leyland, Lancashire|Leyland]] and [[Chorley]] areas of Lancashire, news, talk, and music. (Broadcast from the city) <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.central.radio/about-us/|title=About Us – Central Radio |access-date=13 November 2023}}</ref>

The ''[[Lancashire Evening Post]]'' newspaper is based in [[Fulwood, Lancashire|Fulwood]].

[[Blog Preston]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/ |title=Blog Preston |access-date=6 June 2021 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144912/https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is a [[hyperlocal]] news website which provides community news, views and information about the city.<ref name=McAthy20110217>{{cite web|last=McAthy|first=Rachel|title=Preston hyperlocal site wins funding for community project|url=http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/preston-hyperlocal-site-wins-funding-for-community-project/s2/a542858/|work=Journalism.co.uk|publisher=Mousetrap Media Ltd|access-date=12 December 2011|date=17 February 2011|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145042/https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/preston-hyperlocal-site-wins-funding-for-community-project/s2/a542858/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LEPshorts20110221>{{cite news|title=Story shorts – 21/02/11|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/story_shorts_21_02_11_1_3101180|newspaper=Lancashire Evening Post|access-date=12 December 2011|date=21 February 2011|quote=NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) has worked alongside the Big Lottery Fund to deliver support to 17 organisations nationwide. They include Prescap, Preston FM, Blog Preston and CSV Preston.|archive-date=4 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404142702/http://www.lep.co.uk/news/story_shorts_21_02_11_1_3101180|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Television is provided by [[ITV Granada]], the ITV franchise holder for the North West region, [[BBC North West]], the regional BBC station for the North West region, and a local TV service for Blackpool and Preston, That's Lancashire, from studios at the Northern Lights Business Centre in the [[University of Central Lancashire]]'s Media Factory building.

''VisitPreston.com'' is a website that "showcases everything that Preston has to offer to all audiences", providing information on topics such as business investment, education, tourism, etc. It is provided by key local stakeholders including the Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council, University of Central Lancashire, Preston Business Improvement District, and The Chase creative consultants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitpreston.com/about/ |title=About Visit Preston |publisher=VisitPreston.com |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145000/https://www.visitpreston.com/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sport==

===Preston North End F.C.===
{{main|Preston North End F.C.}}
[[File:Deepdalecomplete.jpg|thumb|Deepdale Stadium, home of Preston North End F.C.]]
[[File:PrestonNorthEnd1888.jpg|thumb|Preston North End in 1888–89, the first Football League champions, subsequently doing '[[Double (association football)|The Double]]']]
Preston North End F.C. were one of the founder members of [[the Football League]] and the first team to be crowned [[English football champions]].<ref name=PCCPNE20071211>{{cite web|title=Preston North End|url=http://www.preston.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=1846|publisher=Preston City Council|access-date=29 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118144500/http://www.preston.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=1846|archive-date=18 January 2008|date=11 December 2007}}</ref> They play at [[Deepdale]] Football Ground which was also the original site of the [[National Football Museum]]. The museum closed in 2011 in preparation for its move to [[Manchester]] due to funding issues.

Preston were champions of the [[Football League]] in its first two seasons, but have not won it since. Their last major trophy came in 1938 when they won the [[FA Cup]], and they have not played top division football since 1961. They are one of the few English league clubs to have been champions of all four tiers of the English professional league.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}}

[[Dick, Kerr's Ladies]], one of the successful early [[Women's football (soccer)|women's football]] teams in Britain, called Preston home, starting in 1917. They were one of the first ladies teams to play an international match against an overseas side when they played against a team from Paris in the spring of 1920. They played a series of matches in the north west of England, and at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], London. The opening match of the tour was played at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End, in front of 25,000 spectators, a record for the ground at that time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dickkerrladies.com/about-the-team|title=TEAM HIGHLIGHTS|website=Dickkerrladies.com}}</ref>

===UCLan Sports Arena===
The UCLan Sports Arena is the [[University of Central Lancashire]]'s multi-million pound sporting venue, catering for a wide range of outdoor sports such as football, rugby, athletics, hockey, tennis, netball and cycling on a 64-acre site. Open to students and the wider community, the arena is the city's premier multi-sports venue.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/uclansport/index.php| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=UCLAN Sports Arema| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145036/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/student-life/sport| url-status=live}}</ref>

