The 23rd April 2024, a nice day for a walk round Preston. This route goes along East Cliff, to Miller and Avenham Parks then along the River Ribble to the Tram Road Bridge. Then back up above the flood plain into Frenchwood before heading up towards the Preston Minster to Fishergate.
Heading down Fishergate from the station we come to East Cliff. An interesting road that has a very steep fall into the river valley behind the houses on the right hand side. It also contains some very large houses, probably once owned by wealthy people but now mainly businesses or divided into flats.
First we see the headquarters of the English Football League:
Further along on the left we have a large fairly elegant 3 storey terrace:
On the right one of the large buildings
The left side:
On the right:
On the right behind the houses it overlooks the sports ground. Once English Electric Sports Ground
A walk under the West Coast Main Line in Miller Park
Along the River Ribble.
Miller Park, Preston
Avenham Park, riverside walk
The Tram Road Bridge. This is now closed being structurally unsafe. A new bridge has been approved and work is due to start in May 2024. I might be wrong but the new design looks more obtrusive to the view. But it only has 2 supports in the river which allows fallen trees to pass in floods without damage to the more delicate structure.
The Frenchwood bus depot of Stagecoach. Which older Prestonians would recall was Rbble Buses HQ and depot. The HQ being a more interesting Art Deco style building just off this walk.
Cardinal Newman College. The Catholic College of Preston.
The high rises in Avenham look a lot smarter now.
Arkwright House in Preston. An interesting house where inventor Arkwright started his spinning frame that created a lot of wealth. Although he had to flee to Cromford due to worker protests in Lancashire.
Preston Minster south side.
The favourite mural. One of many in Preston, mainly very good.
The Miller Arcade and behind it the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library which is now under renovation until 2025.
Miller Arcade. A nice shopping centre although mainly eateries now.
Fishergate, Preston’s main shopping street.
