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Preston Museums Other
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About Preston - show infohide info
Preston is a city in the north west of England. It is the administrative centre of Lancashire, and has a population of 131,000 (2004 estimated). In Roman times, the main road from Cheshire to Cumberland passed a mile away from the site of Preston. In 705, the lands near the River Ribble were set on a new foundation, and the parish church was built. Later, Edward the Elder passed the lands on the cathedral at York, and from then were passed between churches, hence the name 'Priest's Town' or Preston. The strategic location of the town, almost halfway between Glasgow and London, was crucial during wars, proven as decisive battles were fought here during the English Civil War, and the Jacobite rebellion. Served by the River Ribble, Preston was one of the most important towns of the county of Lancaster which aided the expansion of the city. The 19th century saw a period of new prosperity, as the town expanded from a small market town into an industrial one, aided by the invention of Richard Arkwright's water frame, which brought cotton mills to the north of England. The more oppressive side of the industrialisation came in August 1842, when 4 demonstrators were killed by the army during a protest against working conditions in the mills. Preston was granted city status in 2002 as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Preston is now a very cosmopolitan city, with a two large shopping centres, a large retail park next to the docks, and the UK's first Kentucky Fried Chicken. Preston is home to the Championship football side Preston North End. There are several museums and parks in the town, and points of interest nearby include the Ribble Steam Railway and the Forest of Bowland. Preston lies on the West Coast Main Line, and sees Virgin services from Scotland to London, as well as Virgin Cross Country services to the South Coast. Northern Rail operate services between Blackpool and towns including York, Buxton, Stockport and Liverpool. Transpennine Express operate services between Manchester Airport and Barrow/Windermere through Preston. Nearby towns include Blackpool, Blackburn, Fleetwood, Poulton-le-Fylde, Southport, Leyland, Chorley, Burnley, Accrington, Bolton and Wigan.
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