The arena is located in [[Lea, Lancashire|Lea]], approximately two miles from the university's main campus in Preston. A shuttle bus operates for students on Monday-Saturdays from outside the UCLAN Students' Union building in Fylde Road. As well as being the home of a number of university sporting clubs, the arena also hosts various public sporting clubs including the Preston Harriers Athletics Club and the Preston Springsfields Tennis Club.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/uclansport/sports.php| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=UCLAN Sports Arema – Sports| access-date=10 February 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The arena has a 1.5&nbsp;km cycle track and a 0.75&nbsp;km junior cycle track, open for use by individuals, clubs and cycle races/meetings. It is often used for [[track cycling|cycle racing]] by the university's cycling club, as well as local and regional events and at such times is closed to general users.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.uclan.ac.uk/uclansport/cycling.php| publisher=University of Central Lancashire| title=UCLAN Sports Arema – Cycling| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145039/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/student-life/sport| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Golf===
Preston has two [[Country club|golf clubs]] with [[Golf course|18-hole courses]], these are:
* Ashton and Lea Golf Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashtonleagolfclub.co.uk/|title=Ashton & Lea Golf Club|access-date=11 February 2020|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145009/https://www.ashtonleagolfclub.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> in [[Lea, Lancashire|Lea]] in the west of the city
* Preston Golf Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prestongolfclub.com/|title=Preston Golf Club|access-date=11 February 2020|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145008/https://www.prestongolfclub.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> in [[Fulwood, Lancashire|Fulwood]] in the north of Preston.

The clubs operate on a membership basis, and usually allow playing and non-playing visitors. They also provide further facilities such as function rooms and [[pro shop]]s.

The Ingol Village Golf Club operated in [[Ingol]] in Preston's northwest from 1981 until its closure in 2017, when it was deemed nonviable due to dwindling membership.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/england/north-west/lancashireaiom/1793-lancs-ingol-village-golf-club/| publisher=Golf's Missing Links| title=Ingol Village Golf Club, Preston| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145010/https://golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/england/north-west/lancashireaiom/1793-lancs-ingol-village-golf-club/| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other sports===
[[Motorcycle Speedway|Speedway racing]], then known as Dirt Track Racing was staged at Farringdon Park in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The Preston team raced in the English Dirt Track League of 1929 and the Northern League of 1930 and 1931. The best known rider of the team was [[Joe Abbott (speedway rider)|Joe "Iron Man" Abbott]] who went on to Test Match successes riding before the war for [[Belle Vue Aces|Belle Vue]]. After the war Joe appeared for [[Harringay Racers (speedway)|Harringay]] and [[Bradford Dukes|Bradford]].

Preston is home to many other sports leagues and clubs.
*[[Rugby union]]: [[Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C.]], established in 1869, play in the Northern Premier League, the fifth tier of the English league system.
*[[Cricket]]: Preston Cricket Club, founded in 1882 and based at [[West Cliff, Preston|West Cliff]], compete in the [[Northern Premier Cricket League]]. Many other cricket clubs including Fulwood and Broughton Cricket Club are based in Preston, with many competing in locally based competitions such as the [[Palace Shield]].
*[[Field hockey|Hockey]]: Preston Hockey Club was established in 1903.
*[[Mountaineering]]: [[Preston Mountaineering Club]] is based in the town and has been in existence for over 70 years.
*[[Roller derby]]: Preston is also home to Lancashire's first roller derby league; Preston Roller Girls, have been playing since 2011.

