Built-up area in Preston, Lancashire, England
| Coordinates: | 53.774, -2.703 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SD 53 31 |
| Population: | 313,332 |
| Dialling code: | 01772 |
Preston is a city in the county of Lancashire, in north‑west England, sitting on the banks of the River Ribble at the edge of the Fylde and close to the Forest of Bowland. It began as a market town and expanded into a prominent mill and railway centre during the Industrial Revolution, later becoming the administrative centre of the City of Preston; civic life is marked by long traditions such as the rare twenty‑year Preston Guild.
Today the local economy mixes public services, manufacturing, retail and a large student presence around the University of Central Lancashire, while culture is boosted by institutions like the Harris Museum and a proud sporting record - Preston North End play at Deepdale, one of the oldest league grounds. Its position near the estuary and Morecambe Bay and easy access to surrounding countryside give residents quick routes to both coastal and upland recreation.
PR1 5UQ, PR2 6YU, PR2 3BJ, PR2 9HS, PR2 3AF, PR2 5NE, PR2 6NN, PR1 7RJ, PR2 9LS, PR1 5HL