Compare Preston car hire

Preston’s location makes it a day-tripper’s delight, with the picture-perfect Ribble Valley on its doorstep, the UNESCO-listed Lake District National Park less than an hour away, and Blackpool’s iconic Pleasure Beach theme park just 30 minutes up the road.

If you do need to drive through the city centre, the roads are generally of good quality, but it pays to plan your route in advance – and preferably bring a satnav or GPS-enabled smartphone – to avoid falling foul of the city’s congestion-easing measures. Fishergate can be particularly confusing, as you’ll have to contend with bus lanes and a stretch of road that is only open to taxis and buses during daytime hours. Be warned that hefty fines are slapped on motorists who fail to obey traffic-calming rules.

Traffic on Preston’s roads is no worse than you’d expect of any small English city, although there are a few pinch points to avoid during the pre- and post-work crush. Strand Road, southwest of the city centre, tends to be busy at peak times, as does the Fulwood and Broughton interchange with the M6 and M55.

When it comes to ditching the car, pay-and-display car parks are typically cheaper than on-street parking. NCP car parks in the centre tend to be pricier than council-operated alternatives such as Avenham Multi-Storey, which is still within easy walking distance of the main shopping streets.

If you’re travelling from outside the city, the centre is served by two Park & Ride routes, one leaving from Portway and Hartington Road, the other from behind the Capitol Centre in Walton-le-Dale.

The Lake District

Driving time: 45 minutes

Love the great outdoors? Then head for the Lake District, home to England’s highest mountain and its deepest lake (Scafell Pike and Wastwater, respectively), Hiking, biking and watersports are all big draws, but you'll also find some great cultural and historic attractions, including Lowther and Muncaster castles, and museums devoted to William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Driving time: 30 minutes

This long-standing amusement park is a must for young families and adrenaline junkies alike. Thrillseekers will head for the Big One – at one time the world’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster – or one of several other coasters, including the new-in-2018 Icon, while little ones will love exploring Nickelodeon Land.

Albert Dock, Liverpool

Driving time: One hour

This complex of dock buildings and warehouses has become something of a cultural quarter. It is dotted with museums and galleries, including The Beatles Story, the Merseyside Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum, and the Tate Liverpool, with its modern and contemporary art.