==Attractions==
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦---> 
[[File:Park_Hotel_Miller_Park_20191110.jpg|thumb|The old [[Park Hotel, Preston|Park Hotel]] overlooking Miller Park in autumn]]
[[File:Preston_Market_Hall_by_night_20190123.jpg|thumb|Preston Market Hall and Covered Market at night]]
[[File:SS-A5-20_RSR_20180708.jpg|thumb|Locomotive no.20, on loan from the [[National Railway Museum Shildon]], operating on the Ribble Steam Railway]]
Popular attractions around Preston include:
*[[Avenham Park|Avenham]] and [[Miller Park, Preston|Miller]] Parks: located a short walk from the centre of the city on the banks of the [[River Ribble]] and adjacent to [[Winckley Square]], these large parks rank amongst the finest examples of traditional Victorian parkland in the North West of England.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/avenham-and-miller-parks-p19100|publisher=Marketing Lancashire|title=Things To Do|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145041/https://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/avenham-and-miller-parks-p19100|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The [[Black Horse, Preston|Black Horse]] public house at 166 Friargate, is on the [[Campaign for Real Ale]]'s [[National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors]].<ref name=Brandwood>{{cite book|last1=Brandwood|first1=Geoff|title=Britain's best real heritage pubs|date=2013|publisher=CAMRA|location=St. Albans|isbn=9781852493042|page=56}}<!--|access-date=21 August 2014--></ref>
*[[British Commercial Vehicle Museum]] located in the nearby town of [[Leyland, Lancashire|Leyland]], approximately {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} south of the city, the museum displays antiquarian [[bus]]es, early [[fire engines]] and other historical and [[commercial vehicles]] produced by the [[Manufacturing in the United Kingdom|British manufacturing industry]].
* [[Brockholes (nature reserve)|Brockholes]] is a [[nature reserve]] located just off Junction 31 of the [[M6 Motorway]]. It is owned by the [[Lancashire Wildlife Trust]] and was previously a major quarry excavation site. It provides a wide range of events throughout the year and over 250 acres of trails and hides.
*[[Deepdale]] is a football [[stadium]] and the home of [[Preston North End F.C.]]. It is a 15-minute walk from the city centre and located opposite [[Moor Park, Preston|Moor Park]]. Outside the Sir [[Tom Finney]] Stand is ''The Splash'' statue of the famous player which was inspired by a photograph taken in 1956. 
*[[Harris Museum|Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Preston Free Public Library]]: located in the city centre, the museum has collections on archaeology and local history; also fine art including decorative art, costume, and textiles, with a focus on local works.
*[[Lancashire Infantry Museum]]: located at [[Fulwood Barracks]], the museum claims to be the "largest Regimental archive and the premier centre for military historical research in the North of England."<ref>{{cite web|title=Official site|url=http://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/|publisher=Lancashire Infantry Museum|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145008/http://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Lancaster Canal]]: from its terminus and boat basin at [[Ashton-on-Ribble]] the canal provides [[narrowboat]] cruising and a scenic cycle path and walk (approximately 22 miles) to [[Lancaster, Lancashire|Lancaster]] and destinations north.
*[[Museum of Lancashire]]: located a short walk from [[Preston bus station]], the museum hosts historical collections on the theme of "Lancashire Through Time". On 30 September 2016 the museum closed to the general public due to council budget cuts. In July 2019 Lancashire County Council stated it was their "ultimate ambition" for the museum to reopen.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/council/more-money-lancashire-museums-which-cant-be-closed-650148| title=More money for the Lancashire museums which 'can't be closed'| publisher=Lancashire Evening Post| author=Pail Faulkner| date=12 July 2019| access-date=10 February 2020}}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Preston Market Hall and Box Market: located on the site of the historic [[Covered Market, Preston|Covered Market and Fishmarket]], traders sell local fresh produce, hot and cold foods to dine-in or take-away, artesan beer and coffee, gifts and [[bric-à-brac]]. Open Monday-Saturday.<ref name=PrestonMarkets />
* [[St John's Minster, Preston|Preston Minster]], a grade II* building, dating from at least 1094, although most of it was rebuilt in the nineteenth century; it is the [[parish church]] of Preston and is united to the [[Church of St George the Martyr, Preston|Church of St George]], both of which are located in city centre.
*[[Ribble Steam Railway]]: a [[Heritage railway|preserved railway]] running along [[Preston Dock]], the museum includes workshops (where preservation work is undertaken), a visitor centre and cafe, and offers rides on restored steam trains on operating weekends.
