Preston is a city with a rich heritage, a bustling arts and culture scene, and plenty of pubs, bars, and cafes. At The Store Room self storage, we have put together a brief list of a few of our favourite things to do – but the list is definitely not exhaustive!

(NOTE: A number of the locations and activities in this post are currently closed or have restrictions on visiting, in line with Government rules on COVID-19. Please consult your local restrictions before visiting, and save visiting these attractions until it is safe to do so.)

To start with, there are a couple of individual business that we think deserve a mention:

The Ferret

First on the list is The Ferret, an amazing live music venue in Preston which has showcased local talent since 2006. The venue’s atmosphere (and reasonably priced drinks) makes it a very worthy of a visit!

Haighton Manor

Credit: Haighton Manor

Next up is Haighton Manor, which is a beautiful country pub in a 17th-century restored manor house, on the outskirts of Preston. The pub has a rich history, having previously served as a hospital, before being beautifully transformed into the rustic country pub it is today. We definitely recommend stopping by here for food and drinks, once we are all able to return to pubs!

Preston has many other activities on offer, asides from eating and drinking:

Museums/ Galleries

Credit: The Harris Museum & Art Gallery

The city also boasts a wide range of Galleries and Museums, including The Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Lancashire’s largest gallery space. The Grade I listed building is packed full of fine art, history, textiles, and ceramics, and proves a perfect day out for all ages.

Bouldering

If you are looking for something a bit more active, why not give bouldering a go at one of Preston’s many indoor bouldering walls, such as Boulder UK, or Clip ‘n’ Climb. The sport is drastically increasingly in popularity, and for good reason! Although the walls cater for all abilities, if you wish to challenge yourself further, there are many outdoor bouldering and climbing spots around the city – most popular are Brownstones Quarry, or Craig Y Longridge.

Trough of Bowland

“The Trough Of Bowland” by ARG_Flickr is licensed under CC BY 2.0

If you’re wanting to head out of the city and make the most of the nearby countryside, then the Trough of Bowland is a short drive away, with plenty of beautiful scenery and walks of all levels.

Lake District

“Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria, England” by cattan2011 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Travel a bit further North and you can get into the heart of the Lake District, with dramatic scenery, walks, and plenty of activities throughout the whole region. After just over an hour’s drive, you will reach the beautiful location of Windermere, where you can rent a boat or a paddle board out on the lake, or do one of the many walks in the area. Alternatively, in under an hour you can reach the historic market town Kendal, where there are plenty of independent shops and beautiful tourist spots to explore.

Bus Station

“Preston Bus Station” by Chilanga Cement is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Any list about Preston would not be complete without mention of the bus station. Love it or hate it, it is undeniably a significant landmark for Preston – as well as a Grade II protected building! Built between 1968 and 1969, the station is one of the best examples of Brutalist architecture in the UK, and has attracted attention worldwide.

Hopefully this list has provide some inspiration of things to do in and around Preston. If you live in or around Preston and are in need of any self-storage, get in touch with our Preston storage site!