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Walking

When you think of Preston, you may think of a former market town, the pavements and the buildings. In fact, more than two-thirds of Preston is given over to open space and countryside, criss-crossed by over 160 miles of public footpaths and bridleways.

Savick Brook Valley flows into the Ribble Estuary right up to the moorland and heather of Beacon Fell. There visitors will find four sculptures including a viewing point to spot the Great Orme at Llandudno and a visitor centre that has many events.

To the east lies Brockholes Wood, and in the more rural areas, there is Fishwick Bottoms and Fishwick Golf Course close to a stretch of the River Ribble.

At all of these places, wild plants, animals, birds and insects can be found. The attractive woodland area of Boilton Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with indigenous populations of wild deer and badgers.

The Ribble estuary, which bounders Preston, forms part of a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) and the Ribble Way is an important walking route linking historic towns along the its path. There are walks around Preston Dock (Riversway) and also along the riverbank back into town and it is possible to walk to an ancient orchard at Whittingham via Ladywell from Preston Flag Market.

Guided Walks of Preston along a number of themed routes operate every Wednesday and the first Saturday of each month from the 3rd April until the end of October. The walks are all conducted by Lancashire Blue Badge Guides and start from the Obelisk (in front of the Harris Museum) at 2.00pm.

Prices: Adults £3, Seniors and Students £2 and Children 50p.
For further details please contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01772 253731.
For Group Bookings contact the Blue Badge Guides directly:
Mell Dodd: 07792 373033
Peter Fagg: 01257 249750
Jane Humphreys: 07714 588068