* [[St Walburge's Church]]: located about a 15–20 minute walk from Preston Railway Station,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Railway+Station,+Preston/Church+of+St+Walburge,+Preston,+Weston+St,+Ashton-on-Ribble,+Preston+PR2+2QE/@53.7599211,-2.7151076,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x487b727bd07a7b83:0x4b3082178c2f9bff!2m2!1d-2.706964!2d53.757313!1m5!1m1!1s0x487b6d89cd15450b:0xeb63dda3b39df3b4!2m2!1d-2.7150584!2d53.7630772!3e2?hl=en| publisher=Google Maps| title=Directions to St Walburge's Church (walking)| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145017/https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Railway+Station,+Preston/Church+of+St+Walburge,+Preston,+Weston+St,+Ashton-on-Ribble,+Preston+PR2+2QE/@53.7599211,-2.7151076,16z/data=%213m1%214b1%214m14%214m13%211m5%211m1%211s0x487b727bd07a7b83:0x4b3082178c2f9bff%212m2%211d-2.706964%212d53.757313%211m5%211m1%211s0x487b6d89cd15450b:0xeb63dda3b39df3b4%212m2%211d-2.7150584%212d53.7630772%213e2?hl=en| url-status=live}}</ref> free guided tours are available around midday on Saturdays.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.visitpreston.com/visit/things-to-do-in-preston/walksandtours/guidedwalkstours/st-walburges-church-guided-tours/| publisher=VisitPreston| title=St Walburge's Church Guided Tours| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145105/https://www.visitpreston.com/visit/things-to-do-in-preston/walksandtours/guidedwalkstours/st-walburges-church-guided-tours/| url-status=live}}</ref> At certain times of the year, tours of the spire (the tallest in England for a church that is not a cathedral<ref name=StWalburges />) are available; tickets are limited and are available from the church in return for a recommended donation.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2019/01/st-walburges-spire-tours-extended-by-popular-demand/| publisher=BlogPreston| title=St Walburge's spire tours extended by popular demand| date=13 January 2019| access-date=10 February 2020| archive-date=9 January 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145043/https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2019/01/st-walburges-spire-tours-extended-by-popular-demand/| url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{main category|People from Preston, Lancashire}}
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> 
* [[Richard Arkwright|Sir Richard Arkwright]] was born in Preston and developed his [[water frame]] in the building now known as [[Arkwright House, Preston|Arkwright House]] A Blue Plaque commemorates the location at Stoneygate <ref>[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-392172-arkwright-house-lancashire Arkwright House, Preston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145117/https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101279775-arkwright-house-preston-town-centre-ward |date=9 January 2021 }}, retrieved 27 September 2013</ref>
* [[Lady]] [[Fiona Armstrong]], journalist, author and [[Lord Lieutenant]] of [[Dumfries]] was born in Preston.
* [[Leo Baxendale]], who drew the comic characters Dennis the Menace, the Bash Street Kids and Minnie the Minx for The Beano was born in [[Whittle-le-Woods]] near Preston and educated at [[Preston Catholic College]].
* [[Wade Barrett|Stu Bennett]], [[WWE]] wrestler, lived in Preston until the age of six
* [[Holly Bradshaw]], Great Britain Olympic track and field athlete, was born in Preston
* [[Eddie Calvert]] was a trumpeter who enjoyed his greatest success in the 1950s and he was known as the "Man with the Golden Trumpet." He was born in Preston.
* [[Clarke Carlisle]], footballer and TV personality, was born and brought up in Preston
* [[Hugh Carthy]], Pro Peloton cyclist [[EF Pro Cycling]], was born in Preston
* [[Helen Clitheroe]], Great Britain Olympic athlete, was born in Preston
* [[Joseph Delaney]], author of science fiction and fantasy books, was born in Preston
* [[Tupele Dorgu]], actress famous for her role as [[Kelly Crabtree]] in the British ITV soap-opera [[Coronation Street]], was born in Preston
* [[Anulka Dziubinska]], model and actress who was the [[Playboy]] centrefold in May 1973, was born and raised in Preston
* [[Tim Farron]] MP, Member of Parliament for [[Westmorland and Lonsdale]] and former [[Leader of the Liberal Democrats]], was born in Preston
* [[Tom Finney|Sir Tom Finney]], [[association football|footballer]], played for [[Preston North End F.C.]] and England. He was awarded the   [[Freedom of the City]] in 1979, and was born and died in Preston.
* [[Andrew Flintoff|Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff]], England and Lancashire [[cricketer]] as well as a current broadcaster, was born in Preston. He was awarded the [[Freedom of the City]] in 2006 following England's [[the Ashes|Ashes]] victory of 2005.
* [[Benjamin Franklin]], one of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]], lived briefly on Friargate before returning to America; a [[Blue Plaque]] on the wall of the building commemorates the location<ref>{{cite web |url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/7484 |title=Benjamin Franklin blue plaque in Preston |publisher=Open Plaques |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145052/http://openplaques.org/plaques/7484 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Lieutenant-General Sir [[John Bagot Glubb]], better known as Glubb Pasha, born in Preston in 1897
* [[Sir]] [[George Grenfell-Baines]] was an architect and town planner, who founded the [[Building Design Partnership]]. He was born and died in Preston
* [[Edmund Robert Harris]], local solicitor and former Prothonotary for Lancashire, was born and died in Preston. Harris was the principal benefactor of the Harris Museum, Harris Institute or Art School, Harris Technical School and the Harris Orphanage. A Blue Plaque is located at his former home at 13 Ribblesdale Place
* [[A. J. Hartley]], award-winning, bestselling novelist, was born in Preston
