Prelon one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Firstly would suggest starting this route from Preston Bus Station as the return from Longridge is by bus only.
Agree with the other reviewers the route out of Preston isn't scenic, but following the dissused railway does make it more interesting than using the roads. There are a few examples of fly tipping around the Deepdale Retail Park area but the path soon improves as you progress onwards. The route picks up part of the Guild Wheel after crossing Bluebell Way. Following this takes you onto the busy B6243, however you can continue straight on signposted for Grimsargh and Longridge (see photo) The tarmac path takes a left turn, but you carry straight on onto a narrow footpath (see pointing finger photo)still following the remains of the dissused railway line. The dissused line soon becomes overgrown and impassable. Keep to the left of the line and follow its route until you come to some new houses just before the church. A clearly waymarked footpath (see photo) takes you past the new houses and returns you back to the B6423, cross the road and pickup the dissused railway line just before the narrow bridge. You can then follow this through to Grimsargh and continue the route. The route from Grimsargh to Longridge can be muddy in places, alternatively you can continue on the B6423/Longridge Rd to reach the final destination.

The route from Preston goes along the busy, mostly pedestrianised shopping centre, then after crossing the A6 via pelican crossings, it passes the prison, and continues along an uninspiring main road before eventually turning off to reach a slightly grotty path past a sports centre to join the cycle track. I found this two-mile section quite pleasant, although a little bit isolated for a city route, and it does have the odd patches of fly-tipping. However, mostly it is a quiet, tree lined, well-surfaced escape from the urban sprawl. A former railway station is visible at Gamull Lane shortly before crossing over the motorway.
It is possible to stay on the railway line a bit longer than this route says, but sadly, not all the way into Grimsargh, and it is necessary to use the pavement alongside the fairly busy B6243, until a tricky road crossing takes the route back onto the old railway line briefly, through a narrow strip of parkland. This comes out opposite The Plough pub. A narrow footpath goes down the side of this and leads to fields where the embankment of the railway line is obvious. However, the footpath leaves this and crosses several fields, via stiles. The route past Sudell’s Farm is not clear and is complicated by a footpath sign over a stile leading somewhere indiscernible, and by some earthworks with temporary fencing. Hopefully this will become clearer in time!
The footpath away from the industrial estate and on to Green Nook Lane was tricky to spot, but it leads to a pleasant route into Longridge, culminating, appropriately, at the former railway station, now a café.
An interesting and direct route, with potential for further improvement if more of the former railway line ever becomes accessible, but it was enjoyable seeing the various historic clues.

This is a reasonable and direct route between these two settlements, making good use of the abandoned railway line which joined them many years ago. The largely rural section between Longridge and Grimsargh is pleasant enough; it has a few potential obstacles, including stiles, unsurfaced tracks and livestock, but there is an alternative route on the paved footpaths alongside the B6243 between these two places.

Between Grimsargh and Preston, some sections of the old railway line are quite heavily littered/fly-tipped, poorly-lit and have an isolated feel; this detracts from what could be a more pleasant thoroughfare and may be uncomfortable for those who are more sensitive to personal security. If this is the case, diverting along the B6243 (Longridge Road/Ribbleton Avenue) to or from Redscar Business Park is an alternative.

The route into and out of Preston City Centre takes you along Ribbleton Lane - not one of Preston's most prestigious roads, but generally busy and safely walkable. The route also goes along Church Street, notable for its exuberant night life and Friargate, Preston's principal high street shopping area.

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