Best trails in Avenham Park, Lancashire, England

As of August 2019, the same bridge connecting Aveham Park and the local bike trail is still closed, but you can easily go around. This route takes in Avenham and Miller Parks and both banks of the River Ribble crossing this at London Road and Penwortham Bridges. Avenham and Miller parks were created in 1860's when the area was suffering a cotton famine due to the American Civil War. Funds were provided by Joseph Livesey who was born in Walton-le-Dale. He was a newspaper editor, philanthropist and social reformer. He is best known as a founding member of the Temperance Movement. Overlooking Miller Park is the Park Hotel c1850, at which Queen Victoria stayed. It is now County Council offices. There is also a statue of the Earl of Derby who served two terms as Prime Minister. Avenham Park has had a major makeover. The new pavilion built in 2005 cost £1.3 million and includes cafe, toilets, meeting and function rooms. The 'Swiss Chalet' however predates much of the park being erected in 1850. Avenham Walks : The 'Top' or 'Ladies' Walk also predates the park and was purchased in 1697 for £15. The 'Middle' and 'Lower' walks were added later. The Harris Institute  seen at the start of the 'Top Walk' is in the 'classical' style and was named after a prominent local lawyer who left money for the building of 'An Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge'. Avenham Tower, the imposing italianate town house was built in 1850 and for a time was the home of Edwin Henry Booth, the founder of E H Booth's supermarket. The two cannons on the 'Lower Walk' are replicas of Russian cannons brought back from the siege of Sebastopol which involved Preston based regiments. The 'Tram-Way Bridge' was completed in 1803 to link the North and South ends of the Lancaster Canal, which also required the construction of three 'incline plains' powered by steam winches. A tunnel was also constructed under Fishergate, now used to gain access to a car park. The original bridge was of wood, this is now a replica using precast concrete for the trestle style construction. The London Road Bridge dates from 1782 but has since been widened. A bridge has spanned the Ribble here since 1403. During the English Civil War the Battle of Preston took place nearby. The main west-coast line crosses the river to enter Preston Station. The other railway bridge closed in 1970's and was called the East Lancs viaduct. It was also part of the Preston 'ioop' where trains could exit Preston station southwards, travel round 'the loop' and re-enter the station going north. It was mainly used for 'specials' traveling to and from Blackpool to the north. The Penwortham Old Bridge was built in 1759 to replace a bridge that collapsed after just 1yr - oops!! The current Penwortham Bridge was built in 1915 on the site of an old ship-repair yard.Show more

A circular walk in Avenham and Miller Parks in Preston, Lancashire. Lancashire as a whole, and Preston in particular, has a considerable number of first-rate parks. In Preston there is a 13 mile circuit linking its 7 main parks. This walk takes in two of Preston's most attractive open spaces: Avenham and Miller Parks which lie besides the River Ribble to the south of the city. The municipal park the great bequest of the Victorians is very easy to overlook as a suitable area for a serious walk, but this walk is a lovely outing for locals and visitors alike. The walking route is relatively easy, following surfaced paths through the park. There are no stiles or livestock on route, but you will need to negotiate gates and staggered barriers. The flight of steps on route can be avoided by using nearby ramps instead, meaning the walk should be suitable for pushchairs. Allow 1.5 hours. Show more