* [[Lubaina Himid]], [[Turner Prize]]-winning artist. Currently Professor of Contemporary Art at the University of Central Lancashire
* [[Susan Hanson]], actress, famous for her role as Diane Hunter (aka 'Miss Diane') in the ITV soap opera [[Crossroads (UK TV series)|''Crossroads'']], which she played from 1965 until 1987, was born in Preston.
* [[Mary Anne Hobbs]], English [[BBC Radio One]] DJ and music journalist, was born in Preston
* [[Mary Holt]] was a Member of Parliamentary for [[Preston North]] and the first woman to hold the seat. A qualified barrister, she served as a judge on the [[Northern Circuit]]. She was born and died in Preston
* [[Pottery Cottage murders|William Thomas Hughes]], Prison escapee and mass murderer, was born in Preston in 1946
* [[John Inman]], actor famous for his role as Mr. Humphries in [[Are You Being Served?]], was born in Preston
* [[Phil Jones (footballer, born 1992)|Phil Jones]] footballer who played for Manchester United, was born in Preston.
* [[Anne Jessopp]], first ever female CEO of the [[Royal Mint]] was born in Preston.
* [[Stacey Kemp]], former Great Britain competitive pair skater was born in Preston
* [[Sarah Ann Kennedy]], voice of Miss Rabbit in ''[[Peppa Pig]]'' and Nanny Plum in ''[[Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom]],'' works at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston as a lecturer in animation<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.uclan.ac.uk/staff_profiles/sarah_ann_kennedy.php|title=Sarah Ann Kennedy {{!}} Staff Profile {{!}}University of Central Lancashire|website=UCLan – University of Central Lancashire|language=en|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145114/https://www.uclan.ac.uk/academics|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Simon Kerrigan]], cricketer, was born in Preston
* [[Ian Kirkham]], saxophone player for the group [[Simply Red]], was born in Preston
* [[Mark Lawrenson]], TV presenter, footballer and pundit was born in [[Penwortham]], just south of the city centre. 
* [[Joseph Livesey]] was a [[temperance movement|temperance campaigner]], local politician, newspaper proprietor and philanthropist, who was born in [[Walton-le-Dale]] near Preston and died in Preston. A Blue Plaque commemorating him is located on Stoneygate
* [[Dan Nightingale]], comedian and podcaster
*[[John Boyle O'Reilly]], Irish writer, journalist and civil rights activist lived in Preston from 1859 to 1863, with his uncle and aunt. He worked at the [[Preston Guardian]] while living there.<ref>{{Cite Australian Dictionary of Biography|last=Birman|first=Wendy|title=John Boyle O'Reilly (1844–1890)|id2=oreilly-john-boyle-4338|year=1974|volume=5|access-date=17 August 2019|archive-date=30 January 2016|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/oreilly-john-boyle-4338|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130010518/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/oreilly-john-boyle-4338|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Nick Park]], [[animator]] and creator of [[Wallace and Gromit]] was born in Preston, and was awarded the [[Freedom of the City]] in 1997. There is a bronze statue of the two animated characters by the entrance to the Preston Market Hall in the city centre, which was unveiled by Park in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wallace and Gromit: Creator Nick Park unveils comedy duo's Preston statue |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-58516735 |website=BBC News |access-date=10 January 2022 |date=10 September 2021}}</ref>
* [[Dame]] [[Karen Pierce]] British diplomat and [[British Ambassador to the United States]] at the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]] was born in Preston and attended [[Penwortham Girls' High School]]
* [[Edith Rigby]], English [[suffragette]] was born in Preston. There is a [[Blue Plaque]] commemorating her at a former home at 28 Winckley Square
* [[Robert W. Service]], poet and writer associated with the [[Yukon Gold Rush]], was born in Preston and lived for a time on Winckley Street in the city centre. There is a [[Blue Plaque]] commemorating him on Christian Road, near the railway station<ref>[http://robertwservice.blogspot.com/2013/02/robert-w-service-blue-plaque-preston.html?q=blue+plaque Robert William Service (1874–1958): Robert W. Service Blue Plaque, Preston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145022/http://robertwservice.blogspot.com/2013/02/robert-w-service-blue-plaque-preston.html?q=blue+plaque |date=9 January 2021 }}. Robertwservice.blogspot.com. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref>
* [[Ranvir Singh]], TV presenter, newsreader and [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[University of Central Lancashire]] was born in Preston
* [[Howard Stableford]], Radio and TV broadcaster, former presenter of the BBC's "[[Tomorrow's World]]" He grew up in Preston and attended [[Hutton Grammar School]]
*[[Francis Thompson]], Victorian poet and ascetic, was born at 7 Winckley Street, Preston and has a memorial plaque there<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff |url=http://www.blueplaqueplaces.co.uk/francis-thompson-bronze-plaque-in-preston-9201#.VjkCyfnhDy0 |title=Francis Thompson bronze plaque in Preston |publisher=Blue Plaque Places |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123042404/http://www.blueplaqueplaces.co.uk/francis-thompson-bronze-plaque-in-preston-9201#.VjkCyfnhDy0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Steve Walsh (footballer)|Steve Walsh]], footballer for Leicester City, was born in Preston.

