quigs43

My husband just found out that he is going to be attending a conference in Preston in England in late June. Is there anything interesting to do around there with two kids- 13 and 9?

flanneruk

The nearest intercontinental airport is actually Manchester, and there's usually a reasonable train connection from the airport, changing in central Manchester to Preston.

From London, there are frequent trains.

It might be cheaper or even quicker to Ryanair from Stansted to Blackpool, though to get on to Preston you've either got to get into central Blackpool for a train or get a taxi that probably kills the saving.

I'm probably being unfair in saying there's nothing interesting in Preston for anyone, though I doubt anyone in Preston would disagree.

However close by, you've got the glories of our Lake District. Blackpool makes Las Vegas look sophisticated and elegant - but some think it has a certain charm. The hills over Preston make great walking, and personally I'm a great fan of Ribchester (the "Rib" refers to the river Ribble, which starts in the Pennines and then goes through Preston) and its small but very enjoyable colection of Roman remains.

Most of all, though, it's close to Liverpool, now universally recognised as Britain's major visitor attraction. Apart from the Merseybeat-era stuff, it has more conservation-listed buildings than anywhere in Britain apart from London and more public art and museums than anywhere in Britain apart from London. Why do people waste their time in deserts of artistic medocrity like Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh?

Certainly not because of international recognition. Liverpool's a World Heritage Site and they aren't. And Liverpool's pubs are so extraordinary they even close the men's toilets in the Philharmonic Hotel every now and again to take tour parties through.

Beat that, Bath or Stonehenge.

Alec

I live 20 miles away on the coast and frankly Preston isn't the most interesting place in Northwest England. It's an old cotton mill town on the banks of the River Ribble with docks that used to handle goods for the textile trade. Today it's a university city, with redeveloped dockland area, but parts of it still look post-industrial awaiting regeneration. The centre has fairly good regional shopping and a couple of landmarks like the parish church ('Minster') and museums. But the great thing is it's well situated for some very interesting day trips. Nearby is the Forest of Boreland and Pendle Hills, of the old witches' fame, with picturesque villages and historic town like Clitherow. You are a short train ride away from the South Lakes, with a boat ride on Lake Windermere and Beatrice Potter's cottage in Hawkshead just a few of the things you can enjoy. Then there's Blackpool, 30 min by frequent train, where your kids will enjoy the Promenade, the Piers, Sealife Centre, the Tower and Pleasurebeach theme park.
Preston is connected by direct Virgin West Coast train from London Euston, taking about 3 hours.

Alec

There's no need to change in Manchester for direct trains from the airport to Preston - about two an hour either bound for Blackpool North or Windermere, taking about 70 min. There's an hourly train within walking distance of Blackpool Airport (Squires Gate) direct to Preston.
Preston and Liverpool are well connected by hourly train service (1 hr). There's even an hourly train that gets you to York in a little over 2 hours.

caroline_edinburgh

flanneruk : actually, Edinburgh is a World Heritage Site.

Is the Liverpool you're talking about the same one which fraudulently got the City of Culture gig by promising Will Alsop's Fourth Grace, and then pulled the plug on it ?

quigs43

Thank you so much for the advice! I think some of day trips will be perfect.

Merseyheart

Thank God they pulled the Fourth Grace. Drawings of it certainly make me blanch. quigs43, your kids might like the Maritime Museum in Liverpool. Albert Dock is full of shops and restaurants, and a fun place to hang out. Don't miss the Ferry Cross the Mersey. A shuttle across the river and back takes about 30 minutes. They might like the Duck tour, too--it's a tour of Liverpool and the docks via an old amphibian boat used during wartime.

jsmith

Were I going to Preston, I would certainly want to visit Blackburn about 10-12 miles away. From the Beatles "A Day in the Life" from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band comes the following lyrics:

I read the news today oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all,
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall.
I’d love to turn you on...

Think how much fun it would be to recount those holes.