If you like to feed your curiosity while travelling, Preston offers more than meets the eye. This is a city with layers of history, innovation, and community creativity just waiting to be uncovered. Whether you’re into hands-on workshops, fascinating museums, or evenings spent stargazing, Preston has plenty to offer. So what can be discovered in Preston for curious minds? And what should you not miss out on?
So what can be discovered in Preston for curious minds?
Preston has plenty to offer for people that love to discover new things. These include:
- Museums
- Astronomy and science
- Hidden histories and ghost tours
- Trying something new
- Heritage walks and self-guided tours
- Talks, festivals and learning events
Discover Preston’s quirky museums
You might not expect a military museum to be one of the most engaging stops in Preston, but the Lancashire Infantry Museum proves otherwise. Tucked inside Fulwood Barracks, this museum offers an intimate and detailed look at military history through personal stories, rare artefacts, and even the famed Salamanca Eagle, a battle trophy from the Napoleonic Wars. It’s open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, with tickets offering unlimited return visits for a full year, making this a great option for repeat guests or history enthusiasts.
Just a short trip from Preston is the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland. This place is a treasure trove for transport enthusiasts or anyone interested in British industry. From vintage buses and lorries to the royal vehicles once used by the Queen, it’s a hands on space with plenty to explore. The museum is very family friendly, and there’s even a heritage themed cafe to make your visit last longer.
Astronomy and Science in Preston
Preston has a strong scientific side too, thanks to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Its Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Astronomy runs regular public engagement events, including stargazing nights, planet spotting evenings, and science talks. Collaborating with local clubs and schools, they sometimes open up the Alston Observatory or host astronomy nights in Moor Park. Keep an eye out for events during British Science Week or the Lancashire Science Festival, Preston’s biggest science outreach celebration, attracting thousands each year.
These events are perfect for families, solo visitors, and anyone who enjoys learning in a hands on way. This can be a totally different way to experience the city.
Hidden histories and ghost tours
If you’re more into ghost stories and candlelit corridors, Preston has some chilling options close by. Just outside the city, Samlesbury Hall offers an experience called The Great Victorian Ghost Hunt, where guests take part in a recreated 19th-century spiritual investigation using traditional tools. It’s theatrical, creepy, and fascinating all at once.
Another nearby gem is Hoghton Tower, a grand old manor with centuries of history and rumours of hauntings. Their ghost tours take place at night and wind through secret passageways and dimly lit halls. Some even include a two-course meal in the tower’s restaurant, which is perfect for a spooky but satisfying evening.
Trying something new
Preston offers plenty of chances to try something creative while you’re here. Potters Barn, just outside the city near Samlesbury, offers drop-in pottery painting for beginners and families alike. It’s a relaxed, wholesome way to spend a couple of hours and you’ll go home with something handmade.
Back in the city centre, the SHOP Preston creative space regularly hosts workshops ranging from lino printing to photography and textiles. They also run game nights, creative meetups and craft circles, which can be a great way to meet local people or try something new. Some events are drop-in, others are ticketed, but many are beginner-friendly.
UCLan also opens its doors to the public for arts and cultural events throughout the year. Whether it’s a music taster class, cookery workshop, or creative writing session, there’s always something popping up on campus.
Heritage walks and self-guided tours
If you prefer to learn on the move, Preston is full of fascinating corners that reveal themselves through a bit of digging. Self-guided walking tours that are often themed around heritage, canals, public art or even Brutalist architecture, provide a deeper insight into how the city has grown and changed over the years. Local history groups sometimes offer walking tours of places like Winckley Square, known for its Georgian townhouses and historical residents.
Talks, festivals and learning events
For visitors who enjoy listening, discussing, and thinking out loud, there’s a steady stream of talks and festivals in Preston geared towards learning and engagement. UCLan frequently hosts free public lectures, often centred on science, local history, the arts, or cultural studies. These talks are usually open to all and offer a fascinating window into academic life.
The Lancashire Science Festival, held annually, is especially worth timing your visit for. It features live science demonstrations, hands-on activities, and talks for all ages, which can be especially fun for families or adults who never lost their love of learning.
Creative and makers markets, such as those held at SHOP Preston or in Flag Market, also offer the chance to learn from local artisans, whether that’s discovering how a piece was made, joining a mini-workshop, or watching a demonstration unfold.
Visit Preston and feed your curiosity
Preston is a city with so much to discover. Whether you’re unearthing battle stories in a regimental museum, peering into deep space at a science event, or trying your hand at pottery or printmaking, there’s always something new to learn or try.
So if you’re planning a trip to Preston, and you’re wondering what to do beyond the usual shopping and sightseeing, lean into your curiosity. You might be surprised by how much there is to uncover. Here at the No.10 Preston Hotel, we offer luxury and boutique accommodation for solo travellers, couples, families and groups, so you can relax and unwind in peace after a day of discovery. Why not take a look at what we can offer today?