Hotels in Preston

Preston works well as a short break base thanks to its unusually good transport links — the West Coast Main Line and the M6/M55 interchange both sit right on the city's doorstep, so it suits visitors combining a city stay with wider Lancashire touring. The centre has the usual mix of budget and mid-range chain hotels clustered near the railway station and Fishergate, convenient for reaching the Harris Museum, Flag Market and Avenham Park on foot. For something with a bit more character, the Riversway Docklands development beside the River Ribble offers waterside hotels and apartments with marina views, a short walk or drive from the centre. Travellers heading into the Ribble Valley or towards the Forest of Bowland often prefer to base themselves in one of the villages just north-east of the city, such as Longridge, Ribchester or Whalley, trading a few minutes' extra travel time for genuine countryside surroundings, traditional inns and easy access to walking routes on Beacon Fell and the wider AONB. Families visiting for the football, the university, or events on the Flag Market tend to find the city centre hotels most practical, while couples and walkers exploring the Ribble Valley usually get more out of a rural stay just outside Preston. Whichever you choose, the compact size of the city means nothing is ever more than a short taxi or bus ride away, and the Guild Wheel cycle route can be picked up from multiple points around the edge of town for those wanting to explore further afield under their own steam.