Activities in Preston

When the Port of Preston closed in 1981, the space was converted into what’s known today as Preston Docks and Marina. Home to boats, lifestyle shops and a popular waterside coffee shop, it makes for a very picturesque walk, especially when the sun shines. Beware of the seagulls, though, as they’ve been known to take a liking to visitors’ ice creams and sandwiches!

While you’re strolling around the docks, you’ll no doubt notice the steam trains powering past, part of the Ribble Steam Railway. A three-mile return journey including a trip on the ‘swing bridge’ is highly recommended for trainspotters, with locomotives leaving on the hour from 11am until 4pm. Day tickets give you access to the museum, workshop and unlimited train rides.

Home to over 90 different birds of prey, including eagles, falcons and owls, Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary is a bird-lovers’ paradise. A rescue and rehabilitation centre, you can get up close and personal with some stunning animals, with flying displays running at 1pm every weekend weather permitting. The sanctuary is open from 10.30am–3.30pm daily, and only 12 minutes in the car from our South (Cuerden Way) hotel.

Finally, head to Preston Golf Club to mix sport with the great outdoors. The 18-hole course was built in 1892 and is spread over 120 acres of carefully manicured greens. The club boasts a teaching academy, 16-bay floodlit driving range, indoor and outdoor practice putting ranges and a spacious clubhouse to relax and refuel after your game.

Check out our hotels in Preston.

Ranging from the horizontal and sedate to vertical activities where you’ll find yourself more challenged, there’s plenty to occupy you in Preston. Starting with the low-key options, there are three cinemas to choose from.

The Palace is the most unconventional, dating back to the 19th century and with snacks including traditional ice creams and mugs of tea, alongside traditional treats and sweets. For more mod cons, head to the Odeon or Vue complexes. Each has nine screens showing the latest films, with Vue offering reclining leather seats.

For something a little more adrenaline fuelled, head to Timed Trap or Escape Room Preston. Part of the new wave of escape rooms sweeping the country, both outlets offer fiendish challenges set to a strict time limit, challenging your mental abilities and teamwork skills. Open for couples and groups of up to six, Timed Trap offers three different rooms and challenges to escape from, with Escape Room boasting six different challenges, each with varying levels of difficulty.

Rounding off our selection are two action-packed pursuits – the Energi Trampoline Park and Clip ’n Climb. Part of a nationwide chain, the Energi Trampoline Park is the perfect place to burn off excess energy. Open to children two and above and all adults, the park is filled with climbing walls, airbags, parkour obstacles, dodgeball courts and the VIP Fusion Skyrider; a 100-metre-long roller coaster zip line. Sessions can be booked online, with the park open daily from 10am until 9pm. With over 20 different climbing challenges, including the vertical drop slide and the stairway to heaven, Clip ’n Climb is suitable for kids four and older, with a special soft play area for younger children. Located on Millenium City Park, it’s just round the corner from our Preston East hotel. All the equipment is provided and no experience is necessary to get started.

A 21-mile greenway bike path, the Guild Wheel circles Preston and is a popular walking and biking route.

Built in 2012, it takes in the River Ribble, city centre parks, Preston’s docks, a nature reserve and some impressive woodland. You can join the path at any point, but watch your speed on some of the downhill sections or you could be freewheeling into the Ribble!