Homeward Bound: Why you should visit Preston

At uni, I am known for being the girl from Preston to the point that it has become an inside joke. If its meeting new people or meeting in the club if the topic of, where are you from comes up, I will proudly say ‘Preston’. Whether its family and friends, the food, the music scene/nightlife, the days out, Preston will always have a piece of my heart and is a place if you get the chance you should visit.

Preston is a diverse and working-class city, and this can be seen in its history, celebrations and community. For example, the food scene is incredible, from independent-run bakery or cafes such as ‘Ravenous’ where you can acquire a butter pie. You're probably wondering, what is that? Well, a butter pie comes from Preston’s Catholic history in the industrial age: as you were not allowed to eat meat on a Friday, the workers turned to a pie without any meat. If the sound of a butter pie doesn't tickle your fancy, there are many family run restaurants such as the Italian ‘Marino’s’ or Palestinian ‘Jaffa’. Despite it being a small city, it has a vast array of food.

If it’s a couple of drinks you desire, Preston has many pubs and bars including, the Adelphi, Northern Way or Chews Yard Community is at the centre of these places. If you're having a night out on the town with lots of exciting predrinks, Ships and Giggles is the place to go to try their duck shots. What are duck shots? Duck shots are a shot with a rubber duck on the top which you get to keep and collect. Once you have finished your duck shot, the club to go to is ‘The Warehouse’. With three floors, pop, RnB and metal, there is a place for everyone to have a boogie. And when you need a breather, you can go to one of the biggest smoking areas there is. Or if music is more your scene, there are variety of venues hosting DJs and independent bands from across both the country and the world. This includes my favourite, the Ferret, a four-day festival.

Or if alcohol isn’t for you, Preston offers great days out. The newly refurbished Harris museum which currently is hosting one of the best exhibitions of Wallace and Gromit with all the original memorable and drawings, as Nick Park, their creator, comes from Preston. The Guild Wheel, which is 21 miles, is a great cycle or walk which wraps around the city. Or if you enjoy a good park there is Avenham, Haslam, or Moor.

Overall, though I am very biased, Preston is a great place and has so much to offer and a community which never fails. Even if a job takes me away after university, I know I will always be excited to come back home and have a great day out in one of my favourite cities.