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Itineraries

Beyond exploration of the city centre Preston has so much more to discover and certainly more than enough create a weekend visit or short break packed with activities, scenery, shopping and entertainment. So much so, that you may need a rest when you get back home. We've selected an itinerary designed to show you the variety that Preston has to offer. How many city visits allow you to take in the fresh air and scenery of a county park?

DAY ONE

AM: Retail Therapy.
Head for the City Centre ensuring your route takes in the Fishergate Shopping Centre, The Mall St Georges Shopping Centre, The Miller Arcade, Fishergate and Friargate. En-route, take time to wander down the meandering side streets to find treasure troves of independent retailers able to provide something a little different from all the high street regulars.

A little rest
If you really don't want to shop till you quite literally drop, take a break by visiting one of the many coffee houses or cafes. The City Centre located Harris Museum and Art Gallery also offers a few a moment of sanity, best of all its free to enter and houses its own delightful coffee shop. If the weather is right a sandwich on a park bench can be just the ticket. The green city centre oasis that is Winkley Square, just at the end of Winkley Street, off Fishergate is just a stones throw away.

PM: Riversway & Docklands / Ribble Steam / TRAX
With recharged batteries head down to the Riversway Marina for a gentle stroll along the waters edge admiring the boats and yachts regularly moored here. There are bars and diners for refreshment and a traditional 1.5 mile steam train around the dockland area courtesy of the Ribble Steam Railway and Museum situated here. If feeling a little more brave, TRAX is the largest outdoor motor sport and karting track in the UK. Situated on the docklands they will give you full equipment hire and safety training before letting you loose around the 1 mile track.

LATER: Preston Guild Hall and Charter Theatre
This 2000 seater venue has a comprehensive and varied programme through out the year. Theatrical performances, musical theatre, comedy, classical, rock, pop and panto all feature. Listings can be found at www.prestonguildhall.com.

DAY TWO

AM: BEACON FELL COUNTRY PARK
Around 10 miles out of Preston Centre sits a 185 acres slice of countryside and a wildlife haven. Here, extensive conifer woods and moorland, visitor Centre, cafe, picnic areas, forest walks and viewpoint 266m above sea level will make citylife seem a thousand miles away - not 20 minutes drive.

PM: THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL MUSEUM
Heading back into the city now but you really don't need to be a football fan to appreciate the collections of football memorabilia held in the official FIFA and UEAFA collections on show here. The retelling of the social history and impact of football with fully interactive areas make this a really engaging experience. - and it's FREE, now there's a result!

LATER: NIGHTLIFE
Head for the bright lights and sample Preston's vibrant nightlife, live music venues, pubs, cocktail bars and night clubs mean whatever 'floats your boat' it can be found. Just ask the 30,000 students!

SHAME IF YOU MISS...

MILLENIUM RIBBLE LINK
The prestigious £5.4 m Ribble link is the first new canal to be built in England for more than a century. The 6km waterpark has 9 new locka nd a sculpture trail. The link connects the Lancaster Canla and the Riversway Marina to the national inland water way network. Whether explored on land or water, in part or in full, it is a relaxing way to meander away a few leisurely hours.

MUSEUM OF LANCASHIRE
Step back in time as you enter our Victorian schoolroom. Stroll down memory lane in our 1940s street - watch out for the unexploded bomb! Take cover in the Anderson Shelter when you hear the air raid siren; learn about rations and evacuation. A real family friendly, museum experience.