<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> 
{{Clear}}

==Twin cities/towns==
Preston is twinned with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Town twinning |url=https://www.preston.gov.uk/towntwinning |website=preston.gov.uk |publisher=Preston City Council |access-date=20 October 2023}}</ref>
* [[Almelo]], Netherlands; twinned in 1948.<ref>{{cite news |title=All smiles as Preston celebrates 70 years of being twinned with Dutch city Almelo |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/all-smiles-as-preston-celebrates-70-years-of-being-twinned-with-dutch-city-almelo-1-9100836 |newspaper=Lancashire Evening Post |date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109145106/https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/all-smiles-preston-celebrates-70-years-being-twinned-dutch-city-almelo-671482 |archive-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>
* [[Kalisz]], Poland; twinned in 1989.
* [[Nîmes]], France; twinned in 1955.
* [[Recklinghausen]], Germany; twinned in 1956.

==References==
=== Explanatory notes ===
{{notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== General and cited references ===
* {{cite book|author=Hodge, A. C.|title=History of Preston: An Introduction|year=1997|orig-year=1984|publisher=Carnegie Publishing|location=Preston|isbn=1-85936-049-1}}
* {{cite book|author=Hunt, D.|title=A History of Preston |year=1992|publisher=Carnegie Publishing|location=Preston|isbn=0-948789-67-0}}
* {{cite book|author=Hunt, D.|title=Preston: Centuries of Change|year=2003|publisher=The Breedon Books Publishing Company|isbn=1-85983-345-4}}
* {{cite book|author=Sartin, S.|title=The people and places of Historic Preston |year=1988|publisher=Carnegie Publishing|location=Preston|isbn=0-948789-25-5}}
* {{cite book|author1=Walsh, T. |author2=Butler, G. |name-list-style=amp |title=The Old Lamb and Flag|year=1992|publisher=Carnegie Publishing|location=Preston|isbn=0-948789-79-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[http://www.preston.gov.uk/ Preston City Council]
*[http://www.visitpreston.com/visit/things-to-do-in-preston/walksandtours/self-guidedwalks/preston-statues Preston City Centre Statue Trail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144936/https://www.visitpreston.com/visit/things-to-do-in-preston/walksandtours/self-guidedwalks/preston-statues/ |date=9 January 2021 }}

{{Portal|Lancashire|England}}

{{City of Preston, Lancashire}}
{{Lancashire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Preston, Lancashire| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1st millennium]]
[[Category:City of Preston, Lancashire]]
[[Category:Cities in North West England]]
[[Category:Towns in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Lancashire]]