Brockholes Nature Reserve
A nature reserve with a visitor village that floats on the lake - genuinely floats. Easy flat trails, hides, a good playground and free family crafts through the summer holidays.
Ribble Steam Railway & Museum
Preston, Lancashire
A volunteer-run steam railway on Preston docks, with a ride of about 35 minutes and a museum shed of locomotives you can get properly close to. One ticket covers all-day travel plus the museum, Mr Ribble's playground and Mrs Ribble's tea room, so the sensible plan is ride, wander, feed everyone, ride again.
Trains run every Saturday from Easter through to September, with themed event days scattered across the rest of the year, and not much happens outside those dates. Adults £12.50, children three to fifteen £7.50, under threes free, £32 for a family of four. Book online or pay on arrival; only the dining trains and Santa specials need booking ahead. Parking is free and there is ramped access throughout.
Know before you go
- Nothing runs most weekdays - the main season is trains every Saturday from Easter to September, so check the running calendar first.
Seasonal: Trains Easter-Sept, plus event days. Check before travelling.
Looking for more adventure & rides near Preston?
Also in Preston
The Harris
Preston's museum, gallery and library reopened in September 2025 after a £19m rebuild, and it is still free. A proper children's library, changing exhibitions and a cafe under one Grade I listed roof on the Flag Market.
Avenham & Miller Parks
Two Victorian parks joined at the hip beside the Ribble: a Japanese rock garden, a riverside cafe, a playground sited between the two, and the Easter egg rolling hill. Preston's best free afternoon.