Ashton Park

Ashton Park is an attractive recreational park located the west of Preston and provides locals and visitors a welcome refuge from urban life.

Ashton Park has a colourful history started by the Pedders family, who had made their fortune by founding the Old Preston Bank (located on Church St), built the Ashton Estate and Mansion in 1810 and lived there until 1861. Nearby Pedders Street and Pedders Lane are testimony to the importance of the family.

When Edward Pedder died in 1861, it became apparent that there were not sufficient funds to pay all the demands on the bank and so the estate and its contents had to be sold.

The park was then purchase by Edmund Robert Harris, who became Preston's greatest public benefactor and left the mansion to the governors of Queen Anne's Bounty for the benefit of poor clergy, which evolved into the Church Commissioners.

After the death of Harris in 1877 the estate was sold again. After many changes of ownership, the Calverts, mill owners, sold the mansion to English Electric at the end of World War 1, who used it as a social club and for sporting activities. The best known from this period was Dick Kerr's Ladies Football Team.

In 1937, Preston Town Council finally bought Ashton Park for the sum of £27.00 and the mansion, Ashton House was sold to Lancashire County Council who turned it into a care home for the elderly. In the1990's the house was sold to its present owner Kindercare Childcare Centre.

Ashton Park Facilities:

In addition to Kindercare Childcare Nursery located in Ashton House and Ashton Health Centre, the park boasts and attractive open landscape with a fine colonnade of trees, small woodlands and flower displays. The park also contains two children's play areas, Aston Park also contains many sporting facilities including two first class bowling greens, 9 football pitches and tennis courts.

There is a Bowls Pavilion and Football Pavilion.

The public car park is accessible from Pedders Lane.

Ashton Park Ranger:

Ashton Park has its own dedicated Park Ranger who carries out daily patrols and inspections, to makes sure with the grounds maintenance staff that the park is tidy and safe. In addition the Ranger organises Environmental, Historical and Creative events for Schools, Community Groups and general public.

Friends of Ashton Park:

Established in 2002, the Friends of Ashton Park work in partnership with the Park Ranger and the Councils Parks Development Team. Although the Friends play a major role in the organisation of community events and contribute to management decisions, they also help raise funding for improvements and new facilities.
If you would like to become a member of the Friends of Ashton Park, please contact the Park Ranger on 01772 736749.

Road Directions

Ashton Park is located on the Northwest side of Preston, adjacent to Blackpool and Pedders Lane, close to Preston Docks. It is easily accessible by car, bicycle or on foot. The park is also reachable on the 24, 25, 27 and 127 bus routes.